COLLEGE SOFTBALL: OWEGO’S DONOVAN STEPPING SOUTH OF THE BORDER (2023-06-06)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — Natalie Donovan is heading south, not far mind you, but south all the same.

The Owego outfielder inked the paperwork to play with Keystone College in Pennsylvania, which is less than 1 ½ hours away, during a mass signing Tuesday afternoon.

“I chose Keystone because of its small size and beautiful campus, and their softball program has new amazing opportunities coming soon,” she said.

“I plan on working hard and being dedicated at softball this summer and all four years with my amazing teammates that I already love!” she said.

“Natalie is the player everyone wants on their roster,” Owego head coach Elise Fortier said. “She serves as a great bat, outfielder and utility player wherever her team needs her. She is hardworking, a great teammate and demands the best out of herself every pitch.

“Natalie can get frustrated with herself at times, but only because she expects more from herself and will do anything for the team as a whole.”

Donovan batted .353 (18-for-51) for the Indians (8-8) this season with two doubles, a triple, 14 runs, 12 RGI and two walks. She was second on the team in stolen bases with a perfect 9-for-9 effort.

She also carried an .809 OPS (on-base plus slugging), which is the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage.Donovan also had a .909 fielding percentage, sixth among players with 10 or more chances.

“Anyone who has the pleasure to not only have Natalie on a softball roster but a part of any team-like environment is gaining quite the asset!” Fortier said.

Donovan plans to work hard in the classroom as well as she will be double majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

The Eagles went 10-22 overall this spring, but were 9-7 in Colonial States Athletic Conference play, finishing fourth in the standings.