Photo by Jeff Helsel | Cal U of PA Sports Information Vulcans’ pitcher Ellie Lobdell is introduced at the season home opener at Lilley Field, California, Pa. on March 9.

Watching the effortless power Ellie Lobdell displays pitching, you may not believe she once preferred a different sport.

While the now California University of Pennsylvania sophomore was young, her older sister, Emily, was leading Warren to a District 10 softball title from the circle. Ellie, on the other hand, preferred volleyball.

Emily went on to play softball at NCAA Division II Slippery Rock, and Ellie went on to star at Warren herself, in volleyball and softball.

“When I was younger, I wasn’t that great at softball,” Ellie said. “I tried out for the all-star team and Warren travel teams for multiple years, but I didn’t make the teams. I decided to take a year off, then came back the next year to try again and I made the team. I definitely felt discouraged after not making the teams, but when I decided I really wanted to play, I started working harder and I finally got to where I wanted to be. This helped me realize that, when I want to do something, I can if I put in the work and effort to get better.”

Pitching in high school, she was twice named region Pitcher and Player of the Year, All-District, and All-State. She played for a competitive travel softball team, Erie Academa, and worked with area pitching coach Hugh Hillhouse.

Soon enough, Ellie was pitching as a freshman for DII-power California, for longtime head coach Rick Bertagnolli.

She’s come a long way in a short time.

“Growing up, I wasn’t that into playing sports myself, but I always loved going to the softball field to watch my sister play,” said Ellie. “My parents (Tom and Dottie Lobdell) started me out in Little League at a young age and have supported me through it all to this day. They always want the best for me and push me to be the best softball player and person that I can be. When I decided I wanted to be a pitcher, Emily helped me with the basic skills of pitching and would always catch for me and give me advice on how I can improve. She was a great pitcher all throughout high school and college and she has really inspired me with everything she does and the person she is.

“Pitching in college is completely different than pitching in high school,” said Ellie. “At Cal U, I am a part of a pitching team. We all complement each other really well and push each other to become better pitchers so that we have the best pitching staff that we can have for our team.”

As a freshman, Lobdell pitched in nine games for the Vulcans, starting seven, before COVID-19 hit. She had a 1.44 earned run average in 48.2 innings, striking out 28 with seven walks. This season, she’s 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA in 25.1 innings, striking out 26 with seven walks.

She’s no stranger to the competitive stage.

“I definitely loved volleyball more for most of my life,” said Ellie. “I started playing on a travel volleyball team at a very young age and instantly fell in love with it. My sophomore year of high school is when I started playing on a high-level travel softball team and I got to see competition that I’ve never seen before. I loved how intense the tournaments and games were that I got to play in, and I realized that I wanted to continue playing at a high level of softball in college.

“Some of my greatest sports memories were getting third in states for the Little League all-star team in 2012, and receiving state runner-up for volleyball my senior year,” she added. “My biggest inspirations, in addition to my family, are Sis Bates, who plays for the University of Washington, and Haley Cruse, who plays for the University of Oregon. They both dominate on the field and are great leaders to look up to.”

Another plays on the same diamond, and did for a season in high school, too.

“I have always looked up to Paige (Wilson) and the player that she is,” said Ellie. “She has always been a great leader on and off the field. Paige was one of my biggest supporters in high school and that support is still just as strong today. She is a great player and is an even better teammate.”

Ellie is also looked up to.

“It has been incredible to see Ellie grow from dazzling a crowd as a little princess, waltzing into a gym in costume gowns and crowns, to now as a confident pitcher on the mound,” said her sister, Emily. “I will always be amazed by her and couldn’t be more proud.”

Lobdell, Wilson and the rest of the Lady Vulcans (5-3) — including sophomore Kira Hillhouse (McDowell) — host Clarion in a doubleheader today at Lilley Field, beginning at 1 p.m.