Photo courtesy of Jeff Parkin Warren senior Kelsey Stuart has 14 wins and a save – including one of her own wins – with a 1.45 earned run average. She has also recorded 132 strikeouts in 100•innings, allowing 79 hits and just 14 walks.

“That’s just who she is. She’s going to be successful at whatever she wants to do,” Warren softball coach Carissa Stuart said of her senior pitcher and daughter, Kelsey Stuart.

From the first time she stepped on to a softball diamond – or a basketball court — Kelsey has stood out. It wasn’t through her words; you could tell just by the look on her face, she was different.

“We could tell she had that competitive nature that would turn her into a good, aggressive player in whatever sport she was playing,” said Carissa. “She’s grown over the years to be that player you can always count on. She’s taking on the role of being a leader and stepping up big when her team needs her the most. I know her success through high school athletics will definitely carry through into college.”

Stuart’s high school success on the diamond was delayed due to COVID, but you could see glimpses as a starting outfielder on varsity, and junior varsity pitcher, as a freshman and sophomore. When four-year starting pitcher Ellie Lobdell graduated and moved on to pitch for D2 California University of Pennsylvania, it was Stuart’s time to shine. And she was ready.

Then, COVID completely took away Kelsey’s junior season. But Stuart doesn’t shy away from a challenge.

On Saturday, the left-hander threw 14 innings of one-run ball, striking out 19, in a doubleheader sweep of Fort LeBoeuf, 2-0 and 2-1. She’s led Warren to a 14-2 overall record with the Dragons’ only two losses by one run each to Villa Maria. Warren is in second place to Villa in District 10’s Region 5 at 11-2.

On the season, Stuart has 14 wins and a save – saving one of her own wins – with a 1.45 earned run average. She has 132 strikeouts in 100•innings, allowing 79 hits and just 14 walks.

At the plate, the No. 3 hitter is batting .471 (24-for-51) with a home run, eight doubles, and 16 RBIs in 16 games.

With the playoffs fast approaching, Stuart is no stranger to the big stage. She’s been to two D10 softball championship games in two seasons, and has been on the winning side of two D10 basketball championship games.

It’s no surprise that Stuart will play softball in college.

“The coach for Penn State DuBois first reached out to me during quarantine last year in April and said he was interested in me and wanted to see if I was a nice fit for his team,” said Stuart. “I went on an unofficial visit in October of 2020 and really fell in love with the campus. The field I will be playing on is beautiful and everyone was very welcoming. The minute my parents and I got back into the car, I told them that I really liked the college and that I wanted to go there. I was later accepted into the college in December, but as you know I did not sign until late April due to the COVID restrictions and the college softball season. Before Penn State DuBois was in my line of vision, I had a few colleges I was looking at, including Lock Haven University, Clarion University, and Saint Vincent College.”

Mom knew right away that Penn State DuBois was the right fit.

“I’m so excited Kelsey has chosen to go to Penn State DuBois,” she said. “It’s an excellent school and softball program. Their team is currently in the USCAA Small College World Series, which is actually being held in Dubois. The facility they use for their program is similar to that of a D1 program.”

There are always pros and cons.

“One advantage to going to PSD is that it is not far away from home and I could come back on any given day if I needed to,” said Kelsey. “One disadvantage is that I always dreamed about going to college in or near a big city.”

What she loves most about softball will be the same wherever she plays.

“What is it about softball that I love so much? Easy, I love meeting new people, watching little girls learn how to play at a young age, helping those little girls with anything they might need, and honestly just playing with my friends,” Kelsey said. “Both softball and basketball have influenced my life in countless ways. Both sports have trained me to be strong mentally when things are not going my way, or when the game is on the line. Basketball has pushed me to be more physically fit because if you are tired the entire game, then you are not going to play to your fullest potential. Softball, on the other hand, has trained me to be more comfortable with being the center of attention.”

Her basketball coach will surely miss her.

“It is hard to put into words what Kelsey means to me personally and to our program,” said Warren basketball coach Lisa LaVan. “She is such a fierce competitor on the court and diamond, yet has the softest heart. She has helped to take our program to another level with her leadership and dedication. She has changed my life for the better and for that I am grateful. She is bound for greatness!”

Her strong support system starts at home.

“My parents (Dave and Carissa) have merged me into the young woman I am today, and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done for me, from waking up at 4 or 5 a.m. to take me to a tournament to forming me into the player and person I am today,” said Kelsey. “My parents have always coached me, whether it be during a game or behind the scenes. Some of my favorite sports memories include placing third in states in Little League all-stars, winning two D10 titles (in basketball), all the tournaments, all the practices, the dinners, and the laughs I have shared with my teammates.

“My brother and sister (Tanner and Alana) are definitely my biggest influences,” said Kelsey. “They are my best friends. They are a big reason why I want to become a teacher, because I love teaching kids new things and watching them try hard to master anything and everything they can. They are my rock, and I cannot thank them enough for putting up with me.”

They have done it together.

“Over the years, I have put more time into pitching than you probably could fathom,” said Kelsey. “My family and I have YMCA memberships and most of the time, if we are not at the softball fields or the basketball courts, you can find us at the YMCA working on perfecting my pitching (and sister Alana, an eighth-grader at Beaty, too).”

COVID may have slowed her down, but is hasn’t stopped her.

“Making this transition through COVID has probably been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do because I could not even tour the entire campus when I was there because of all the restrictions,” Kelsey said of Penn State DuBois. “Looking at pictures online just is not the same, and as much as I wanted to have the normal college experience, this is now the new normal and it just does not do it justice. I knew that I was going to attend Penn State DuBois in December of last year. I am going to be studying Human Development and Family Studies, and later on I want to have my credentials to become an elementary school teacher.

“Ten years from now, I hope to be living the life. No matter where I am or who I am with, I want to be happy. Being happy is my number-one priority. I hope to have at least three children and have a well-paid teaching job. I want to live outside of a big city where it is warm.”

She’ll be successful wherever she’s at.

“Kelsey is the type of person that doesn’t like to be the center of attention. We all know, as a pitcher, that’s exactly what you are, the center of attention,” said her father, Dave. “I think she does it like a true champion. Nothing that goes on, on the field, really ever affects her and the way she plays the game and her focus. I believe it may have to do with the countless hours of drills and live pitching. No matter if it’s raining, snowing or sun shining outside, she finds a place to get her work in, whether it be doing drills in the basement, the gym, or even the racquetball room at the Y. As for her as a person, I couldn’t be more proud of the young lady she has become. She’s a great teammate, friend, and last but absolutely not least, a wonderful daughter with a gigantic heart. I couldn’t be more proud of who she has become.”