Live Oak senior to pursue softball at Purdue
MORGAN HILL
Sarah Locarnini, a three-sport Varsity athlete, has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Locarnini was recruited by several other colleges, including UNLV, University of Northern Iowa, and San Jose State, making the decision a tough one.
A senior at Live Oak High School, Locarnini, 17, has been a lifetime Morgan Hill resident.
She has played softball since she was five-years old, beginning her career with Spirit of Morgan Hill and moving on to more competitive softball with Pride, Lynx, Sting and the Strikkers.
She has traveled all over the United States playing competitive softball, competing at the national level in Colorado, South Dakota and Oklahoma.
As a lefthanded slapper, Locarnini can hit for power and has speed on the bases.
In 2005, she helped the Live Oak softball team clinch the Central Coast Section Division 1 Championship with her stellar performance as leadoff hitter and superb defense at second base.
Her accolades have continued through the years, topped this past season with being selected as the Mt. Hamilton Division League MVP.
She was also a First-team Mercury News All-CCS selection.
Locarnini finished the 2006-07 season with the most assists, and over a .400 batting average with the most plate appearances on the team.
Locarnini also played Varsity field hockey for four years, and is currently in her fourth year on the varsity soccer team.
When asked why she pursued softball, Locarnini said she feels softball is her strongest sport and has excelled there.
She watched her two older sisters play for years and it came naturally to her.
Her favorite position is second base-because she likes the action, whether covering the middle of the field or taking a bunt.
Barry McDonnell, Live Oak Varsity Softball head coach, has watched Locarnini grow through the years.
As a freshman, McDonnell knew she was a special player and one of the most talented he has ever coached.
“She is a real pleasure to coach,” McDonnell said. “Her aggressive dynamic and competitive heart drives her. Everything she does, she does well and I look forward to her stepping up and being our leader on the team this year. Her quickness, knowledge of the game and perception of what is going to happen and needs to happen is a very important attribute that she brings to our team.”
Sarah plans to major in Sports Management while at Purdue.
Purdue is in the Big Ten, which means Locarnini will likely face former South Valley standout softball players Kim Reeder (Notre Dame Salinas) from Ohio State and Jackie Hill (Leigh) at Penn State.
