Ex-Outlaws softball player tearing up NWAACC

Former Lady Outlaw Dara Kosanke is taking giant steps toward her goal of playing Division-1 softball. And quite possibly sooner than later.

To say her transition from standout softball player at Sisters High School to Walla Walla Community College softball was easy might be an understatement. Then again, for those who know Kosanke, it's not been surprising.

"Dara is the complete player," said WWCC Coach Mike Staudenmaier. "She constantly continues to want to learn and become the best that she can be. Not only can she help a team in the circle, but she is a very good outfielder and she can swing the bat."

As the season headed into its home stretch, Kosanke finds herself among the hitting and pitching leaders in the 29-team Northwest Athletic Associate of Community Colleges. In many instances, she tops the list - much the way she did her senior season at Sisters High School, when she led the Lady Outlaws to a Sky-Em League title and earned league Player of Year honors, as well as first-team All-State honors.

Despite the step up in competition, her stats are comparable to the many prep standards she set in 2010 in leading the state in most hitting categories and among the top in victories and strikeouts.

"Softball was a focal part of my life back in high school, and that hasn't changed now that I'm in college," said Kosanke, who is hitting a robust .585 and has 24 RBI from the leadoff spot in her freshman season.

Kosanke has led her Lady Warriors of Walla Walla Community College to a 31-10 record and tied for the lead in the NWAACC's East Division standings with a 21-5 mark. She is among the league leaders in batting average, base hits, doubles, triples, stolen bases, runs scored, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs batted in and home runs.

"I'm not surprised one bit," said former Marist coach Bob Hammitt. "She has all the things that make for a high-caliber player: speed, strength, quickness and most of all desire. She's a game changer."

It's not just the offensive side of the sport where she is helping WWCC. Kosanke is second in the NWAACC in strikeouts and victories.

While those who have seen Kosanke play aren't surprised, the modest 18-year-old is.

"There's no doubt I'm surprised. I never imagined I would be anything more than a speedy leadoff batter," said Kosanke, who is also carrying an A average in the classroom. "Now I can also knock the ball around the field when I need to. I don't mean this to sound arrogant, because I don't think there was anyone as surprised as I was. I think the greatest surprise for me was what brought me to this level: the increase in energy and the spirit of competition that I'm surrounded by is astonishing. I'm doing what I can to rise to meet and surpass that level."

WWCC wasn't Kosanke's first option, but that option never materialized in the form of a D-1 scholarship. Her dream is pretty simple - to play D-1 softball. Thus, WWCC became a good decision.

Kosanke "scared off" a few schools with her desire to pitch D-1. Several said she was a D-1 athlete, but not quite ready to be a D-1 pitcher. She had several scholarship offers from D-2 and NAIA programs.

"Had I decided to attend a four-year college in Oklahoma, or any of the other ones that were recruiting me, my hopes and dreams of attending a D-1 college would have been washed away," said Kosanke. "Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with D-2 and the coaches and players there do some incredible things; but I don't settle. So, coming to a two-year college was my best option so I could get the added instruction and exposure that I needed.

"This was the best decision I could have made with the circumstances I was blessed with. With a bit of luck and a heavy combo of both hard work and determination I know I can get there."