WINNEMUCCA - Half of the Lowry High School softball team infield will be taking the next step in their careers at colleges in Nevada and California.
Shortstop Madi Gonzalez signed a letter of intent to play for Western Nevada College in Carson City, while first baseman Taylor Johnson is following in her sister's steps and is headed for Lassen Community College in Susanville, Calif.
A leg injury this year has limited Gonzalez to playing in just 19 of the Lady Bucks' 27 games. Despite missing eight games, she is second on the team with 19 stolen bases and has only been caught stealing once. Gonzalez leads the team in batting average (.453), runs (26) and triples (six) and is second in hits with 29 and fourth in RBIs (17).
"I was getting nervous because I was about the only that had not found a college yet," said Gonzalez. "I am glad I picked Western Nevada and like the environment up there; it is close to home and close to Reno. It's a small campus and Leah (Wentworth, interim coach) sounded really nice and I was able to take a tour with the players and liked them."
Gonzalez was a first team, all-league selection at shortstop last year. The senior will likely see time in the middle infield and the outfield next year for the Wildcats. She has committed just three errors in 77 chances at shortstop and has a fielding percentage of .961.
Gonzalez added she wanted to go into child development and wants to be an elementary school teacher.
"Since it is just a two-year school I am looking to get a majority of the core stuff done," Gonzalez added. "I am excited about the next step but nervous at the same time."
Western Nevada College is a member of the Scenic West Athletic Conference along with Salt Lake Community College, College of Southern Idaho, Snow College, College of Southern Nevada, North Idaho College and Colorado Northwest Community College.
The Wildcats finished 21-28 overall and 16-29 in league play.
After splitting time at first base a season ago, Johnson has stepped into the first base role on a full-time basis this year and has started every game at the position. Johnson has been solid at the corner base and has not committed an error in the last 21 games. She has just four on the season on 168 chances with a .976 fielding percentage. The senior has 13 runs scored and 11 hits for the Lady Bucks.
"Softball has always been my first love and I like what Lassen had to offer," said Johnson. "My sister has played there the last two years so I familiar with the school and know the coaches and I was able to meet a couple of the girls that are returning."
The Cougars are coached by Glen Yonan and were 9-29 this season.
Lassen plays in the Golden Valley Conference along with Feather River College (Quincy, Calif.), Butte College (Oroville, Calif.), College of the Redwoods (Eureka, Calif.), Shasta College (Redding, Calif.) and College of the Siskiyous (Weed, Calif.).
Johnson also wants to go into teaching and will go into the special education field.
"I am going to try to get the classes I need to get done first," Johnson said. "My plan is to do my two years here and go on to a bigger four-year college. The coach wants me to play and hopefully get me to a bigger place. It is exciting for me and I am looking forward to start something new."
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