• Varsity Athletics
• Health & Phys. Ed. Department

BEREA, OHIO --  The “sophomore jinx” is known in sports as poor performance during the second year of competition at a new level.
        For her sophomore season, Baldwin-Wallace College softball pitcher KC Young (Olmsted Falls) has unfortunately put the "sophomore jinx" on her opponents while maintaining both her own composure and confidence.
        In 2003, Young has ascended as the top pitcher for the Yellow Jackets, currently 22-13 overall and 12-6 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.  Young leads the team with a 7-3 pitching record and is also first with a 1.67 earned run average and 72 strikeouts.
        “This is great season all-around, for myself and the team,” said Young, who also carries a 3.42 grade point average and is a candidate for both Academic All-OAC and Verizon Academic All-District IV accolades.   “It feels great to be a key contributor this year and a real part of our wins.”
        On April 15, at Ohio Northern, Young earned wins in both ends of an OAC doubleheader.  She pitched a three-hit shutout in the opener, winning 2-0.  She returned in the nightcap to secure a 5-4 comeback  win over the Polar Bears. At the plate, Young is batting .250 with five base hits in 20 at-bats with a double and two run batted-in.
        "K.C. is a fierce competitor," said Yellow Jacket veteran softball coach Joe Yocabet, a resident of Lakewood and member of the Greater Cleveland Softball Hall of Fame.  "Every time she goes out to the mound, she has her mind made up as to what she wants to accomplish.  She is focused and precise with her pitching.
        "K.C. is also an outstanding young woman who is both an asset in the classroom and on the bench," continued Yocabet.  "She is a real team player, cheering for her teammates on the bench.  She has a great attitude and is very supportive of all of her teammates.  She is just a joy to have in our program."
        Through her excellent performances on the mound, Young has helped the 2003 softball team into post-season play. The 2003 four-team OAC Tournament begins this Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, at regular season champion and nationally-ranked Muskingum College.
        "The OAC Tournament will be another great test for K.C. and our softball program," said Yocabet.  "When they played us here a couple of weeks ago, we did not have great success, bit in the game K.C. pitched, it was close until the end.  That gave both K.C. and our team confidence that if we can get a few breaks that we can beat Muskingum.  Again, it will be a great challenge, but not one that is out of the question."
        As a freshman in 2002, Young split time between junior varsity and varsity as a pitcher and earned her first varsity letter.  On the varsity, she compiled a 1-1 record with a 1.29 ERA in 16 and one-third innings pitched.
        "I would have liked to contribute more, but our other pitchers who were ahead of me on the depth chart had solid seasons, so it was tough to get time on the mound," said Young.  "I just did the best I could for the J.V. team and when I got a chance on varsity and waited for my opportunity."
        In high school, Young played softball for four years and earned four varsity letters at Olmsted Falls High School.  She also played tennis for four years and earned three letters.  In softball, she was a first-team All-District and second-team All-Region selection.  She also holds the O.F.H.S. career records for number of wins, lowest earned run average and most strikeouts.  As a senior, she was named the team Most Valuable Player.  In tennis, Young was the team captain as a senior and was named the team MVP as a junior and senior. 
        As a student-athlete at B-W, Young is a Dean’s List student, majoring in early childhood education and athletic coaching.  Young’s true aspiration is to continue playing softball after college, in either a professional or semi-pro program. 
        “I hope that I can improve and develop my game through the next three years so I can compete at higher levels,” said Young.  “No matter what happens, softball will always be a part of my life.”
        On-campus, Young has taken on leadership roles such as resident assistant and as an active member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.  She also competes, concurrently with softball in the spring, as a member of the B-W Crew Club team. 
        “I’m really busy this spring, with softball, crew and other responsibilities,” said Young.  “Good time management plays a big role as well as prioritizing my activities.  Right now, softball is my number one priority.”
        Young’s next move in life will literally take her to new heights.  Her father Doug Young, a former pilot, is teaching her how to fly a plane.  Their lessons are at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport where he works as an air traffic controller. 
        “My father is one of the most influential people in my life,” said Young.   “He’s taught me everything I know about softball and really brought me to  where I am today.  Most of all, he’s taught me how to be a leader and help people.  He’s one of the main reasons I decided to get into coaching.” With her future ambitions, Young realizes she may have to eventually leave Northeast Ohio.
        “I’d like to stay close to my family if possible,” said Young.  Young’s mother, Linda Young, is the Registrar at B-W.  “Right now, I have no set-plan for my future.  All I can afford to worry about is the OAC softball tournament next week.”