LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. Ohio — Kianah Towe has probably seen more softball than her Lakota East coach Steve Castner this spring.
That is not surprising to Castner, who knows he can rely on his standout pitcher in any situation.
Towe, a four-year varsity letter winner, will often watch Greater Miami Conference opponents’ games in person or on YouTube and study players’ tendencies at the plate. She could probably rattle off the batting orders for at least half the GMC.
“She is very committed,” Castner said. “You know they say there are gym rats? She is a softball field rat.”
Towe, 18, will graduate with her classmates Thursday night in a ceremony at Cintas Center. She will continue her academic and softball career at University of Missouri-St. Louis on a scholarship.
Towe plans to study sports management with interest in becoming an athletic director and also college coaching at some point. She’s discussed her possible career path with Lakota East Athletic Director Rich Bryant.
“Over the last four years no one has worked harder at their craft than Kianah,” Bryant said. “She constantly puts in the time and effort to be great. I really feel that her work ethic, drive and personable attitude are strong traits for a career in athletic administration.”
All the time and energy Towe has invested into softball has produced excellent results. She and her teammates hope this season is not close to being finished.
“She is just focused,” said her father Larry Towe. “Her big objective is to go to state. She wants to leave a legacy at Lakota East.”
Towe has been pitching since she was 8 and her commitment the past 10 years is obvious. She opted to watch UMSL this spring in St. Louis instead of attending prom.
Towe also keeps mental scouting notes in mind when watching high school or summer league teams.
“Kianah has been very self-driven throughout the whole thing,” her mother Missie Reese said. “She would rather be practicing or watching softball than anything else.”
Lakota East (24-1), ranked No. 3 in the Division I state coaches’ poll, defeated Edgewood 2-1 in a sectional final Monday night. Lakota East plays Kings in a district final Saturday afternoon.
Towe was named the LaRosa’s MVP of the Week last week among her many highlights this spring.
"Kianah's performance this spring has been extremely impressive," UMSL coach Brian Levin said. "She brings a tenacity and will to win that fits in well with our program. She has a tremendous knowledge of the game and works hard on her craft."
Towe is 15-1 with eight shutouts, 158 strikeouts and an 0.88 ERA in 103 innings. Her curveball and screwball continue to improve. Her riseball has been consistent. Her teammates trust her leadership.
“Being around the game so much she has seen so many situations and she is just a better player because of that,” Castner said. “She has grown so much since freshman year until now in the way she approaches the game. She just gets on that mound and she wants it.”
Earlier this season, Towe had 13 strikeouts in a 10-0 win over Sycamore. She also went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, triple and three RBI.
Towe had a one-hitter with 16 strikeouts in a 5-0 win over Lakota West. She had 10 strikeouts against Fairfield and 12 against Oak Hills.
“It’s already been a great year,” Towe said. “It’s been fast. There has never been a time in my life in one season where I’ve been able to say, ‘Wow I just pitched the best game of my life’” Towe said. “And that happened this year – the first game against (Lakota) West.”
Towe loves hitting, pitching and fielding, not to mention the adrenaline rush of playing against the likes of Lakota West and Mason. Softball is a significant part of her life.
“Oh gosh, I love this game,” Towe said. “It makes me really happy when I get out on the field.”
Castner undoubtedly knows when he puts the softball in her hands, Towe will give her best effort.
"I know I can always count on her," Castner said.
Mike Dyer is an award-winning high school sports reporter who has covered the Tri-State area since 2004. Contact him with questions or news tips through Twitter @MikeDyer or on his Facebook page: Mike Dyer-Journalist.
