Jonathan Alder’s Emily Walker watches the flight of her hit during the 2019 Division II state semifinal game at Akron Firestone Stadium. Walker will continue her softball career at Ohio University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
There has long been a sense that Jonathan Alder infielder Emily Walker would go on to play Division I college softball.
The only question was just where that would be.
Walker, who helped the Lady Pioneers capture the 2019 Division II state championship, had several big-time programs on her radar.
“I had looked at Michigan State, Louisville and Pittsburgh,” she said. “However, Ohio University was always my No. 1 choice.”
Walker signed with the Bobcats during a ceremony at the school last fall.
“I went to a softball camp at OU when I was in the eighth grade,” said the Pioneer shortstop. “I saw some deer on campus during my visit and just fell in love with the area.
“I also liked the fact my mom went to Ohio University.”
After her signing, Walker was looking forward to her senior season of 2020.
She had been a member of an Alder program that advanced to the state Final Four in each of her first three seasons.
A shot at a fourth consecutive trip and an opportunity to defend the state title vanished with the coronavirus pandemic.
“It was very disappointing we couldn’t play our senior season,” said Walker. “Who would have thought something like this (COVID-19) would have happened and that our last time together would be the state championship game?”
Walker’s final high school diamond season saw her make huge contributions to the team that posted a 30-1 record.
She finished with a .443 batting average, was second on the team with seven homers (Jillian Jakse led with 15) and drove in 40 runs.
Walker had a .525 on-base percentage and swiped 19 bases.
The former Pioneer star will be joining a veteran Lady Bobcat squad in the fall.
OU posted an 11-15 record before the virus shut down sports in March for the remainder of the spring.
The only senior listed on the team’s 2020 roster was outfielder Alexa Holland.
Ohio University has a veteran shortstop in junior Katie Yun.
With that in mind, Walker, who will study exercise science, knows she has a lot of hard work in her future.
“I’m going to be a freshman again,” she said. “I’m starting all over, but I’m excited.
“There are a lot of good athletes on the OU team and I’m going to have to work hard to earn playing time.”
Although Walker is looking ahead to the future, she can’t help but think back to her three seasons on the Jonathan Alder diamond.
“We went to the state Final Four all three years,” she said. “That was just amazing.”