Local softball stars have many destinations post-high school

Time flies. Just ask some of the area’s top graduating softball players who four years ago hit the diamond at their respective high schools hoping to earn a spot on varsity – or maybe even a starting role.Today those same players are facing the prospect of being freshmen all over again. Some know they’ll be playing at the college level, some hope to play and others have opted to put the glove away and focus on some of the other things college life has to offer.St. Mary’s, fresh off its second Division 3 state title in a row, graduated seven starters, including pitcher Sam Kiley, who has been the Spartans’ bread and butter on the mound during both tournament runs. Kiley is heading to Babson, where she plans to play.Erin McAndrews, The Item’s Player of the Year as a junior, will play at Sacred Heart University. Catcher Katie Collins is hoping to play at Salem State and centerfielder Maria Nazzaro (Lesley University) is looking to play both softball and volleyball at the college level. Brittany Hanscom (Barry University) is undecided, according to St. Mary’s coach Colleen Newbury. Kristina Burri (Suffolk University) and Michelle Macchione (Northeastern University) aren’t playing.The English High softball team is losing three of its big guns to graduation – catcher Cara Crowley, pitcher Tiffany Drown and centerfielder Val Fiaccaprile. Crowley, the Northeastern Conference North Most Valuable Player, is off to St. Anselm College in New Hampshire, where she plans to play.”I know she’s going to grow as a player,” English coach Alisa Fila said. “I can’t wait to see what kind of ballplayer she becomes at the college level.”Drown is heading to Salem State and according to Fila, she plans to try out. Fiaccaprile is off to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Fila wasn’t sure about her plans.Classical, the Northeastern Conference North champion this season, loses two starters – pitcher Jenny Garrity and second baseman Fallon Gaudet. Garrity shared pitching duties this season and still managed to ring up a 9-1 record. She also hit over .400. Garrity is heading to Emmanuel College, where she plans to play softball. Gaudet, who led the Rams with four home runs, is looking to play at Curry College.”It’s good to go out and watch former players play (in college) ? It’s nice to see them do well and I think it helps the younger girls (who might be thinking of playing at the next level),” Classical coach Chris Warren saidPeabody, which battled it out with Classical all season for the top spot in the NEC North, is losing a couple of seniors, including Nicole Wilson. Wilson, who did the bulk of the Tanner pitching since midway through her freshman year, is going to Salem State and plans to try out for the team. Amanda Smith, another graduating senior, is off to Stonehill, but she is still recovering from a knee injury and won’t be looking to try out her freshman year, Peabody coach Butch Melanaphy said.Swampscott pitcher Kirstin Vinal is also heading to Stonehill, but Big Blue coach Frank Kowalski didn’t think she was looking to play. Vinal shared the spotlight in the circle with Cortney Fletcher, who will be at Phillips Andover Academy next year. Kowalski said Fletcher is looking to play softball in college. Catcher Moe Bradley, who is also an ice hockey goalie, will be attending a prep school next year with the hope of playing college hockey.Lynnfield’s Abby Tobin is heading to Wheaton College, but she’s looking to play soccer. Bishop Fenwick pitcher Alyssa Begin will be playing at Framingham State College and her batterymate, catcher Amanda McInnis, is heading to Salem State, where she’s also hoping to play.Some other local softball players who have been regulars in the sports section this spring include Marblehead’s Silvie Cohen (University of Michigan) and Emma Crowley (University of Vermont). Joanna Zecha of Danvers is heading to Stonehill and Winthrop catcher Abby Belcher is off to Norwich University.