When Paige Prather moved to Evansville six years ago, moving back to southern Illinois was always in the back of her mind.
That wish came to fruition after Prather accepted a scholarship to play softball at Rend Lake College after pitching for Central High School in Evansville.
"Paige moved here from the Ina area about six years ago, so going to Rend Lake College and playing softball for the Warriors has always been something in the back of her mind," Central coach David George said. "She will have family nearby and that was a huge factor in her decision along with playing for a highly respected coach like coach Ellingsworth."
Prather was 2-1 with a 2.90 ERA pitching for Central last season, striking out 31 in 38 innings. Central was Southern Indiana Athletic Conference champions as well as Evansville City champions.
"She is her own worst critic when things aren't going as well as she would like, but at the same time she can bring comic relief to the team when we have those tough moments," George said. "Since she is 5 foot 9 with long arms, Paige thinks of herself as more of a power pitcher with a fastball in the mid 50s, but she's learning to change speeds very well and add movement, so I look for big things from her in her senior season."
George said Prather will be missed at Central.
"Paige will be deeply missed both on and off the field in the Central High School community," he said. "Our loss is certainly Rend Lake's gain."
Paige is the daughter of the late Keith Prather and Dayna and J.R. Keller. She is the granddaughter of Mick and Brenda Spotanski of Sesser.
