Brokeshoulder signs with Tech...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

I haven’t known former Shawnee star softball pitcher Ashley Brokeshoulder her whole life – it just feels that way.

I jumped on board in Shawnee after her freshman season and realized early on that she was indeed the real deal.

After some hiccups, Brokeshoulder and the Wolves put it together and reached the Class 5A state final last season, losing to Lawton MacArthur.

And then the recruiting game began and what a long and arduous one it became before Brokeshoulder signed with Texas Tech last month. When she was a sophomore, Brokeshoulder had her sights set on Georgetown to help build a program and Washington to help solidify a program.

Well, needless to say after Washington and Danielle Lawrie won the Women’s College World Series, the Huskies program doesn’t need any validation.

But Brokeshoulder’s father, Eddie, said Washington still had tremendous interest in Ashley but nothing could be done.

SEC schools like Georgia and Arkansas also showed heavy interest as did several Big 12 schools.

Brokeshoulder enjoyed her visit to Tech and despite a coaching change late in the game, decided to stick it out.

Eddie said he has happy with the decision that was made, especially with Ashley staying in the Big 12, which will give her a chance to come home a time or two.

Looking ahead for Shawnee, it won’t be easy to replace Brokeshoulder. Sidni Boyer will definitely lead the offensive charge with her speed and productivity, but the Wolves will need to find another arm, and there aren’t too many like Brokeshoulder out there.