NEW BOSTON, Texas - New Boston senior Carlee Ratcliff's prep career was cut short this spring, but starting this summer, Ratcliff will be playing for her state.
Ratcliff signed a national letter of intent to play softball at the University of Texas.
"Texas is awesome," Ratcliff said. "I was committed to Iowa State, but I had a few different options and Texas was the best fit for me. The coaching staff is amazing."
She said the UT softball program is headed in the right direction.
"In the end, I had to go with my gut and that was my gut," she said.
Ratcliff finished her junior season with 12 home runs, 15 doubles and 53 RBI. Before the season was canceled, Ratcliff led the Lady Lions to a 2-0 district softball record.
"Everything that's went on is pretty amazing," she said. "New Boston is a smaller town, so people wouldn't think good athletes are there. Making the transition from New Boston to Austin is something I'm going to have to get used to. "
With being a Division 1 softball player comes a unspoken responsibility to help the younger athletes where you're from.
"Being able to be a role model to girls that play softball around here means everything in the world to me," Ratcliff said. "Sometime, someone will come up to me and ask me about Texas, and it's amazing to be able to share some of that with them. Whenever someone asks me about tips or anything they need to be successful, I want to help them in any way I can. I want to help the girls coming after me as much as possible."
Ratcliff is the daughter of Kelly and John Ratcliff.
"My parents are proud of me and I owe them so much,"she said. "I'm very thankful for them."
Ratcliff also credits her coaches at New Boston High School for her athletic development the past three years.
"Coach BJ Brown never gave up on me," Ratcliff said. "He pushed me to get the best out of me. Coach Michael Hill also coached me in basketball and pushed me to be the best player I could be. Coach Brown would get to your limits but he would never quit on you. He was amazing."
Ratcliff disliked her shortened senior season, but ultimately realizes she will be playing softball on the biggest stage after graduation.
"I've worked my whole life for this season," Ratcliff said. "My entire high school career was leading up to this season. I feel like seniors nationwide were robbed this year. It's extremely heartbreaking. I look forward to playing for the University of Texas but losing this season hurt. My sole focus is being ready for when I have to report."