By Linda Lane
At a signing event with nine other incoming freshmen recruits, Rylie Richter of Vicksburg signed a letter of intent to play softball with Lawrence Technological University (LTU), in Southfield. The four-year athletic scholarship was offered by Coach Karen Baird. Richter will pitch for LTU in fall 2020 and spring 2021 as well as playing infield at third or first base.
Nearly a year ago, Richter made the trek to Southfield to practice with the LTU team. She received an offer two weeks later. “It was nerve-wracking but really fun to practice with the team,” Richter said. She felt confident after the practice when players struggled to hit her pitches. LTU is an NAIA Division II team, playing in the WHAC Conference. It will play Central Michigan, Sienna Heights, Michigan-Dearborn, Indiana Tech and other teams.
Richter played varsity softball for all four years while at Vicksburg High School. She has also played travel softball for the past eight years, most recently playing with the Indiana Shock team.
Richter also played volleyball with VHS as an outside hitter and middle back. She has been elected to the volleyball First Team All Conference, and First Team All Regional. She was nominated for All State, but hasn’t heard if she has achieved it.
“I’ve made life-long friends with team members on the softball and volleyball teams at Vicksburg. When you play sports for four years, you spend a lot of time together. It creates a special friendship. It’s been one of the greatest experiences of being in high school for me,” Richter said.
Richter plans to study arts and sciences at LTU, pursuing a medical degree. Her parents are Kelly and Dave Richter.