Conkle helps WLU win MEC Softball Tournament
Riley Conkle
Riley Conkle, a 2019 graduate of Coshocton High School, is making a splash playing softball for West Liberty University.
In high school, Conkle played several positions on the field. She was at second base as a freshman and short stop as a sophomore. Her junior year, she played at short stop and pitched and as a senior, she mostly pitched, but also played first base and short stop a few times. At West Liberty, she plays third base. She and the West Liberty team ended their season at 37-17 and made it to the NCAA Division 2 Atlantic region tournament.
“I’ve been playing since I was 7-8 years old. I have always enjoyed the game. You get to be with a group of girls that have the same goal as you do. I love that you get to be on the field with all of your friends and having a good time but still getting done what needs to be done,” Conkle said. “This game has brought me some of my closest friends.”
Conkle said she doesn’t really have a favorite position, but that she really loves the infield. “The infield always has you on your toes and you have to be ready for anything at any time.”
She also said that playing softball has taught her a lot. “It’s taught me how to work with other people. It’s not a one-man sport – everyone has to work together to get the end result you want. It’s also taught me you can’t dwell on the past. If something doesn’t go the way you want it, you have to keep your head up and get ready for what’s to come next.”
Conkle said there is a big difference in playing softball in college versus high school. “I always excelled in high school, and I do in college as well, but it’s definitely a harder fight for that starting lineup. The competition is a lot stronger. You come into college thinking you’re really good at this sport, but in reality, so is everyone else that comes to college to play. I feel like that’s with any sport.”
She is the daughter of Angel Jones and Eric Underwood and Jeremy and Tiffany Conkle. She is majoring in elementary education with a minor in special education and has been inducted into Kappa Delta Pi. She has also been on the academic honor roll.
