Donna Conrad Chooses University of Albany

Donna Conrad got an early start in building her softball career. She remembers her dad, Karl, taking her out to the backyard for a game of catch when she was just a four-year-old.

Through middle school and high school, she seems to have never lost that young love for the game, and after having made her mark on the Hillsborough High School softball team, she's ready to take her game to the next level: college softball at the University of Albany.

"I'm very excited," she said after signing her letter of intent for UA, Wednesday. "They've been successful and they're looking to win their conference and move on to the regionals, which they've done in the past."   

When Donna gets there after graduation, they'll likely soon take advantage of her scoring potential to help achieve that goal. As a junior, she scored 15 runs, batted in another 30 and left the season with a .316 batting average.

Donna added she chose the school because of its outstanding Communications Department, which is what she plans to major in.

"I really liked the coaches, the program and the school itself," she added.

Donna also plays on the Top Gun Fastpitch travel team, and said Top Gun Coach Larry Yard has had a huge role in her success, as well as Top Gun's Pat McInaw and HHS Head Coach Cheryl Iaione.

But she said it's her dad and his hours of patient backyard catch that keyed it all.

"My dad has literally taught me everything I know," she said. "He's been amazing."

Wednesday, with her dad, as well as her mother, Dina, and brother, Karl, beside her, she prepared to sign with her letter of intent to play at the University of Albany. She said she "absolutely love to play softball," and added, "I think it's taught me about other things besides playing the game."