Rio Grande News
Holy Name High School softball standout Ariel Roder poses with her parents and coaches after signing to play at Rio Grande
Mon, Aug. 20, 2012 - [Softball]
Rio Grande Sports Information
PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio - University of Rio Grande head softball coach Kristen Bradshaw has announced the signing of Holy Name High School's Ariel Roder for the 2013 season.
Roder, a 3B/OF, led head coach Mike Horonzy's club to a 20-6 record earlier this spring. The Green Wave reached the Division II district quarterfinals before being eliminated with a loss to Bay Village Bay. Roder capped her senior season at Holy Name by being named as the team's Most Valuable Player, while also earning MVP honors from the North Coast League.
"I'm full of excitement, but I'm also very anxious and nervous to begin the season," Roder said. "This opportunity is really once in a lifetime and it's great to know that all my hard work has paid off. I'm excited to experience collegiate-level softball."
Bradshaw, no doubt, is hoping that Roder's transition will be a smooth one.
"I'm so excited to add Ariel to our team this year," she said. "She is a very hard worker with a great attitude. I think she'll make an immediate impact on this team and her bat will add power to our lineup."
The 5-foot-6 Roder enjoyed a big year at the plate for Holy Name, batting .494 (38-for-77) and finishing with a .922 slugging percentage. She had six home runs to go along with six doubles, six triples and 31 runs batted in.
Roder also scored 33 runs and drew 11 walks, while striking out just five times.
"I always wanted to play as long as I could. I never wanted to quit," Roder said, referring to the opportunity to continue her career. "I always believed I could do it and I proved that it could happen….that it's not just a dream. I reached my goal."
Roder, who plans to major in psychology, chose to sign with the RedStorm over the initial idea of a walk-on attempt with nearby NCAA Division I Cleveland State University.
Clearly, she's comfortable with her decision.
"The opportunities are endless here at Rio," said Roder. "Individually, and as a team, I just felt like we can be successful and achieve great things."
As for personal goals, Roder is keeping things simple.
"I hope that I can contribute all that I can to be a great team," she said. "My goal would be to keep pushing myself to be better than I was the day before. A great player will always keep practicing to improve."
She is the daughter of Mike and Dawn Roder of Parma Heights.
PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio - University of Rio Grande head softball coach Kristen Bradshaw has announced the signing of Holy Name High School's Ariel Roder for the 2013 season.
Roder, a 3B/OF, led head coach Mike Horonzy's club to a 20-6 record earlier this spring. The Green Wave reached the Division II district quarterfinals before being eliminated with a loss to Bay Village Bay. Roder capped her senior season at Holy Name by being named as the team's Most Valuable Player, while also earning MVP honors from the North Coast League.
"I'm full of excitement, but I'm also very anxious and nervous to begin the season," Roder said. "This opportunity is really once in a lifetime and it's great to know that all my hard work has paid off. I'm excited to experience collegiate-level softball."
Bradshaw, no doubt, is hoping that Roder's transition will be a smooth one.
"I'm so excited to add Ariel to our team this year," she said. "She is a very hard worker with a great attitude. I think she'll make an immediate impact on this team and her bat will add power to our lineup."
The 5-foot-6 Roder enjoyed a big year at the plate for Holy Name, batting .494 (38-for-77) and finishing with a .922 slugging percentage. She had six home runs to go along with six doubles, six triples and 31 runs batted in.
Roder also scored 33 runs and drew 11 walks, while striking out just five times.
"I always wanted to play as long as I could. I never wanted to quit," Roder said, referring to the opportunity to continue her career. "I always believed I could do it and I proved that it could happen….that it's not just a dream. I reached my goal."
Roder, who plans to major in psychology, chose to sign with the RedStorm over the initial idea of a walk-on attempt with nearby NCAA Division I Cleveland State University.
Clearly, she's comfortable with her decision.
"The opportunities are endless here at Rio," said Roder. "Individually, and as a team, I just felt like we can be successful and achieve great things."
As for personal goals, Roder is keeping things simple.
"I hope that I can contribute all that I can to be a great team," she said. "My goal would be to keep pushing myself to be better than I was the day before. A great player will always keep practicing to improve."
She is the daughter of Mike and Dawn Roder of Parma Heights.
