Sophomore starting softball pitcher Ashley Gordish verbally committed to Purdue West Lafayette to play softball on April 18 after receiving an athletic scholarship. Perhaps Northwest Indiana’s most powerful and winningest pitcher, Gordish had offers from Northwestern, IUPUI, and Butler.
“I really had to sleep on my college decision. It’s really one of the biggest choices that’ll you make as a teenager especially if you’re going to be playing a sport,” Gordish said. “I knew I wanted to go to Purdue from a young age, but I still had to take that time to make sure it was the best choice for me and my needs as a scholar and as an athlete.”
One thing that really stood out to Gordish was Purdue’s academics. With a strong desire to study biomedical engineering, Purdue’s engineering school stood out to Gordish.
“I know they’ll push me to get the best grades,” she said.
Over the summer, Gordish will be attending a softball camp at Purdue, where she will be able to meet the other recruits she will be playing with when she attends Purdue in the fall of 2017.
“I’m so excited for camp, I think it’ll be a good time to keep on working with the coaches and to keep on getting to know the other recruits that I’ll be playing with in college,” she said.
Purdue coaches push their athletes both physically and academically, and Gordish saw that as a staple for her school choice. However, she’s also looking for a place to nurture her skill. As a pitcher, Gordish has propelled the softball team to a regular season 25-3 record, ranking Noll as the 28th best team in the state, and she’s just as much a threat behind the plate. The 6’0” sophomore is the home run queen of the region, cranking out 12 homers already this season–the most of any softball player in the area and the second most in the entire state of Indiana.
“I have met with the coaches [at Purdue] quite a few times. Honestly, they’re amazing people. They know the physical game of softball and the mental game of softball. They treat each and everyone of their players like they’re part of their family,” she said. “They’re funny people, too. They know when to be serious and when to loosen up and have a good laugh. They’re great coaches on and off the field.”
Ashley’s brother (Ryan Gordish, BNI class of 2013) attends Purdue, and she visits the campus frequently, going to Purdue softball games to support her future team.
“The campus is absolutely beautiful, it gives me goose bumps everytime I go there,” she said.