Stanowski To Play Softball At Kaskaskia College

Karly Stanowski signed to play softball at Kaskaskia College next season. Karly is seated between her parents Jerry and Tracey Stanowski. Standing is Kaskaskia College Softball Coach, Torey Crowell, NCHS Athletic Director Alicia Heggemeier, and NCHS Softball coach Shaun Renth.
After four years as a member of the Nashville Hornettes softball team, Karly Stanowski will continue her career on the diamond at Kaskaskia College.
Stanowski is the fifth Hornettes player to sign this year, a fact Coach Shaun Renth says reflects on the program. “I’m proud of all the girls. It speaks for our program. The hard work all these girls have put in.”
Stanowski, a four year starter for the Hornettes, was successful both on the diamond and on the basketball court for NCHS. Stanowski was a member of the 2015 State Championship Softball team. On the basketball court, Stanowski leaves NCHS as the all-time leading rebounder, as well as the all-time leading free throw shooter. Stanowski scored 1,219 career points, which is fifth all-time.
Deciding where to play wasn’t the only decision for Stanowski. Stanowski had a difficult decision to make whether to play basketball or softball. Stanowski said of her decision, “I decided I wanted to play here because I wanted to stay at home. Because I’m a home kind of person. I was kind of torn between basketball and softball at first, and it was a really really hard decision for me. But I came to the conclusion that softball was the better fit for me right now.”
Stanowski will have familiar faces around her as she takes the field next season. Brooke Burcham and Jordan Stiegman both will join Stanowski as members of the Blue Angels softball team, a fact that helped Stanowski in her decision. “That was another good thing about choosing softball. I didn’t really know any of the girls on the basketball team. I know these two, we mesh well together, so we will be able to mingle with the other girls well. I know quite a few of the other girls actually from travel ball and stuff, so I’m sure we will have fun together.”
Stanowski enjoyed a great season for the Hornettes this past year. Stanowski missed a few games this year because of injury, but still played in 32 games for the Hornettes this season. Stanowski led the Hornettes this season with 8 home runs this season. Stanowski tied for second with 36 RBIs. Stanowski batted .340 on the season.
Stanowski made a huge impact behind the plate for the Hornettes, something that was not lost on Coach Renth. “For me, she caught every game, except for a handful. She had a little trouble with her knees this year, but she didn’t want to come out. She never wanted to come out. For her to want to come out of the game, she had to be hurt. Just valuable for us back there, and she will be hard to replace next year.”
Kaskaskia College coach Torey Crowell talked about Stanowski as a player. “She is a very smart player. I watched her play about four or five different times. She knows the game. She knows what she is supposed to do to get the outs, to make things happen.”
Hornettes coach Renth noted Stanowski’s power as her biggest asset. “When I was driving up, I was hoping they didn’t have any tennis matches when the softball games are going on because she might put one on there. She’s got a big bat, extremely strong. I’d put her up against anybody maybe in the state. She’s such a strong kid.”
While at Kaskaskia College, Stanowski is expected to continue her career behind the plate. As for the biggest adjustments Stanowski will have to make, Renth talked about the adjustment to college. “It’s not so much the game, it’s just getting into the routine when you get to college. Go to school everyday, you maybe take three classes a day, and then you are done. That tough schedule, I think that’s the biggest transition for all those guys.”
Stanowski was named All-Conference twice in softball. Stanowski was named All-Conference in 16-17 and in 17-18. In girls basketball, Stanowski was named All-Conference during her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.
Stanowski was named All-South in softball for the 2016-17 season. Stanowski received All-South honors in basketball  for her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
While at Kaskaskia College, Stanowski plans to study nursing.