Danville senior Karleigh Wetzel signs to play softball at Wittenberg

Karleigh Wetzel has been in love with the game of softball since she was very young.

She watched her sister, Khloe, play for a couple of years before putting on her own glove and walking out on the diamond at the age of 6. She began playing with the Mount Vernon Mayhem just two years later and has continued throughout her high school career. Now a senior at Danville, she signed her letter Sunday to continue playing softball in college at Wittenberg University.

“I have two old teammates that are going there and they introduced me to it. I went on a bunch of visits, walked around, went on a nursing visit and I loved it there. My dad knew as soon as I came back that was the one because I had a big smile on my face,” Karleigh said. “I started when I was 6 years old. My sister played before me and I always wanted to be like my sister. I looked up to her a lot. The more she played, the more I wanted to play. I’ve never stopped. I started playing travel ball with Mayhem when I was 8 years old. I’ve moved up and progressed, started school ball and never stopped.”

Wetzel, a catcher and first baseman, played for Mount Vernon High School for several years before transferring to Danville this season. She’ll be bringing her big bat to the Blue Devils and coach Charlie Duncan.

“She joined us this year, so we’re getting to know her a little bit,” Duncan said. “She’s a kid that hasn’t missed a workout this entire year. She’s fit in very well and a great leader. He goal was to make it to the next level, so we’re proud of her making that.

“Her bat has been very impressive. We’re looking to get her some time catching and I can see her playing first base when Ruby (Bartok) is on the mound, or in the EP role.”

The choice to play at Danville was an easy one for Wetzel, as she’s known coach Duncan and others there for many years. She participated in several of their summer camps while a youth and played on their summer league team last year.

“Danville welcomed me with open arms. They treated me like one of their own. I really like coach Duncan, he’s an amazing coach. He reaches out to me all the time. It feels good to have someone who’s supportive of me and reaches out and says he’s proud of me,” Wetzel said. “My cousin used to be on his team. I’ve known coach Duncan since I was young. I came to all their camps when I was younger. I always wanted to come here but it never really fit until this year. I knew Danville would be my first choice (when I transferred).”

Wetzel plans on majoring in nursing at Wittenberg, either in pediatrics or trauma. She’s enjoyed working with kids, but it was helping her grandparents out that pointed her in the direction of nursing.

“My grandparents are older and they’ve gotten hurt a lot falling and I’ve always stepped in with the bloody situations and helped them get to the ER,” Wetzel said. “I love the action (of possibly working as a trauma nurse). Maybe in the Columbus area. I want to stay close to home. I want a No. 1 trauma center if I go into trauma. I’m still thinking peds, though, I like working with kids.”