Raby verbals to Logan

Steeleville softball junior Josie Raby will continue her career at the next level, giving John A. Logan College coach Taylor Orsburn a verbal commitment on April 9.

"They offered me, I don't know if it's a scholarship yet or what, but they offered me a ride to play for their team for 2018," Raby said. "And we know the coaches pretty well. Taylor Orsburn's mom coached my aunt, so we're pretty tight with our family."

Raby is batting .378 for Steeleville this season, with 14 hits (all singles) in 37 at-bats with seven RBIs. In 49 plate appearances, she has only two strikeouts.

"Josie's one of those fighters," said Steeleville coach Andy Gerlach. "She's always doing what she needs to be doing. She does the little small things.

"She doesn't mind sacrificing and does get a few base hits here or there. I think she was batting over .400 coming into (Monday's game against Trico.)."

A verbal commitment is non-binding, either for players or the schools. Due to NCAA rules, college coaches cannot publicly comment on players until they've signed their national letter-of-intent.

"She's a little fighter," Gerlach said of Raby. "I think that's sometimes what colleges see is that fight and I think Josie's still going uphill with her game. I think she can get better and better."

As a player, Orsburn led Cobden High School to three straight IHSA Class 1A state championships from 2007 to 2010, earning first-team All-State honors in all three years. As a pitcher, she compiled a 41-5 record with a 1.11 ERA as a senior.

She continued her career at SIU-Carbondale, finishing second in SIU history (and ninth in Missouri Valley Conference history) with 137 career RBIs. Orsburn ranks seventh in Saluki history in career hits (197), second in at-bats (650), fifth in doubles (39) and eighth in home runs (21).

Orsburn's 49 RBIs in 2011 is a SIU record for a freshman.

"She was my role model back in college ball," Raby said. "I would love to be coached by her."