Carow signs with McCook softball program

By Jeff Yoder
Posted 1/6/22

The McCook Community College softball coaching staff is already very familiar with the newest member of its incoming class. 

Lone Tree senior Ellen Carow has one season left under coach Reid …

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Carow signs with McCook softball program

Posted

The McCook Community College softball coaching staff is already very familiar with the newest member of its incoming class. 

Lone Tree senior Ellen Carow has one season left under coach Reid Kaalberg, before joining the Indian softball program led by Reid’s father, Kevin Kaalberg. 

“We are very excited to have Ellen become part of our family,” Kevin said. “I was fortunate to watch Ellen play some games last year and the first thing that stuck out to me was her athleticism and versatility. I see a lot of potential for growth with her length and athleticism.”

When it was time for Carow to start thinking about her life after high school, she knew that she wanted to continue playing softball.  

“I’ve played softball my whole life, since tee ball,” Carow said. “I've grown to love it and I want to pursue it in the future.”

Carow played multiple positions in the Lone Tree infield last year and led the Lady Lions in hits (32), runs (26), average (.372) and on-base-percentage (.426).

Her future coach believes that she has the potential to hit for power as well 

“I see a player that, with work, can really increase her power and consistency at the plate, “ Kevin Kaalberg said. “Having the versatility to play multiple positions is also an asset I look for.”

Carow’s value to the team goes far beyond just her athletic ability and technical skills according to coach Reid Kaalberg. 

“Her biggest strength is her work ethic,” he said. “She works really hard and she doesn't settle for being below average. I also think that her attitude is something that is going to help her. 

“She's a leader on the team, she is always gonna pick people up. She's going to be that person that you go to when you need somebody to get the team's attention. And she's always going to stay positive.”

Carow said that the softball program and McCook’s campus in Nebraska were a good fit for her. 

“The coaches are really good,” she said. “It’s a small school and I don't want to go anywhere that big to start off with, so I thought it was the right fit for me.

It was super nice,” Carow said about her visit. “And the campus is small and everything is super close together and I like it.”

Carow is also excited to work with Maddie Kaalberg again. Maddie was an assistant coach at Lone Tree, and has also joined the McCook program as an assistant coach for her father. 

“She's really helped me improve my hitting, and the way I see the ball when it’s coming in,” Carow explained. 

In Lone Tree’s first round playoff game last year, Carow had a hit, a walk, and reached base four times, scoring four runs in the 10-4 win over Holy Trinity. The Lady Lions finished the season in the regional quarterfinals at Highland. 

I would like to go farther, closter to state than we made it last year,” Carow said about her goals for the upcoming season. “And I know we have the abilities to do that.”

Individually, Carow is working to hit for an even better average this year, while limiting her mistakes. 

But her main goal is pretty simple. She said, “I just want to improve as much as I can.”