Harlem softball player Alaina Schwanke picks Davenport University

MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — One of the Stateline’s best high school softball players has made her college choice. Harlem senior Alaina Schwanke has signed a National Letter of Intent with Division II Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Schwanke is a pitcher and a first baseman. Last year, she was the NIC-10’s MVP as a junior. She was also named second team All-State. Schwanke won 16 games in the circle while striking out 168 batters in 116 2/3 innings pitched while posting a 0.96 ERA. At the plate, she had a .472 batting average.

“I was looking for this (chance to play in college) ever since I’ve been little, so it’s a great accomplishment for me. As a pitcher, I have multiple different movements in that I can locate them wherever I want, and I try to get the batter off-balance as best as I can.”

It’s no surprise that Schwanke is an outstanding softball player considering the family she comes from. “Both of my parents played (softball), and my brother also played baseball when he was younger, so it’s kind of in the family.”

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