Baxter eyeing fresh start with SRU

By Mike Kilroy
Eagle Staff Writer

SLIPPERY ROCK — Cait Baxter isn’t bitter about losing perhaps the most important year in a prep athlete’s career: the junior season.
Baxter tore her ACL before basketball season, which also quashed her softball campaign.
At the time, Baxter was garnering a heap of attention from a lot of colleges. Not able to play during that crucial time pushed her name out of the minds of many a coach.
“A lot of coaches didn’t get to see me play,” Baxter lamented. “By my senior year, it was almost too late.”
Baxter, a standout shortstop for the Butler softball team, didn’t let that deter her. She walked on at Kent State University last spring, but didn’t see any playing time.
The urge to play became so great, Baxter decided to transfer to Slippery Rock University this winter. Now, she hopes to get the chance to play the sport she loves again at The Rock.
“I’m looking to get some playing time,” said Baxter, a biology major who still has four years of eligibility. “There are older players in front of me, but I see this as a chance to get out and prove myself. I’m still new to the program, but I want to work my way into the lineup and show them what I can do.”
To do that, Baxter has been willing to do just about everything.
An infielder by trade, Baxter has worked in the outfield during winter practices.
“I told the coaches, ‘Wherever you need me, I’ll play,’” Baxter said. “I’m a big team player. I think so far the transition to the outfield has been good.”
Baxter may get that shot to contribute. The Rock is coming off a 16-20 season in 2013 and has 12 new faces, including Baxter, on its spring roster.
SRU is picked to finish fifth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-West this season.
“I have that Butler work ethic,” Baxter said. “I want to get some playing time now, but I have four years.”
Baxter was basically a free agent for the past year and she made sure she stayed sharp by working out on her own.
She played on a traveling team this summer and hit at home in the batting cage in her back yard. Her younger brother pitched to her and also hit her grounders.
Baxter said Slippery Rock is a perfect fit for her.
“I’ve had a year off from playing, but I stayed in shape and stayed sharp,” Baxter said. “I feel like my knee is 100 percent healthy, but there is always room for improvement. I never say I’m 100 percent in that area.”