Hunter Niebrugge Signs w/UI Springfield

(THE SIGNING CEREMONY FOR ST. ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HUNTER NIEBRUGGE WHO HAS ANNOUNCED SHE'LL PLAY COLLEGE SOFTBALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT SPRINGFIELD. SEATED, LEFT TO RIGHT: HUNTER'S FATHER, DAN NIEBRUGGE; HUNTER NIEBRUGGE; HUNTER'S MOM, TONI NIEBRUGGE; STANDING, LEFT TO RIGHT: ST. ANTHONY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR KEVIN PALMER; ST. ANTHONY SOFTBALL COACH CRYSTAL TIPTON)

St. Anthony senior catcher Hunter Niebrugge Thursday announced she would be playing college softball for the University of Illinois at Springfield.

The daughter of Dan and Toni Niebrugge of rural Effingham said she was impressed with the family feel of the campus, and also felt at home when she looked out the window "and saw a cornfield. I like that rural feel."

Niebrugge has been a force on the softball field since her freshman year for St. Anthony, proving to be a rock behind the plate. She said it was her defense and her leadership skills that attracted UI Springfield, and her hitting prowess won't hurt, either.

Hunter plans to major in Biology, with an eye toward going into agriculture, although she hasn't decided on a specific pursuit.

When asked what she likes best about softball, Niebrugge said it's "just the feeling that you get; there's nothing like going out on a softball field on a Saturday morning."

Here's News/Sports Director Greg Sapp's visit with Hunter Niebrugge at the signing ceremony...