B-G pitcher Strier off to Mercyhurst

Lefty Strier, a Daily Star First-Team All-Star in 2003, said Friday she has signed a National Letter of Intent to pitch for Division II Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa.

"I decided that I wanted to go to a smaller school because I’m from a smaller town," said Strier, who added she will receive a scholarship to cover Mercyhurst’s $18,000 annual tuition and $8,000 annual housing bill at the 3,157-st[an error occurred while processing this directive]udent school. "It is a smaller atmosphere and I liked it there."

Players who sign a National Letter of Intent must attend the institution listed on the letter for one academic year to receive athletic financial aid during that time, according to the website national-letter.org.

Strier, who said she considered Buffalo State, the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Pace University, will major in forensic science.

"I like science a lot," said Strier, who added she was offered a scholarship from the University of Sciences. "It just interests me."

Strier, who visited Meryhurst twice this academic year, led B-G in batting last season with a .500 average. Strier said she may play a position other than pitcher for the Lakers, who are 13-16 overall and 4-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference through Tuesday.

"I was recruited as a pitcher and (Mercyhurst coach Sara Headley) said I may get to play some outfield, too," said Strier, who will turn 18 in October.

Strier said she will play outfield this summer for the Conklin Raiders, an Amateur Softball Association of America team that will compete at the ASA National Tournament in Georgia this July.

Strier has started all five of B-G’s games this season, compiling a 2-3 record. She had a varsity-high 14 strikeouts in a 2-1 loss to Unadilla Valley on April 14 and threw a two-hitter in a 4-0 loss to defending Section Four Class D champion Afton on April 6.

Mercyhurst is located roughly 6 hours west of Oneonta.