Hitting the big time

By Dave Utnik

Published: April 1, 2008

The first home run that Forest Park catcher Lauren Topper hit this season came on a half swing. The second one broke a windshield.

That one she's really proud of—not necessarily because it shattered glass but because it was the defining hit of Forest Park's 4-1 victory over Osbourn Park at the Grand Strand Classic in Myrtle Beach.

"We had a lot of fun down there," Topper said of the Bruins' week-long spring break trip—one that featured four wins in six games and established the mindset that they can play with anybody.

"Even when we were losing we stayed positive and fought every game," she said. "I think we've learned what it takes to be a great team. We've always had the talent, now everything is falling into place."

The Bruins have already accomplished quite a bit during Topper's illustrious varsity career, winning a Cardi-nal District regular season title and reaching the Northwest Region Tournament the past two seasons. She's been a team captain, hit over .400 and her throw from home to second has reached 68 miles per hour.

The only thing that's missing is a banner.

"We want to win the district tournament and have that banner in our gym," Topper said. "We're practicing six days a week and it's awesome. We're here to establish ourselves and to own the title."

The reasons for Topper's optimism are all around her: In center field stands her best friend Chelsea Paprocki, who is headed to Monmouth next year, and the infield includes all-district selections Blair Lowe, Melissa Carter and Christina Valero. And the freshman who starts at shortstop, Kristina Braxton, is already being referred to as the program's next big-time star.

"I believe we have the team to go out there and get it," Topper said. "This year we're more fired up for that trophy."

Most of that fire comes from Topper, who already knows a thing or two about excelling on the softball diamond. Last summer, she batted .384 out of the No. 3 spot for the Ashburn Shooting Stars 18U Gold squad and at the recent Winter Rising Stars Showcase she went 7 for 9 with four doubles and three home runs.

"Lauren is capable of being successful at the highest levels of our sport," Shooting Stars coach Bryan Tiplady said. "Immediately after she joined the team our earned run ratio dropped dramatically and it wasn't long before she was starting all the big games.

"As a catcher, there is no one who can gun down a base stealer more rapidly than Lauren. She can get the ball to shortstop in approximately 1.5 seconds. With a rifle arm like that she can stop even the fastest base run-ners."

The coaching staff at Chipola College watched Topper throw out a half dozen base runners during a tournament in November and then offered her a full scholarship the next day.

So this spring, she'll help the Bruins pursue their first district tournament title and in the fall Topper will suit up for the country's best junior college program in Marianna, FL.

"Florida has always been my second home. I love it there," Topper said. "I've always wanted to play in Florida so to go to a Florida college is exhilarating and to be part of a national championship team is awesome."

By the time she arrives in the panhandle, Topper will have played four varsity seasons and nearly 600 more ASA games. There's a good chance another windshield will need repairing too.

"Lauren will immediately be an impact player at Chipola," Tiplady said. "She knows what it takes to be a champion."