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Sports

Bowen signs to play for Manhattan College

Newtown softball standout signs with college despite injury during junior year

Kate Bowen, a senior co-captain and pitcher for the Newtown softball team, recently signed her letter of intent to play for Manhattan College and will pitch or play second base for the Lady Jaspers.

"I'm extremely excited to go to Manhattan be a part of their softball program," said Bowen.

Although she was a pitcher growing up, she played second base during her first two years at Newtown because Jenna Legros (Class '09), who now pitches for Holy Cross College, was the Nighthawks' No. 1 pitcher.

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"It wasn't hard to switch positions because I like playing second base and I was just happy to be in the game as a freshman and sophomore," Bowen said.

She contributed to Newtown's success both years, especially sophomore year where she had 48 base hits and earned All-State that year.

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"When I made the team as a freshman, my goal was to get All-State by my senior year and it was rewarding to get it as a sophomore," Bowen said.

Adversity struck junior year when she tore her left ACL while playing Nighthawks basketball and going for a lay-up against Lauralton Hall in February 2009. In addition to ending her basketball career (she was the team's manager this year), she missed her high school and summer softball seasons.

"The junior year was the prime time to be recruited and when I injured my ACL, I thought my chances to play in college went out the window," said Bowen. "It was also hard I missed my softball season, the basketball playoffs and the summer season. Softball is my first sport, I love the game and it was hard not being able to play it."

Newtown Coach Bob Guerrera said, "Losing your junior year is hard because it's the big recruiting year. I'm glad she could find a place to play."

Despite the setback, she was determined to return to the diamond and play in college. She credited Dr. Michael Brand, physical therapy and the athletic trainers for her recovery. Once she was fully mended, she began playing softball in the fall (she plays it year-round) and attended showcases in South Windsor and in Newtown, PA.

During one showcase, the Manhattan coach noticed Bowen and expressed interest. She then attended a clinic at Manhattan on Nov. 24 and decided she wanted to be a Jasper.

"I talked to the players and I saw I loved the school," Bowen said. "Being it was close to home helped too."

On the mound, she's been unstoppable in leading the Nighthawks to a 10-0 record.

"My focus on the mound is to get the win," said Bowen. "I don't want to break any records, I just want to win (South West Conference.)"

Her best pitch is the screwball. She threw mostly fastballs growing up but once she was introduced to the screwball, she fine-tuned it and became masterful in throwing it.

At the plate, she's lethal and one of Newtown's top hitters, such as the April 15 game against Stratford when she swatted a grand slam home run.

"My father [Tom] has been my hitting coach since I was young and he helped me," Bowen said. "I practiced a lot and my hard work paid off."

Life on the diamond began for her at age 8 when she knew softball was her favorite sport.

Leadership is a strength. Bowen served as Nighthawk captain during which she leads the team by example through her work ethic and encouragement of teammates.

"I was extremely honored to be voted captain this year," said Bowen. "It's even more exciting to be captain with Ashley Kuligowski because she's the catcher and we've always been best friends."

Academically, she has a 3.8 grade point average. She is on the All-Academic team and is the Connecticut High Schools Coaches Association Female Scholar-Athlete for Newtown. Math is her favorite subject.

"Because I played a bunch of sports as a freshman [soccer in the fall], I learned how to manage my time," Bowen said.

At Manhattan, she will major in education and knows in order to help the Jaspers, she has to raise her game to the next level. She believes in order to do so, it will take hard work year-round. After college, she would love to coach.

Guerrera, who believes Bowen will thrive in Manhattan, said she is a special player.

"Players like her don't come around often," he said. "She's very dedicated, always works hard, is a good kid and her honors are well-deserved."

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