Kristie Radvan

BUFFALO TWP — Kristie Radvan wanted to find the right things to say during her first interview.

The Freeport sophomore softball player was prepping to be asked questions by a coach to join a 16-U softball team that would travel to Europe in January 2016.

Radvan, who was selected for the team and will compete in the Queen of Diamonds Showcase North at Kent State University Jan. 3-4, was a little nervous.

“The coach asked personal questions,” Radvan said. “How I look at myself, not as an athlete, but as a person. Why I think it would be a good opportunity. We're not only playing, but we'll go to the Eiffel Tower and Anne Frank's house.”

Nerves didn't ruin Radvan's interview. She looked at it as another challenge to conquer, much like others she's faced along the line.

Before she started pitching for softball, she started in baseball, playing for two years in a coach-pitch league.

“The guys didn't give me any special treatment,” Radvan said. “In sixth grade, they asked me to come and play with them because they needed an extra player. Even now, when I'm playing against the guys, I want to beat them.”

While she was playing baseball around the age of 8, she also played up in softball. Radvan was playing 10-U softball against older girls.

“She is one of those kids that no matter whether you're up or down is unwavering in her attitude,” said Lou Saban, who coached Radvan on the Pittsburgh Passion club teams for several seasons. “She is what you would consider a 100-percent competitor.”

Developing into a leader is something Radvan thinks happened on her club team two years ago. Playing travel ball for the first team made her more confident. That travel team finished 59-6-1.

“My coach describes me as a vocal leader, always with encouragement and possessing a positive attitude,” Radvan said. “When things aren't going well, I say 'We got this. We'll be OK.'”

Radvan, who played primarily at third base, lit up high school pitching last season. She hit .458 (22-of-48) and drove in 12 runs for the Yellowjackets.

She also made seven appearances in the circle, finishing with two wins, three saves and a 3.59 ERA.

“She's a control pitcher,” Saban said. “She has good movement on her ball and good spin. She has a good change in velocity. She's not going to be the one that throws it 65 miles per hour and tries to blow it by you.”

For the upcoming high school season, Radvan said she may play in the outfield. That's fine by her.

It's another challenge to take on.

“Wherever they want to put me, I have the determination to play the best I can,” Radvan said.