Crane Made Right Decision

By Maria Freemire
Staff Writer
Posted 4/20/09

Senior, Becky Crane is in her last year of playing Yellowjacket softball, although she plans on graduating next May.  She comes to UW-Superior from Altoona, WI and was convinced to be a Yellowjacket instead of going to UW-Stout by head coach Roger Plachta and good friend Alyson Lundberg.

“Originally I was lined up for going to UW-Stout of the fall of '05,” stated Crane. “Our coach, Roger, was introduced to me at one of my high school softball games, asking if I would consider looking and possibly considering playing for his team, as he believed I would be a great asset to the team. One of my best friends also was attending, Alyson Lundberg, a previous player of the UW-Superior team, and an old teammate. Both convinced me to come and look at the campus, and I felt that UWS would be a good opportunity not only to play with Alyson again, but to be a little farther from home. I felt that UWS was a better choice to excel in both my academics and softball.”

Crane started playing softball when she was only in grade school.  “I played T-ball first when I was about 5 or 6.  I played summer softball leagues around 3rd or 4th grade,” stated Crane. 

Crane has high regards for her coaches, Plachta and assistant Adam Johnson, and they have helped her to develop into a complete softball player. 

“I love our coaches. Roger has so much knowledge for the game, and has done everything he could to see me improve. Adam is a very helpful and makes us feel good and confident and tries his best to see us succeed,” she said.

Throughout her four years playing at UW-Superior, Crane’s success is attributed to her coaching staff.  “I've started every game, and played every game since I started here. I have improved every year. I personally can say I've learned and improved a lot with the help of our coach,” said Crane. 

Her stats speak for themselves.  So far this year, Crane is number one on the team for batting average (.443), slugging pot (.729), runs scored (27), hits (31), triples (3), home runs (2), total bases (51), stolen bases (7), steal attempts (8), total plate appearances (75), and at bats (70).

Team goals for the year are to be one of the top teams, and her personal goal for softball is to make the All-American team and also to be a leader as the team captain.

Crane looks up to and also goes to her parents for advice.  When it comes to softball, she looks to the advice of her coaches.  Her advice to incoming freshman is, “Put in work, don’t give anything for granted, and give 100% both off the field and on.  Keep working hard in school.”

During her career playing at UW-Superior, Crane has received the WIAC-All Conference award both her junior and senior seasons.  This season she has already been named the WIAC player of the week. With not being able to play softball after this season, Crane will miss most “the fun with friends and teammates and Coach Roger.  He’s hilarious and always makes up laugh!”

The remaining of the games this season are all home games.  The first is against UW-La Crosse on April 25th in a doubleheader.  Games are slated to begin at 2:00 and the second game at 4:00.

     Senior Becky Crane     Photo:uwsuper.edu/athletics