Carroll College hits a homerun signing Lillian Larsen

Softball, hunting, and fishing are all part of the package

Lily+credits+her+twin+sister+Kylie+%5Bback+row%2C+left%5D+as+her+biggest+supporter+on+and+off+the+field.+%E2%80%9CMy+biggest+supporter+has+been+Kylie.+Having+Kylie+on+the+same+team+has+really+been+a+lifesaver.+Having+a+sister+that+plays+the+same+sport+is+great+because+you+always+have+a+throwing+partner%2C+when+we+are+struggling+with+school+or+softball+there+is+always+help%2C+and+when+we+are+gone+for+long+periods+of+time+so+we+always+have+some+there+to+talk+to%2C%E2%80%9D+Larsen+said.+%0A

Lily credits her twin sister Kylie [back row, left] as her biggest supporter on and off the field. “My biggest supporter has been Kylie. Having Kylie on the same team has really been a lifesaver. Having a sister that plays the same sport is great because you always have a throwing partner, when we are struggling with school or softball there is always help, and when we are gone for long periods of time so we always have some there to talk to,” Larsen said.

On January 20, senior Lillian Larsen, better known as Lily, signed to play softball at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, and became the first female athlete of the Class of 2016 to sign a letter of intent.

Larsen has been playing softball for the past twelve years, and has split her time between playing for the LSHS varsity softball team and a select team based out of Orange County, California, the NW Batbusters. Throughout the past twelve years, Larsen has developed a love for softball that has helped her even during rough patches.

“I love the game of softball because when I step foot on the field all the focus is on one thing. When I play, I zone everything out and just play the game. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer softball was my only get away which made me fall in love with the game and appreciate it even more,” Larsen said.

Since eighth grade, Larsen has seriously considered playing softball in college. But it wasn’t until this past summer that Larsen came in contact with her future coach.

“I first came into contact with Carroll College and Coach Jackson at the University of Montana camp. We had a nice conversation there and then he had watched me in Oregon, Colorado, and California throughout last summer and this past fall,” Larsen said.

Larsen received two offers, one from the University of Jamestown, and the other from Carroll College. But, Carroll came out on top thanks to all of it’s unique amenities.

“I decided to sign to Carroll College because it’s the best fit for me. Between the two offers I had I felt Carroll was where I could see myself. When I visited Carroll I instantly fell in love, the campus is beautiful, I can still do what I love outside of softball, hunt and fish with Mt. Helena right there, and regarding my education they have a great Pre-Med program,” Larsen said.

Lily Larsen’s twin sister, Kylie, also plays softball with Lily and is currently determining which school she will sign on with to play softball. Despite their closeness, Lily is adamant that she wants Kylie to make a decision based on what’s best for her.

“Of course I have the little hope that Kylie will come to Carroll with me, but we have come to realization that we have to split up eventually, we can’t be with each other our whole lives. So I just want her to make the best choice for her and not me being a factor of her picking a school. Kylie also has an offer from Carroll College to play softball and is also looking at Wisconsin Lutheran College and will decide within the next couple months,” Larsen said.

The Valhalla looks forward to reporting which team Kylie Larsen will select in the following months, and would also like to extend the warmest congratulations to Lily.