Central Crossing’s Hayliee Roberts Commits to EKU Softball

Grove City — Since stepping in the circle at Central Crossing, Hayliee Roberts has shined as a standout pitcher. Roberts earned first-team all-conference honors as a freshman, followed by second-team all-district recognition. Her sophomore year saw her named to the Central District all-star team.

Now, Roberts has secured her Division I softball future before even entering her junior season. On February 4th, the standout pitcher announced her commitment to Eastern Kentucky in the Atlantic Sun Conference, bringing an end to an exhaustive process that Roberts was fully invested in.

“I looked all around Ohio and other surrounding states for the right fit for me,” she explained. “I looked into dozens of schools, but nothing felt like home to me before EKU.”

Roberts visited EKU in January, and that trip was all it took to solidify her decision.

“I loved everything about the campus and the softball program. It was everything: The girls, coaches, facilities, classes, training staff, and so much more,” she said. “I knew it was the best fit because it felt like my second home. All of my boxes were checked, and this was where I needed to be.”

Roberts grew up with softball, playing for fun with friends before the game became a serious passion. She joined her first travel team at 10 years old and made the decision to pursue the sport collegiately by 13.

Her spark came from watching elite players from across the country, inspiring her to take her development to the next level. “I saw girls from Michigan and Florida, all the big schools, and I knew I wanted to play just like them,” she said. “That was when I started putting in even more work to become the pitcher I am today.”

Roberts has never been the type of pitcher to light up the radar gun, but she keeps hitters off balance with movement and precision. Over the years, she has sharpened both her confidence and execution.

“I have always had amazing movement on my pitches. I have versatility in my
spin and control over where I want to throw the pitch,” she explained. “I have strong confidence and demeanor in the circle. My mindset in the circle has gotten better, and I’ve learned how to control my emotions.”

During her sophomore season, Roberts found another breakthrough: hitting. Confidence at the plate had always been a challenge, but after working with hitting coaches Chris Zaker and Shawn Gillenwater, along with preparation from Central Crossing Head Coach Rona Dorsey, everything clicked.

Slotted near the top of the batting order, Roberts made an immediate impact at the plate. She launched three home runs in three consecutive games against Licking Heights, Pickerington Central, and Newark in April, and capped off the season with a .556 average, eight home runs, and 32 RBIs.

For Roberts, making an impact at the plate is more than just production. It’s a source of confidence and purpose. “Hitting eight home runs after struggling for so long gives me confidence and belief in myself,” she said. “I used to struggle with hitting, but last year, something clicked for me.”

With two seasons left before she heads to EKU, Roberts is focused on continued growth: both as a pitcher and physically.

“I want to grow as a pitcher. I hope to perfect my pitching and make all of my pitches very crisp and moving well,” she said. “I also plan on lifting more and being stronger before leaving for EKU.”

Roberts hopes to leave a lasting impact at Central Crossing and EKU, with aspirations of becoming a true dual threat in the circle and at the plate. With unwavering confidence, the only thing that can stand in her way is herself. She has all the tools to succeed: talent, work ethic, and a teachable mindset that will help her reach her full potential.