Lausee makes Titan(ic) leap to play softball at IU South Bend

Greencastle’s Elise Lausee (center) will load up her softball gear and go north after the 2023 season, signing on to play at Indiana University South Bend in the 2023-24 school year. With Lausee at her signing were (left to right) (seated) brother Simon, mother Jennifer, (standing) Greencastle girls’ soccer coach Scott Monnett, father Tom, Greencastle softball head coach Amy Coons and assistant coach Lyndie Plummer.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

Softball season is right around the corner and while practices haven’t officially begun, the buildup to the season is quickly getting into gear.

Greencastle won a Putnam County Tournament title and reached the South Vermillion Sectional final with a strong group of juniors leading the charge a year ago.

One of those juniors will get the chance to focus soley on her senior season as Elise Lausee recently signed to play collegiate softball at Indiana University South Bend this fall.

“I really love the coaches,” Lausee said. “Over the summer, I had a difficult time with certain coaches and I wanted to find a team where I was comfortable, more than just a player and (IUSB head coach Kelli) Martin gave me that.

“They also have apartments, which is really nice. The campus felt like home and, when practicing with the players, they all felt so welcoming.”

The Titans, who added softball for the 2017 season, had a winning season in 2019 but lost momentum after the 2020 COVID season, finishing sub-.500 the past two years.

Lausee, who catches and plays third base, said the coaching staff wanted to see if she could build off a 2022 season batting .383 with 36 hits and 21 RBIs.

“Being competitive at the plate and behind the plate,” Lausee said about what the coaches would be watching this upcoming season. “Basically going for every opportunity that I can.”

At her signing, Lausee said she was involved in a lengthy process to choose a university but felt she came to the right decision in the end.

“The campus basically has seven buildings, all in a circle, and everything is close,” Lausee said. “Everything feels safe; it’s comfortable and it felt like home.

“The first day I went there, I loved it immediately. I will study biological sciences to go into med school to become a surgeon.

“I aspire to be a brain surgeon eventually and even though that’s probably not my path, I will aim for it eventually,” Lausee added.

With the whole of the 2023 season still on the way, Lausee said she wanted to keep adding on to the excitement of the 2022 season before joining the Titans next school year.

“We want to win county again and keep the streak going,” Lausee said. “It’d be cool to go out with a conference or sectional win.

“Last year, we were close to a sectional title and that’d be a great way to close out my high school career. I’m so excited to go though.

“I’ve already got my roommates, are getting things together for my dorm room and I’m so excited.”