By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Miami-Dade College Coach Carlos Caro said never before has he left Dade County to sign a softball player.

But, he said, it was worth the four-hour trip to Kissimmee recently to sign Osceola High softball players Nicole Osterman and Carmen Nadal.

“First, we look for personality and family involvement, and then we look at athletic talent last,” he said. “These girls are going to do very well in our program. I am so excited to have them.”

If it sounds as though Caro overlooks the softball talent part of the recruiting equation, you would be mistaken.

Last season, Miami-Dade, 51-6, was the National Junior College Athletic Association national champion, beating Wallace State CC, 7-0, in the title game in Utah.

The Osceola players signed with Miami-Dade in a ceremony at the new OHS gym, attended by their teammates, family, OHS Principal Gary Preisser and their travel ball coaches.

Osterman, the Kowgirls shortstop for the past two seasons, batted .475 and drove in 18 runs last season. Nadal, a fixture at first base for the past two seasons, batted .395 and drove in 13 runs.

As important as their talent on the field is, Osceola Coach George Coffey said both players are leaders who helped mold Osceola into a perennial playoff contender.

“Nicky, she is a hitting specialist and a tremendous competitor, and Carmen makes plays at first base that most normal people can’t make,” he said. “Carlos is getting two great young people who are going to go into his program and do exactly what he expects them to do. It’s a perfect fit. He won’t have to worry at all.”

Osterman and Nadal both are travel ball veterans who have played softball since elementary school.

Osterman said it was an easy decision to join Miami-Dade.

“After I heard about the offer, I didn’t think about anywhere else. Even if a Division I school had made an offer, I wouldn’t have taken it,” she said.

Nadal said Caro’s Miami-Dade program has similarities to that of Coffey’s at OHS.

“You feel like you fit in, you feel comfortable,” she said.

Osterman said the challenge of playing college softball is something she looks forward to.

“Probably the one thing I need to work on is hitting, not being in and out, being more consistent,” she said. “I’m definitely ready, though. I so can’t wait for it.”

First, the OHS seniors have business to take care of for the Lady Kowboys this season.

“Playoffs, that’s always been my dream,” Nadal said. “Yes, we can do it.”