One of the area's best softball players has made a commitment to one of the nation's best collegiate programs.

Junior Stephanie Speierman, who led Hammond to the school's first state championship last year, verbally agreed over the weekend to sign with Michigan, the 2005 national champions.

Speierman, who went 23-1 last season with a 0.21 ERA, was arguably the best pitcher in the area, setting a state record by striking out 426 batters. She also hit a robust .649 average, scoring 30 runs and driving in 18, while walking 37 times -- also a state record.

Speierman capped off her marvelous season last year by pitching a perfect game in the state final against North East of Cecil County, striking out 19 of a possible 21 batters, while tripling in two early on to provide all the scoring the Golden Bears would need.

Now, if Speierman could just suit up at quarterback this weekend for the Michigan football team.