Breaking News: 2021 Extra Elite 100 Catcher Hannah Slike Commits to BC

When we profiled talented junior catcher Hannah Slike on Monday in the article titled “2021 Extra Elite 100 Candidate Profile: So Cal A’s Catcher Hannah Slike… Close to Committing?” we knew her verbal was coming soon… we just didn’t know it would be in about 48 hours!

Slike, a 2021 catcher for Eastlake High of Chula Vista, CA, told Extra Inning Softball that she committed to Boston College on Tuesday afternoon.

“BC is an unbelievable school to be a student-athlete,” said Slike, ranked No. 31 in the first 2021 Extra Elite 100 in January 2019.

The backstop has spent the past two summers as the No. 1 catcher for Bruce Richardson‘s So Cal Athletics where she turned heads with her stellar play behind the plate, especially during pressure-packed games at PGF Nationals.

“A key factor in my decision was being challenged in the classroom as well as on the field,” Slike continued. “Being able to compete in a Power 5 school at a high academic institution was my focus. When I met Coach (Amy Kvilhaug) and the entire staff, I knew it was a fit. I know Coach K is going to do great things at BC and I want to be part of it.”

The junior admitted the campus tour really made an impact on her.

“She (Kvilhaug) shared with us her vision for the program and team culture which is exactly what I am looking for in a coach and program. When touring the campus, BC has amazing buildings and the school is in the process of building a brand new indoor facility for baseball and softball. One thing that I loved about Boston College is that they prioritize service to others. I learned about service opportunities that I can be apart of at BC as an athlete and that really excites me.”

It was in the coach’s office that Slike realized she wanted to play for the Eagles.

“After spending the day touring and meeting academic staff, we met with Coach K in her office and we discussed my future at BC both as an athlete and a student. That is when I decided BC was the right place for me.”

Slike, who possesses a strong arm and quick release behind the plate, is batting .467 with 40 RBIs, 15 doubles, 79 hits and 32 runs scored in her two seasons at Eastlake High. She batted .418 and increased her Allister index to 100.87 this past fall for the So Cal A’s.

The California native said she’s not worried about going from one coast to another to attend college.

“I love living in San Diego but I wanted to have a different experience in college,” she added. “Boston has so many opportunities and the relationships I built with the coaches made me feel comfortable moving across the country.”

Still, she’s happy that the big decision is completed.

“Through this fall,” Slike said, “my main goal was to stay patient with the process because I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.”

— Carlos Arias, Extra Inning Softball (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)