CORNING ­– While many high school athletes dream of competing at the next level, few fail to make the quantum leap from high school to college sports. For 2019 Monticello High School graduate Emily McCreery, pitching in college was the logical next step for a young woman who has been playing softball since she was seven.

She started taking pitching lessons at Pro Prospects at age eight. McCreery not only pitched for Monticello, but she also played travel ball for the Marlboro Sharks and went on to pitch for the Orange County Bombers which she still does. But what prompted this story was her success as a Corning Community College Red Baron where her studies may lead her into the field of psychology. That matter is at present undecided.

What is decided emphatically, however, is that she will pitch for Corning CC again this coming year after an outstanding year. Her softball tour at Corning CC was delayed a year due to Covid but she came out firing this year and helped her team reach the NJCAAA World Series championship game before losing to seven-time national champion Rock Valley, the only team to defeat Corning this year enroute to its 37-3 record.

The Red Barons defeated Suffolk 3-0 and DuPaige (Illinois) 2-0 in the winner’s bracket of the eight-team double elimination tournament in Syracuse. She shared pitching duty with her teammate Jayden Hill. 

McCreery posted a 1.92 ERA this season, striking out 104 batters on her way to a 17-2 record. She made the All-Region team and was a second team All-American.

Such accomplishments do not come about easily. They take demanding work, dedication, fine coaching, great teamwork, and a relentless will to succeed. McCreery minces no words when it comes to the gratitude she feels for her family’s support and the coaches who have pushed her hard to excel.

In her senior year at Monticello, Coach Ryan Jasper took over the coaching reins. He strongly encouraged McCreery to play at the next level. “I love the sport and I have made friends that will last a lifetime. It was definitely a big adjustment from high school ball. The college level is a faster pace and much more competitive. I had to work hard to hit my spots and adjust to the batters,” she notes.

Clearly it takes far more than dreams to achieve the kind of success she has garnered.

“I have found throughout my career that commitment and hard work are both key points to becoming successful, along with always having people supporting and encouraging me,” she said.

“If I had to give advice to players that want to be successful at the next level, I would say to make sure to always be willing to work hard day in and day out. I have found it is more important to be a coachable player willing to learn the basics of the game than worrying about your physical talent,” she continued.

“Of course, you must make sure to keep up with your grades. My family plays a huge role in my success in softball. My dad Tom McCreery was my coach and catcher from little league to now. My entire family including my mom Barbara McCreery, my older sister Samantha Gale and my brother-in-law Matthew Gale as well as my older brother Kyle McCreery and Mackenzie Mitchell were also a huge support by always coming to my games and encouraging me on and off the field,” said McCreery. “My team at Corning CC was the definition of teamwork. We always picked each other up when we needed it most. My coaches Stacy Johnson and Al Falkowski have been huge in encouraging us to play at our best ability. I am so grateful to all of these people who have helped me.”

McCreery will go on to a four-year school once she completes this year. It would not be a surprise to learn that softball could be a factor in the selection process. 

Congratulations to Emily McCreery for a job well done. It’s great to see one of our own succeed so emphatically.