PARKERSBURG - Emma Romanowski of Parkersburg High School inked her national letter-of-intent during the early signing period to continue her softball career at West Liberty State College for head coach Herb Minch.

The Hilltoppers, the 1999 West Virginia Conference champions and five-time runners-up since 2000, plan to give the Big Red senior a chance at playing as a freshman in the outfield.

A three-sport student-athlete at PHS, Romanowski just finished her final year of soccer and is now into basketball season.

This spring, the expected four-year Big Red softball starter and senor class treasurer will play under new red and white head coach Casey Lamp.

"I'm really excited to take my game to the next level," said Romanowski, who had a near 3.9 GPA in the last grading period.

"Travel ball has taken me to a certain level above high school.

"For the past 10 summers, I've played travel ball. This will be the first year I actually have a summer, but I'll definitely still be training."

Romanowski has been selected twice from more than 2,000 players to participate in the Queen of Diamonds Showcase South and North and also will be a member of Cup 2010 after being picked as a member of the North American select softball team that is playing in the Netherlands.

Romanowski said she's hoping things will be a little easier in college since she'll only be playing one sport.

"PHS has been the best part of my life," she said. "I'm really going to miss it, but I'm excited to take the next step."

Having played shortstop at PHS her first two years, Romanowski was moved to center field as a junior and could return their this spring.

Although she'll play wherever needed, the Big Red standout is most comfortable in the outfield.

"I'm a hustler. I never go halfway," she said. "I've got a great arm. I can easily hit home plate from the fence and I'm pretty fast."

Although Romanowski knows she still has plenty of things to work on, which includes taking better angles to the ball, she's finally glad to have a home for the next four years of her life.

"It was the biggest relief of my life," she said of signing early.

"The night after I signed was the best night of sleep I've had in years.

"I'm really excited to go, but also I'm kind of sad to leave home and leave everything I've ever known. It's bittersweet."