Harrell is entertaining for Cheektowaga softball

CHEEKTOWAGA - You can never be quite certain what's going to happen anytime Cheektowaga Central's Yasmin Harrell reaches base. But one thing is certain, it'll be entertaining.

The Warriors' all-star shortstop has been putting on a show for four years and that's brought excitement to Cheektowaga and headaches for the other guys.

“She's fun to watch,” Cheektowaga coach Aaron Vanderlip said. “I remember last year, one of the coaches on another team said to me: ‘Whenever she gets on the bases, it’s chaos. You never know what's going to happen.’ And it's true. She's on the bases, we can bunt, she may steal, she's taking two, you never know. It's fantastic to have that.”

Harrell's in her fifth season at the varsity level for Cheektowaga Central and she's already a four-time ECIC-III all-star. She entered her senior season with a .479 career batting average.

She can do it all at the plate, on the bases and in the field, where she can play an assortment of positions.

Last year, she was also a first-team All-Western New York selection as she batted .476 and played error-free all season long at third base. But despite all her accolades and honors, Harrell has remained modest and is quick to share the glory.

“I definitely rely on my teammates, we all work well together,” she said. “I need them as much as they need me.”

Individual awards are nice, but Harrell's final softball season is about team success. Cheektowaga Central reached the Section VI championship game last spring and she's hoping to go all the way this year.

“I hope so, this is definitely our year,” she said after collecting a pair of hits and scoring twice in an early-season win over rival Maryvale. “Being a senior, I want it so bad. I know we can do it.”

This may be the end of the road for her spectacular high school career, but there's still much more to come for Harrell. She has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Seton Hall University.

“Jazzie brings a lefty bat into the lineup that can hit for power and has tons of speed as well,” Seton Hall softball coach Ray Vander May said in a press release. “She's got speed, power, and is a very good softball player. She's a great fit for our program.”

Harrell will likely play the outfield for the Pirates next year and also see some time at third base. A big step, but Harrell is eager for the challenge.

“I'm pumped,” she said. “I'm definitely ready; I'm going to have to work hard to earn my position there, but I'm excited.”