Jonathan Alder’s Evan Platfoot stares down a Logan Elm pitcher during a postseason matchup. The Lady Pioneer is slated to attend Ohio Dominican Univsersity to continue her softball career.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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The Jonathan Alder-to-Ohio Dominican softball pipeline continues to grow.
Evan Platfoot, who was the Lady Pioneers starting shortstop during the 2024 campaign, will continue her academic and athletic careers at the Columbus school.
Ohio Dominican’s 2024 roster included seniors Emily Walker and Lindsey Potter and sophomore pitcher Marlee Jacobs, all of whom are Jonathan Alder graduates.
An additional local presence in the Panther program is 2023 Marysville High School graduate Abby Christian.
Christian, a pitcher, did not see action this past spring due to an injury.
Platfoot made a big return to the Lady Pioneer softball program during her senior season.
She hit a team-leading .540 and drove in 31 runs.
Along the way, she earned first-team honors in the Central Buckeye Conference, the Central District in Division II and All-Ohio.
Platfoot did not play softball as a junior at Jonathan Alder. She instead concentrated on playing AAU basketball during that time.
“I missed playing softball as a junior,” she said. “I wanted to come back for my senior season.”
Prior to deciding to play at Ohio Dominican, Platfoot had considered Otterbein University, Wittenberg University and Walsh University.
“I chose Ohio Dominican because it’s close to home and the perfect size for me,” she said. “I like the coaching staff, the campus felt safe and I have friends at nearby schools.”
Platfoot will major in marketing and digital media. She eventually wants to work with a college or professional sports team in that capacity.
The Jonathan Alder graduate said competing in college sports had been a long-time goal.
“However, I had doubts about it,” she said. “It took the right fit for me to full commit.”
Platfoot’s goal is to earn playing time as an ODU freshman.
“I will work as hard as I can (to achieve that goal),” she said.