January 16, 2015 12:15 am • By Kyle Cummings / kcummings@columbustelegram.com

COLUMBUS – Scotus Central Catholic senior Hannah Krings didn't know how badly she wanted to keep playing softball until she was forced with a decision.

She was either going to attend Wayne State College, the University of Nebraska at Kearney or she could play softball for Central Community College.

Ultimately, she chose softball.

Tuesday, Krings signed her letter of intent at the Dowd Activity Center to play softball for Central Community College.

"It's good," she said. "I'm finally decided on my college, so that's good, because it's been a stressful year on deciding which college I go to or not."

Thursday's signing wasn't a spur of the moment decision by any means.

More than a year ago, Central Community College head softball coach Jack Gutierrez reached out to see if Krings had any interest in playing college softball.

"He just kind of asked me last year if I'd be interested," Krings said. "I said, 'Something to think about.' I've had this whole year to think about it."

Back then, Gutierrez remembers, Krings didn't seem too set on continuing her softball career.

"She said, 'I don't know if I really want to play,'" Gutierrez said. "So I said, 'Well, keep us in mind and we'll touch base again.'"

Gutierrez waited another year and tried again. This time with more success.

"I've been playing forever, so I decided I wasn't ready to give it up quite yet," Krings said.

Krings, who was primarily a third baseman for the Discoverers last season, is being looked at to play first base, Gutierrez said.

Don't expect the transition to take too long, Columbus High head softball coach Paul Braun said.

"I think Hannah is one of those girls that, other than pitcher or catcher, I think you really could play her anywhere and I think she'll do a good job for you," he said. "She just plays hard. She gives everything she has. I think she'd be a really good utility player for them up there. She can fill a lot of positions."

But the biggest asset Krings will bring the Raiders is the long ball.

"She's got a little power in her bat, so you have to have girls who can hit it out of the park sometimes," Gutierrez said. "I've seen her do that occasionally. Nothing like a home run. It's like a 3-pointer in basketball."

That type of power had opposing pitchers thinking twice.

"The teams that we see more than once on our schedule, they took a different approach from the last time we played them," Braun said.

Krings credits much of her softball success to Dave Young -- a long-time family friend and ongoing coach.

"He was my first coach when I was eight," Krings said. "He's come to every game, he's been my coach, he's been everything. He's the one who started me on it and who I'd like to recognize."