March 3, 2009

Nick Pellegrino
Special to Rivals High

And, perhaps, it might be best not to tell the players from opposing El Camino College (Torrance, Calif.) that they, for all intents and purposes, lost to a high school junior.

Watson, 16, allowed just four hits and no earned runs and struck out three to earn the win in a 21-2 victory at the San Diego City College Mini-tournament held at Betty Hock Field.

Not bad for a player who didn't even play varsity softball in high school and has accelerated her education plan.

"I played on the junior varsity team at Ramona (Calif.) High and I really loved the coaches ? they were excellent teachers," Watson said. "I think they miss me, but I miss them more than they miss me. I don't think high school is for everyone. I wanted to really advance my education quickly ? I'm real eager to learn ? so I felt I was ready."

According to the Grossmont staff, Watson was tired of the provincial, sectarian politics in her hometown of Ramona, located in the back-country mountains of San Diego County. So she decided to take control of her life and take the state high school equivalency exam to earn her diploma.

"I actually planned to enroll in college early since middle school, and my mother really supported me," Watson said. "She understands that I've been a little bit more mature and I've always hung around with older kids and they would all be gone [from high school] before me.

"She also knows that my education has always been important to me and I've always wanted to advance that."

There was only one problem.

"The next set of exams in California are in May, but she needed to be enrolled in January in order to play," Grossmont assistant coach Ana Landeros said. "So Kellie petitioned the Grossmont College board in order to be allowed to enroll."

By documenting her previous studies, which demonstrated accountability that she would successfully pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE, better known as the GED in most states), Watson was promptly approved.

"The process wasn't as stressful as I thought," Watson said. "I simply needed to write an essay and take some questions from the panel, explaining how I wanted to play for the team and continue my education here. The meeting only took about 10 minutes.

"They wanted to know I was serious about my education and that I would be an asset to the school."

Watson had her choice of five local community colleges that offer women's fastpitch, but to her, the selection was obvious.

"I really like the Grossmont campus," said Watson, an English major. "The sports teams are really good. The academics are really good. It's a really nice school.

"I'm looking to go here for two years, then go to a university, where I will really focus on my academics. But I will play softball here because we have a great team without any drama."

The ballcub's fast start has Grossmont on track to challenge for another Pacific Coast Conference championship. And Watson has been learning from a pair of sophomore pitchers ? Charnel Zetsch (5-1 record) and Janelle Havens (4-1) ? who start in front of her.

"They're both very good and they've taught me to pitch with a good attitude, even on a 3-0 count," Watson said. "We have a really good team ? an all-around team, with hitting, defense and pitching."

Watson also produced at the plate in her debut, going 2-for-3 with a triple and a double, good for three RBIs for the two-time defending conference champion Griffins.

"Kellie is a neat girl and really mature," Grossmont coach Rick Trestrail said. "She even brings some leadership characteristics to the team even though she's just 16. She's more like 16 going on 25."

THE NETWORK: Rivals site for your state | National High School Message Board