LUBBOCK, Texas – After shining at the high school level, all indications say Ashley Brokeshoulder won’t have to wait long before she can start making a name for herself in the collegiate ranks.

The 18-year-old softball pitcher, who starred at Oklahoma’s Shawnee High School the past four years, is now a freshman with the Texas Tech University women’s team.

During the summer, Brokeshoulder (Choctaw, Absentee Shawnee) accepted a full athletic scholarship.

Brokeshoulder, who started playing softball at age 3, is thrilled to be suiting up for a university team.

“It’s been my goal most of my life.”

Shannon Hays, the rookie head coach for the Texas Tech Red Raiders believes Brokeshoulder can step right in and contribute.

“Hopefully she’ll make a big impact on our program,” he said.

The Red Raiders have started training for the 2010 season. The club will play several exhibition contests in October. The club’s regular season begins in February.

The Texas Tech roster currently features 18 players. Brokeshoulder is one of three pitchers – there are also two sophomores – on the team. So she’s expected to have her share of playing time.

Several other universities were pursuing Brokeshoulder, including the University of Washington, the defending NCAA champions.

“She had a lot of people interested in her,” Hays said.

The fact that some rather high profile programs had made Brokeshoulder offers doesn’t surprise Hays. “She’s always been successful. Those are the type of players you want.”

Brokeshoulder was certainly a dominant player before, especially in her final high school season. She was one of the main reasons the Shawnee Wolves advanced to the Oklahoma 5A state championship final.

She posted an impressive 25-10 record during her senior season with the Wolves. She also had some other noteworthy numbers, including a .31 earned-run average.

Brokeshoulder pitched 221 innings in her final year at Shawnee. She registered 413 strikeouts and had 19 shutouts.

For these performances, she was selected as the most valuable player in her Suburban Conference. She had been previously chosen as the MVP of the Suburban Conference during her sophomore year.

Brokeshoulder also made several others take notice even during her high school freshman year. As a rookie with the Shawnee Wolves she was named as the Suburban Conference’s Newcomer of the Year.

She can be an intimidating force on the mound.

“The last time I had my fastball clocked it was between 62 and 64 (miles per hour),” she said. “But I’m more of a movement pitcher. I throw more junk.”

The teenager said there were several reasons why she chose Texas Tech over other offers.

“It was close to home, and they have a whole new program with all new coaches. I wanted to be part of something like that instead of going to something established.”

Brokeshoulder felt she had a better chance to start immediately for a rebuilding program.

“They didn’t have a winning record last season,” she said of Texas Tech, “but our new coach is really pushing us and a lot of the girls seem committed.”

As for her parents, they are ecstatic that their long-time dedication and commitment to their daughter’s athletic career paid off with a collegiate scholarship.

“Her mom and I have driven miles and miles across the country for tournaments, clinics and coaching,” said her father Eddie.

Brokeshoulder’s parents are also planning to keep attending their share of their daughter’s games. “It’s about a six-and-a-half hour drive (for Texas Tech home games),” Eddie said. “That’s not very far.”

Though he’s only been working with her for a short time, Hays doesn’t believe Brokeshoulder will be much of a vocal leader, but rather somebody who leads by example.

“She’s fairly quiet. She goes out there with a calm, cool demeanor. But you can tell she really enjoys playing.”

Besides being a starter in her rookie season, Brokeshoulder hasn’t established many other goals.

“The coach set a goal for us and that’s to make it to the regionals,” said Brokeshoulder, who also suited up for a travel team, the Tulsa Eagles’ under-18 squad, earlier this year. “That’s my goal, too.”

Texas Tech competes in the Big 12. A site for their regional tournament, expected to be held in mid-May, has yet to be set.

Brokeshoulder is taking general arts courses during her freshman year at Texas Tech. She hopes to eventually become a physical therapist.