Kelsey Baker started playing softball later than some players do, but she's making now for lost time. The Marion senior has already produced an impressive career in her time with Patriot softball, twice earning all-conference honors. Now, she gets to test her mettle in college. Marion's second baseman and lead-off batter signed last Friday afternoon with Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri. The Vikings finished 2022 with a 37-13 overall record, with a stellar 17-5 mark in league play. The hard-working Baker played volleyball and basketball in her younger years, but it wasn't until she started playing competitive softball in middle school that she discovered “my real passion,” said Baker. “I liked playing all the other sports, and being with my teammates, but the extra work hitting, and fielding, and throwing, all that stuff didn't feel like extra work in softball. I just genuinely liked doing it.” “We didn't really know what we were going to do with her when she first came to us,” said Marion softball coach Drake Rowton, who installed Baker as a Team Captain during the off-season. “She kept working and found her niche there at second base, and honestly the rest is history. She's grown into the best second baseman in the state, and now this year we are going to use her in other ways, too.” Baker's freshman season was wiped out due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but she broke out in a big way as a sophomore. In 2021, Baker earned all-conference honors, as well as the team's Gold Glove award. Marion won 21 times that spring and advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals. She again earned all-league honors in 2022, when she batted .375 with a .514 on-base percentage, with four home runs, 17 RBI, and 34 runs scored. The speedy Baker ranked second on Marion with 18 stolen bases. Despite her offensive excellence for Marion, Baker said she's most proud of another area of her development as a player. “Definitely my fielding, because switching from a baseball to a softball when I was younger was actually really hard,” said Baker. “This year, I've finally figured out how to throw it more consistently instead of trying to throw it as hard as possible.” “She's a five-tool player and person,” said Rowton. “Offensively, she can hit the ball out of the park, but she can also give herself up bunting, or bunt for a hit. She can steal bases, and she can run the bases. Her role changes from one game to the next, but she does well no matter what the situation calls for.” Jefferson College has developed a reputation as one of the top community college softball programs in the country over the past five seasons, with 12 Vikings moving on to four-year colleges after their time in Hillsboro passed. “Jefferson was just a natural fit for me,” said Baker. “I felt it as soon as I visited there. I'm excited about softball, of course, but I liked that it was a smaller school, with smaller class sizes. I think it'll be a good place for me to ease into college.” Baker has turned in a pair of standout seasons at second base, but she will likely spend more time this spring on the left side of the infield, whether it be at shortstop or third base, but don't expect that to impact her performance. “I'm looking forward to being with my team, I'm hoping we can win a bunch of games,” said Baker. “I am most excited about keeping the energy up and continuing to have fun with these girls because this is a special group.” Marion opens its 2023 season on February 23 at home for its benefit scrimmage against Class 4A power Southside Batesville. It will be the first contest in Marion's brand-new, state-of-the-art softball stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30. This year's Class 5A state softball tournament will be held at Marion for the first time since 2015.