Krason carrying CAC's hottest bat
By MARIA VASQUEZ Staff Writer Pinal Central

SIGNAL PEAK — Chloe Krason began playing softball at the age of 9, it wasn't so much that she loved the game but her parents were trying to find a sport she could play.

Krason tried every sport from basketball to soccer, which eventually led to softball.

The story goes that Krason's mom borrowed all the necessary equipment such as a bat, glove and cleats from someone's child who didn't like playing softball, so that Krason could try out.

"We were just trying out sports and this just worked," Krason said.

The freshman at Central Arizona College comes to the Vaqueras after having played her high school career at Gilbert Perry.

"I've really enjoyed the program," Krason said of being at CAC. "The city's a little boring, but it's fun if you drive out 10 minutes. I like the program, I like the coaches, the college is really nice, I like the academics here."

She added her focus is on psychology and after although she doesn't know where she will continue her education after CAC, she plans on transferring to a four-year school to complete her degree while still playing softball.

Krason posted a career .462 batting average with 23 home runs and a .900 slugging percentage. She led the Pumas in all offensive categories.

She said the transition over to junior college ball hasn't been difficult and that there isn't much of a difference.

"Honestly it's just a little bit faster pace but other than that it's pretty similar," she said.

Krason had a 14-game hit streak going until the second game against Yavapai College on Saturday where she went 0-1 with two walks and a strikeout. She currently has a .539 batting average, a .573 on base percentage and a .974 slugging percentage for the Vaqueras.

One of her teammates, Maya Dasti, said Krason is one of the best hitters on the team.

"She got jammed on a pitch in that game and still managed to get a double," Dasti said after the first game against Yavapai. "She's really good."

Krason's best game at the plate this season was Feb. 27 against Glendale Community College in the first game of a doubleheader, where she went 5-for-5 with two doubles, two home runs and six RBIs.

"Just patience," she said. "Honestly it sounds cocky but I've always been able to hit. So it's just building off of that and just trying to keep going with what I'm good at."

In high school she spent saw most of her playing time at shortstop but after getting injured during the fall season with the Vaqueras, she was moved to first base as a precaution.

"It's fun," Krason said of playing first base. "I like doing the splits, that's the most fun part."

The Vaqueras are 23 games into the season and have a 14-9 record, and Krason is looking forward to the next two months. She described what will help the team make a postseason run.

"Just building off of how we've been doing, keeping the bats hot and getting better on defense," Krason said