More than 50 fans, teammates, school officials and family members met Dec. 6 at the Danville High School lobby to support Lady Blue Devils senior softball player Cordelia “Cordi” Richert as she officially signed to play college ball at Wittenberg University, in Springfield, Ohio.
In the upcoming 2022 season, Richert will finish her Blue Devils career as a three-year starter. She missed her freshman year due to the COVID-canceled season. Richert has played in the outfield for the Blue Devils the last three years, and this year, Danville softball coach Charlie Duncan is looking to play her some in the infield at first base.
Richert also has done some pitching early in her career, but her bat has always been a strength, hitting near .300 every season. She started her sophomore year on fire, batting .750 in the first seven games of her career. Coach Duncan said that Richert contributed on both sides of the ball, as her fielding saved runs while her bat drove them in.
Richert helped the Blue Devils to a 38-17 record the past two seasons, while the team won two district titles to make it seven consecutive crowns for Danville.
Richert, who also plays for the MOV Pride summer travel team, said she chose Wittenberg because it's a smaller school.
“I was looking for a smaller family atmosphere,” Richert said. “I'm not into the big-school settings, where you can sometimes become a number. I want to be successful in my academics as well as my athletics, and I feel Wittenberg is the place for me."
Among her career highlights at Danville, Richert said winning districts is at the top.
“Districts and playing with current and past teammates mean so much to me.” Richert said. “(Former teammate) Maddy Wine is someone I will always look up to, and I cherish the days I got to play with her. These girls are my sisters and I love everything about them."
When asked about goals for her final season, Richert said, "To have a great offseason and break the record at the weight meet; I have been lifting hard. I also want to have a great season this spring and do whatever I can to help this team win its eighth-consecutive district title and get back to state. I look forward to all my teammates having a great year."
Coach Duncan said Richert is a leader and hard worker who exemplifies the Danville culture.
“Cordi Richert is the definition of a Blue Devil,” Duncan said. “She works extremely hard. She has the best attendance in the weight room and open hitting sessions. She leads by example and is quick to help every underclassman that needs help. When Cordi has an off game or is in a slump, you will find her that evening or the next day in a batting cage or taking BP at the field with her Dad. She does what is best for the team with the position we put her in on the field or the spot in the hitting lineup. She doesn't complain, she just does her job. I have no doubt she will continue to work hard at the next level and I wish her all the best. I look for Cordi to have a great senior year. Blue Devil Nation is proud of her and she is going to make a great Tiger.”
Attending the ceremony were 45 softball players from Danville’s varsity, junior high and youth leagues. Also supporting Richert were Danville’s three coaches, head coach Charlie Duncan, and assistant coaches Shane Coffield and Quentin Cottrell; along with school administrators, Athletic Director B.J. Miller, Superintendent Jason Snively and School Guidance Counselor Hailey Kreinbrink. Also in attendance were her parents, Erik and Selena Richert, and her grandmother, Tammy Troy.
