Marisa Bogart, seen making a diving catch during the 2010 Lady Badgers softball season, verbally committed to attend St. Edward’s University. The second baseman and catcher helped Lampasas win consecutive District 25-4A titles and looks to end her high school career with a trip to the Class 3A State Tournament next June. PHOTOS BY RICHARD AKRIDGE Marisa Bogart is smart enough to pounce on what she wants, but she also knows sometimes patience pays.

Despite having a year remaining in her high school career, the incoming senior softball standout verbally committed to join the St. Edward’s University program in 2011.

Although nothing can be considered official until Nov. 10 -- the first day players can sign a national letter of intent -- Bogart has no doubt she belongs in San Antonio after building a strong relationship with the Division II school’s coaching staff.

By attending weekly hitting lessons instructed by Hilltoppers’ head coach Amy Coulter and assistant coach Amiee Vaughn, Bogart developed a familiarity with the staff and their expectations.

In addition to being a solid on defense, the incoming senior posted three home runs and 25 RBIs as a junior. After exploring some other options, it became clear St. Edward’s was the best fit and there was no longer a need to delay the inevitable.

“I had already built a relationship with them that I hadn’t with other colleges,” Bogart said. “That made it easier to choose them.”

Coulter will become Bogart’s fourth head coach in four years after playing for Chris Gaffney, Chris Munoz and now Rusty Erwin during her final three seasons at Lampasas.

The Hilltoppers will inherit a player that has helped the Lady Badgers softball program win 19 of 20 district games over the last two seasons and consecutive District 25-4A titles

As a sophomore, the second baseman/catcher was named the district’s offensive MVP before landing on the all-district first team following last season’s performance.

In addition to her infield defensive efforts, Bogart -- who is commonly refereed to as “Rizzo” -- recorded a .473 batting average to go with three home runs last year. She also scored 23 runs and posted 25 RBIs.

The Hilltoppers are coming off a 34-21 campaign with a relatively inexperienced lineup consisting of just six upperclassmen.

Despite fielding seven freshmen and seven sophomores, St. Edward’s won the Heartland Conference regularseason title and placed second at the conference tournament.

With one year left before taking her game to the next level, Bogart plans to end her high school career with an impact.

“We are really expecting to go to state,” Bogart said of the Lady Badgers. “The main thing is we need to stick together, and then when we get there we have to play as a team.”

Although she will dedicate most of her efforts toward helping the Lady Badgers achieve a Class 3A championship, Bogart will also be working on improving specific areas of her game that will ease the transition into the Hilltoppers’ program.

“Some of their expectations are that they want to keep their hands on me,” Bogart said. “They want me to keep going to their lessons so they can kind of groom me for when I get there.”

One of the biggest changes Bogart is currently dealing with is adjusting to an 11-inch glove from a 13-inch glove.

“I’ve got to be smoother when fielding,” Bogart said. “It is really awkward because it feels really small, and I’m used to the extra twoinch reach.

“You really have to focus on getting the ball in your glove. When you have a 13-inch glove, the ball can get lost in there.”

Once she arrives at St. Edward’s, it will take another full season before she can work her way into her natural position.

Preferring to play at second base, Bogart will most likely be used at catcher, in the outfield and at third base during her freshman season while the experienced Miranda Yeager, who will be a senior in 2011, completes her career.

But Bogart is willing to wait. “It will be worth it,” she said.