Tyrone three sport athlete and softball standout Cate Baran has committed to Juniata College to continue her academic and athletic journey.

“I believe Cate made a great decision,” said Tyrone Head Softball Coach Doug Myers, “They have a new coach [at Juniata] that seems very motivated to build a great program and getting a player like Cate is a big step in making that happen.”

Baran also considered Mount Aloysius College and Chatham University, but she felt that Juniata was the perfect place for her. It has everything she was looking for and was the best fit for her major.

“Juniata is getting a player that is very competitive, confident and mentally tough. She has total control on the mound and never gets rattled,” said Myers, “Cate is a very good hitter as well, so not only did they get a great pitcher but I feel they are also going to be very happy with the type of hitter she is.”

Although Baran’s senior season was taken away because of the Coronavirus, her legacy at Tyrone remains. 

“My favorite memory while playing as a Golden Eagle was breaking the school record and playing in the district championship,” says Baran. 

Baran is the first pitcher in Tyrone school history to record 400 strikeouts and will end her high school softball career with 425 strikeouts overall, in just three seasons.  She was named to the Altoona Mirror’s 1st team All-Star Team in 2018 and 2019, and was Altoona Mirror’s Athlete of the Week in 2019.

“Cate has always been a great teammate on and off the field. She always led by example and I’m going to miss playing with her,” says catcher Allysan Jones, who also plans to continue her softball career in college at Chatham University.

Baran was also a starter on the soccer team and the swim team as well as the Eagle Eye Editor in Chief and a top student academically in her class.

She plans to major in biology and pre-physical therapy while at Juniata and is more than excited to continue her softball career. 

“I will miss my teammates the most. I wish I would have gotten to play one more game with them,” says Baran.

Myers wishes her the best and is excited to see what she can do at the collegiate level.

“I know she will have a very good career there and I am sure they feel very fortunate to have been able to sign her as a player and also for her great personality and how well it will match the team chemistry the coaches are looking for,” said Myers.