College commitment: North Ridgeville's Autumn Behlke to continue softball career at Youngstown State

NORTH RIDGEVILLE — Autumn Behlke waited a little more than a year to make it official. Now she's signed, sealed and on her way to Youngstown. Behlke signed her national letter of intent Friday to continue her softball career at Youngstown State University in a ceremony at Method Sports and Fitness. "I feel like I've been dreaming this moment my whole life and for it to finally be here is amazing," Behlke said. "It's been very difficult waiting for this moment," said Behlke, who orally committed to Youngstown State in November of 2021. "I feel like it flew by but also took 15 years at the same time. It was all worth it." Behlke has been part of two of the most successful softball seasons in North Ridgeville history, helping lead the Rangers to back-to-back district titles after the school went 18 years without a trip to regionals. "Autumn always grinds, she always puts her head down and gets right to work. She has an amazing work ethic," Rangers coach Amy McMillan said. "Any time she's on the field she gives 110 percent. "She's been a big part of our success. She's always in that starting lineup or that circle from the start of her sophomore year on. She makes my life easy." Behlke was second on the Rangers last season with a .457 batting average and 32 RBIs, while leading the team with five home runs. She started nine games in the pitcher's circle with an 8-1 record, a 0.99 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings. She has 11 career home runs. "I feel like 5-year-old me would be so proud," Behlke said. "All of the hard work, all of the trials and tribulations, all of the happy moments, I'm so grateful for all of them. "I started pitching when I was 8 and I grew up watching those college girls on TV and I said, 'I'm going to be on that stage some day.' That's been my dream ever since." Behlke said she chose to have her ceremony at Method Sports because the coaches and trainers there played a crucial role in helping her achieve her dream. After missing her freshman season due to COVID, Behlke burst on to the scene in 2021, going 13-3 with a 1.76 ERA and 163 strikeouts. "We started the talk last year about changing the culture of North Ridgeville softball and Autumn has been a big part of that," McMillan said. "She's showing the younger kids, the underclassmen, this is how we do things here. It's huge to have someone in that leadership role like Autumn." Behlke was surrounded by family, friends, coaches and teammates Friday as she signed her letter of intent. "I'm so honored. I couldn't have this without the amazing ladies standing beside me and my great coaches," Behlke said. "Truly to be able to do this for my community means so much to me." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.