Delaney Troxell knew it. There weren’t any doubts or second guesses.

When the Catasauqua junior softball pitcher visited Millersville University for a visit, Troxell was confident it was the place to continue her softball career in the future.

“I have been college searching since last year,” said Troxell. “Millersville was on my list, and I took a tour. You know when it is the place that you’re supposed to be.

“I like the coaching staff, and it just seemed like the right fit. I know this is the place where I can do well. I have been here for camps, and I know some girls who will be there.”

Troxell, who will pursue a degree in early childhood education and special education, also didn’t take long to decide on her career.

“Teaching is in my family, and I have grown up around it,” she added. “We had a career day at school and I got a chance to shadow a teacher in the lower school. I have always loved being around kids, and this will be my career.”

During the offseason, Troxell worked on her spin-work and her proposed pitches with fellow junior and longtime teammate catcher Sophia Becker.

“I was working on what pitch I would feel most comfortable throwing on an 0-2 count,” said Troxell. “I managed to work with Sophia, so we are in good unison. We know each other very well.

“It just really was about preparing the best I could for this spring. I went to the usual camps that I attend, and I really didn’t do anything else outside of the ordinary.”

Expectations are high for the Rough Riders this spring with the entire cast back from last year as well as some promising newcomers.

However, the Roughies got off to a 0-2 start, having dropped tight games to Southern Lehigh (7-6) and Palmerton (10-8).

“We have everybody back,” said Troxell. “Plus, we have two freshmen who can really help us.

“The Southern Lehigh coach, who has been coaching for a long time, told us that this is the best Catty team he has ever seen. We believe we can go far, and so do a lot of other people.”

Beginning last week, Troxell had 275 career strikeouts and 54 hits. Her goals are to reach 500 strikeouts and 100 hits for her career. She credits head coach Paige Kogelman for her guidance and direction with her and her teammates.

“Coach Paige is always there for all of us,” she said. “She sets the bar high for us, and she is confident that we can reach it.

“She helps us on and off the field. All of the coaches have been very supportive.”

In turn, Kogelman has seen leadership from Troxell.

“Delaney is one of the hardest working players I have seen,” she said. “She leads from the circle. She always is willing to help her other teammates out with fundamentals. Delaney is the type of player who can reach her goals.”

Troxell is optimistic her teammates can take a cue from the girls’ basketball team that just missed making districts after they let some games slip away. She has plenty yet to achieve before Millersville.

“There are a few of us who played,” she said. “We know what that feeling was like, and we can build on it. We can’t afford to let any games slip away from us.

“We need to be able to push through and win some games we should as well as the tougher ones.”