SEYMOUR—When it came time to choose where she wanted to spend the next four years of her softball career, Leah Parkosewich wasn’t just looking for a college with a strong softball program.
She was looking for a place that felt like home.
For the recent Seymour High School graduate, that place turned out to be Southern Connecticut State University, where she’ll continue her academic and athletic career this fall.
“I loved it,” Parkosewich said of her visit to Southern. “The girls all seemed like they worked together really well. Everybody on campus just seemed so connected. It felt very unified.”
Then life reminded her that some decisions become bigger than softball.
During the winter of her junior year, Parkosewich’s father suffered a stroke. Fortunately, his recovery has gone well, but the experience changed the way she looked at her college decision.
“It could have been way worse,” she said. “It affected his vision, and he doesn’t drive far places anymore. But after that happened, I knew I wanted to stay close to home.”
There was another reason.
Her father had spent years driving her to pitching lessons, traveling to tournaments and helping her chase the dream of playing college softball. Choosing a school just a short drive away meant those Saturdays didn’t have to end with high school graduation.
“He put in so much helping me pitch, all the lessons and tournaments,” Parkosewich said. “I wanted to go to a school where he could continue to watch me play over the next four years.”
Southern checked every box.
Not only did the distance make sense, but so did the coaching staff. Parkosewich had first built a relationship with Southern head coach Kate Bowen while Bowen was coaching at Springfield College. When Bowen took over at Southern, Parkosewich continued attending camps and building that relationship until it eventually led to her commitment.
Family has always played a major role in her softball journey.
Long before she envisioned herself pitching at the collegiate level, she watched her older sister, Grace, carve out her own path. Grace recently completed a four-year career at Western Connecticut State University, giving Leah a firsthand look at the commitment it takes to play at the next level.
When Leah reached Seymour High School, she honored that bond in a simple but meaningful way.
“I took her number,” she said with a laugh. “I always watched her play growing up, so when I got to high school, I took her number.”
More importantly, Grace became someone Leah could lean on throughout the recruiting process.
“She helped me with college coaches and teaching me different things,” Parkosewich said. “She definitely played a big part.”
Ironically, the sisters took different paths on the diamond.
Grace was an infielder.
Leah started there too before eventually finding a home inside the pitching circle.
“I liked being involved in every play,” she said. “When you’re younger, sometimes the outfield gets boring because nobody’s hitting the ball out there. Pitching meant I always had the ball.”
It didn’t take long before she realized pitching demanded much more than simply throwing strikes.
The physical work was obvious.
The mental side became just as important.
Parkosewich credits longtime pitching instructor Kelly Brenner-Hennessey, Cheshire High School’s pitching coach, with helping her develop the confidence needed to handle pressure-packed situations.
“Pitching is really such a mental game,” Parkosewich said. “Coach Kelly has done such a good job teaching me that. She always reminds me that when those pressure situations come, I’ve been there before. I know how to do this. That’s probably helped me more than anything.”
She also credits Softball U and coaches Mel Blude and Amanda Acampora with helping open recruiting doors and guiding her through the process.
“They helped me a lot,” Parkosewich said. “They were able to talk to coaches, get my name out there and help create that pathway.”
Parkosewich’s high school career was filled with success.
This spring, she helped lead Seymour to a 21-5 record, a Naugatuck Valley League championship and another deep postseason run while posting a 1.23 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 74 innings.
She also learned the value of sharing the workload.
After battling a UCL injury as a sophomore, splitting innings with fellow Seymour pitchers allowed her to stay fresh while preparing for the demands of college softball.
“I think it’s been a blessing,” she said. “A lot of pitchers in high school end up throwing so much because there isn’t anyone else. Having rest days was really important, especially after my injury.”
Off the field, Parkosewich will major in Health Science at Southern with plans to become an occupational therapist, a career choice inspired in part by the athletic trainers, physical therapists and medical professionals who have been part of her own journey.
For Seymour head coach Samantha Rossetti, Southern isn’t just getting an accomplished pitcher.
They’re getting the complete package.
“Leah has been such a staple for us at Seymour,” Rossetti said. “She has been a tremendous leader and role model for our younger girls. She is a great student, a well-rounded person and a great representation of the town of Seymour.
“I think Southern is gaining a great person and a wonderful teammate,” Rossetti added. “They’re doing a great job recruiting local talent, and Leah is the perfect example. I’m glad she’ll be staying close to her family while playing softball at a great level in a very competitive conference. She’s going to do great and grow so much.”
For Parkosewich, the next chapter begins only a short drive from Seymour.
Close enough that her family, especially her dad, can keep watching.
After everything they’ve invested in helping her reach this point, there isn’t anywhere else she’d rather be.
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