CHERRY TWP — When it comes to a Queen of Diamonds Showcase, Cortney Claypoole definitely belongs.

Moniteau's incoming junior softball shortstop will participate in her third successive Queen of Diamonds Showcase Sept. 4-6 in Spartanburg, S.C. She was among 264 accepted out of more than 1,500 applicants.

“I do this every year,” Claypoole said.”It's a great way to gain exposure.”

With two years of high school softball remaining, Claypoole's goals are high. She is hoping to land a scholarship at a college down south.

Coastal Carolina, Virginia Wesleyan and Randolph (W.Va.) college are among the schools showing early interest.

But Claypoole has all of her bases covered.

“I'm playing summer ball in Buffalo this year (with the WNC TC Tremors) and northern schools have been able to see me play,” she said. “I'm keeping options open.

“The more college coaches taking a look at me, the better off I'll be.”

Her softball skills offer plenty at which to look.

Through two years at Moniteau, Claypoole is hitting .496 with a .535 on-base percentage, 63 hits, 57 RBI, 58 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. She generally hits fifth in the Warriors' lineup.

Claypoole hit .583 as a freshman, .418 as a sophomore. She was first team All-Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference both years. She is a 4.0 student in the classroom as well.

“Cortney has played in Paris, France, through the Queen of Diamonds program,” Moniteau coach Dan Beebe said. “She's doing all the right things in terms of her softball career. She's been to camps, played in different areas... She's getting noticed.

“Her versatility will help her as well. Cortney can play third base and second base. Her college future may be in the outfield because she has plenty of speed.”

The TC Tremors program sent 29 girls on to college softball from 2011 through 2013.

“It's a good team this year, too,” Claypoole said. “Most of these girls will be moving on to college ball.”

Claypoole is accustomed to playing on good teams.

Moniteau is a combined 40-3 over the past two seasons with her batting in the middle of the lineup every game. And Claypoole hasn't been a softball player for very long.

“I played baseball with the boys all the way up through Pony League (age 14),” she said. “I played in the infield, mostly third base, and hit over .300 or so.

“My mother suggested that I start looking at softball because I couldn't play baseball forever. The Silver Creek Stars (Bessemer, Ohio) picked me up that summer and I was a softball player.”

Given her choice between the two sports today, Claypoole said she would stick with softball.

“It's played at a faster pace and infielders are even closer to the action. I love it,” she said.

An occasional pitcher at Moniteau, Claypoole's time on the mound may increase next spring.

“We graduated Taylor Hasychak and she threw a number of innings for us last season,” Beebe said. “Cortney is a good pitcher. That would add to her assets to a college program, too.

“She wouldn't be a team's primary pitcher, but she could certainly help out with some innings here and there.”

At the Queen of Diamonds Showcase, Claypoole will be joined by players from 21-plus states and Canada. The players are divided into teams of 11 and play against each other — all under the watchful eye of college scouts.

“It's a fun way to show what you can do,” Claypopole said. “I'm looking forward to it.”