PITTSBURGH — Digging into the batter's box, Chandler Krelow prepared to face a returning all-conference pitcher at Point Park University.

And barely hit a foul ball.

“I knew I had a long way to go,” the 2015 Knoch graduate said of becoming a college softball player for the Pioneers.

Transitioning from high school to college softball is hard enough — and Krelow wasn't following the typical path. She had not picked up a bat in three years.

“I enlisted in the Air Force National Guard in November of 2014, my senior year,” Krelow said. “That helped prepare me for boot camp when I reported in July of the following summer.

“That year I enlisted, I thought I was giving up my cleats for good.”

Krelow was a three-year starter as a first baseman at Knoch. She always hit third or fourth in the lineup and led the Knights in RBI during her years on the diamond.

Once in the Air Force, she attended technical school and eventually became an intelligence officer.

“Honestly, I never thought I'd play (softball)again,” Krelow said.

Now Krelow is back in school. She enrolled at Point Park University this fall and is majoring in Intelligence and National Security.

And she's back on the softball field.

“When she filled out her paperwork for enrollment, she wrote she was interested in softball,” Pioneers coach Michelle Coultas said. “I contacted her and invited her to try out.

“When I do that, in most cases, the student doesn't follow through on it. There are a lot of things they have to go through. There's filling out a medical packet, orientation, getting a physical ... Chandler did them all.

“That's how I knew she was serious,” Coultas added.

Krelow reported to Point Park's fall practices and worked out with the team. She was getting work in at various infield positions.

“My fielding was a little surprising to me,” Krelow said. “That was like riding a bike. I picked up right where I left off.

“My hitting is what needs the work. There's a lot of rust there.”

Her first collegiate experience with a bat in her hand was facing all-conference pitcher Ashley Iagnemma, a South Fayette graduate who sported a 1.64 earned run average and compiled 155 strikeouts in 132 innings last season.

“She was bringing it at 65 miles per hour and I was like ... Wow,” Krelow said.

Coultas was encouraged regardless.

“She stood in there and wasn't intimidated at all,” the coach said of Krelow. “Her hitting will come around because I know she'll work at it.

“Chandler will start out as a utility infielder for us. She will help us in a number of spots.”

Coultas has been coaching Point Park for 12 years. She's put together seven 20-win seasons and the Pioneers have not had a losing season — overall or in league play — since 2008.

The team was 21-21 overall, 11-7 in River State Conference play last season.

Only a few players who tried out for the team this fall were invited back in the spring. Krelow is one of them.

“I'm so excited about this,” Krelow said. “I'll be spending a lot of time in the batting cage the next few months, believe me.

“The military taught me how to fail, how I have to work my butt off to get better. I'll translate that to softball. I've got a chance to play my favorite sport in the world again and I won't take that for granted.”