The next step in their softball careers is still more than two years away, but two more Lake City High players have already given verbal commitments to colleges.

Timberwolf infielder Vanessa Shippy committed to Idaho State in September, and teammate Jordyn McCracken, a pitcher, committed to Utah State in October. Both are sophomores.

Lake City junior pitcher Casey Stangel verbally committed to Missouri early in her sophomore year. The three helped Lake City win the state 5A softball title last spring.

Both Shippy and McCracken also spent the summer and fall playing for the Absolute Blast, an under-18 Gold club softball team based out of Bellevue, Wash., which wrapped up its fall season at a tournament in Huntington Beach, Calif., last weekend.

“They just started the program around five years ago,” Shippy said. “I felt welcome when I went there. When I go there, I feel I can make a difference. I feel like I’ll be part of something special.”

Boise State, Saint Mary’s and California were among other schools that Shippy took unofficial visits to, but none offered scholarships.

Neither Shippy nor McCracken can sign letters of intent until November of their senior year in 2013.

“I don’t agree with it (committing early) in the sense that a lot can change from now and the day they sign,” Absolute Blast club team manager Eric Bolstad said. “A coach could be fired, the player could get hurt or someone could regress as a player. But it’s becoming the landscape of what most colleges are doing now. Most D-1 schools are at 14-and under tournaments looking at pitchers and starting to chart them. I just see a lot of sophomores that have a skill set, but they’re not developed, but schools are willing to get a commitment early. Both of these kids are extremely talented and I think are just going to keep getting better.”

Shippy will likely shift from second base at Lake City, where she played as a freshman, to shortstop when she arrives in Pocatello.

“It really takes the stress from recruiting away,” said Shippy of the early commitment. “They just started the program around five years ago. I’ve got a relationship now with both my coaches, so I can develop that prior to getting there so I can get the knowledge of playing ISU softball.”

McCracken is a left-handed pitcher and first baseman at Lake City and primary pitcher for the Blast.

“I made the decision because I love the school,” McCracken said. “Everyone I met around the campus was extremely friendly and awesome people. I really couldn’t find anything I didn’t love about it.”

As a member of the Blast, Shippy played middle infielder (second base/shortstop), as well as a center fielder.

“She can play almost anywhere in the field,” Bolstad said. “She brings a real tenacity, leadership and a real passion to the game. I’ve been doing this for 15 years and she is one of the real special kids.”

The Blast was established in 1999, according to Bolstad, and began placing players in colleges in 2002.

“We’ve had kids go on to Washington, Arizona State, Stanford, and Vanessa could play with any of those kids,” Bolstad said. “She can play at damn near any school she wants to. She is such a competitor. I just love kids that lay it out on the line.”

Shippy hit .461 with a .664 on-base percentage and .645 slugging percentage last summer with the Blast. She also stole 26 bases.

“It’s very rare when you find a kid that can blend the athleticism to the mental approach,” Bolstad said. “She’s really taken on a leadership role with the team. When you find a kid with the kind of character she has — this is why I do this. I love coaching these kinds of kids.”

McCracken had unofficial visits to a handful of schools. Utah State was the lone school to offer her a scholarship.

“I was looking at a couple different schools, but nothing compared to Utah State,” said McCracken, who would like to study Human Movement Science or become an optometrist. “I feel really blessed to have an opportunity to play at a high level and have people support me. Vanessa’s dad (Ron) and my parents have helped me get closer to my dream. Playing for the Absolute Blast is just the finishing touch.”

“Pitching for me is like an addiction,” said McCracken, who backs up Stangel in the circle at Lake City. “It’s nothing but you trying to beat the batter and you’ve got your teammates trying to do the same thing.”

With Stangel pitching nearly all the innings last season, McCracken pitched in just one game for Lake City en route to the state title.

“I’m extremely proud of her,” said McCracken of Stangel. “I’ve learned a lot pitching behind her and grow every time she pitches — more than anything, her mental side and staying tough when I need to. She just pushes me to work even harder.”

“She’s such a great, great kid,” Bolstad said of McCracken. “She brings competitiveness and a positive energy to the team. She’s so respectful wanting to learn and get better and with Casey, she’s got a good mentor to learn from.”