By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Kasey Graham has signed a letter of intent to play for the Lourdes University softball team next season.

The sophomore pitcher will become a member of a Lourdes program that is set to begin its first year of existence.

"They have a great education program, and I wasn't ready to end my softball career," Graham said. "It's pretty neat that this will be the first ever women's softball team, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a part of that."

Graham finished her stellar career with the Express earlier this month. Just this past season, she posted a 13-1 record with a 2.12 ERA and 49 strikeouts. During her freshman year, she helped lead the team to an NJCAA D-II runner-up finish while posting a 5-0 record with a 2.32 ERA and 25 strikeouts.

Overall, Graham was 18-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 74 strikeouts in her two-year Express career. She was part of the most decorated sophomore class in Express softball history. In two years, they went 85-12 (44-5 in 2011 and 41-7 in 2012). The back-to-back 40 plus win seasons was a program first. Additionally, the Express won two OCCAC titles, one Region XII District G championship, and were the NJCAA D-II National Runner-Up in 2011. That was the highest finish of any women's sports team in Owens history.

Graham came to Owens following a stellar career at Clay HS (Oregon, OH) where she was named First Team All-City League and First Team All-District her senior year. Also that year, while leading Clay to a Toledo City League championship, she started 18 games, went 15-3, pitched 135.1 innings, allowed only 23 earned runs, struck out 139 and finished with a 1.19 ERA.

As a junior, Graham was a Second Team All-Ohio selection, and helped lead her team to a regional final berth.

Lourdes will be coached by Jo Ann Gordon. The Gray Wolves are members of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference and the NAIA.