She Finds Diamond At End Of Her Rainbow

Courtesy of Paul Jarvey and the Telegram and Gazette

Five years after graduating from high school, Karen Skoczylas found herself steaming down the Mass. Pike yesterday morning, eager to join her Fitchburg State teammates for her first college softball game.

"I'm excited," she said over the phone somewhere around Sturbridge on her way to Westfield State.

KAREN SKOCZYLAS

And why shouldn't she be? She took the long road to the diamond - as a member of the Army National Guard - with stops in Louisiana to help people after Hurricane Katrina; in Baghdad, where she spent a year in the military police; and in Holyoke, where she had her first college season called on account of rain.

Skoczylas wasn't sure last week if she would be able to make the doubleheader against the Owls, but she was able to change from Army green to FSC green yesterday morning, starting a day she thought might never come. The Falcons lost both games, but Skoczylas went 3 for 6 with a double and a walk, reaching base five times.

Skoczylas had a tough decision to make when she graduated from Palmer High in 2004-college or the Army.  "It was my dream to play softball and to do the military," said Skoczylas, who has reached the rank of sergeant. "I had to give up something to do something else. Now, I'm getting to do both." 

Finances made the decision a little easier. She didn't really have enough money for college, so she joined the Guard. Skoczylas was fine with that move. She is from a military family, and she liked the idea of being able to help people. She was able to do that first in New Orleans, then in Iraq, where she was deployed for a year starting July 2007. She also figured some military experience would help her reach her goal of joining the Mass. State Police.

She won't go into detail about her experiences in Iraq, except to say that she was stationed in Baghdad and assigned to personal security details. She's headed back to Iraq this summer. She doesn't know for how long.

Her fellow Falcons, of course, ask what it was like being in a war zone.

"I tell them that when you go over there, it opens your eyes that things are a lot different than you hear about over here," Skoczylas said.

She helped with the evacuation in New Orleans and brought food and water to those sheltered in the Morial Convention Center. Skoczylas said being able to help was a satisfying experience. 

Now, she's in a different kind of uniform and hoping to help in another way, this time with a glove and a bat.

She is a shortstop, center fielder and catcher for coach Frank Steffanides. Such position juggling definitely isn't out of character. Skoczylas is pretty good a multitasking.

Not only is she playing ball while taking on a full course load in criminal justice at Fitchburg State and attending to her military commitments, but she also squeezes in a shift or two working security at Shriners Hospital in Springfield when she can.

"It's overwhelming at times, but anyone can do it if you put your mind to it," Skoczylas said. "I love having a busy life."

She practiced with the Falcons and made eight starts in Florida, hitting .333 as either the leadoff or No. 2 hitter. As the team returned home for the start of the regular season, Skoczylas was off on two weeks' duty with the Guard.

She said she kept up with her teammates, who went 2-4 in her absence, on Facebook and by texting, but it has been difficult.

Now, she expects be back with the team for the rest of the season.

Skoczylas thought she would make her college softball debut last season at Holyoke Community College, but said the season was canceled because of weather.

She spent last fall at Holyoke CC, then transferred to FSC after hearing about the college's criminal justice program. She also figured she finally would get to play the game she loves.

Skoczylas believes that her military experience has helped her both on the softball diamond and in the classroom. The Army has kept her fit, although she's not sure she in any better shape than her teammates.

It also has made her more organized and focused, traits she believes helped her get straight As last semester for the first time in her life. This semester is more difficult with a lot more reading, but the sophomore feels she's doing OK.

Skoczylas is clearly driven.

There are males who compete in college sports after returning from war, but it's still rare for women to do the same thing.

For Skoczylas, it's not that big of a deal. Just figure out what you want, then get it.

"I believe you can do anything you want," she said. "You just have to be focused."

Keep your eyes on the prize - and on the road.

Paul Jarvey can be contacted by e-mail at pjarvey@telegram.com