There was nothing hokey about this decision.

Wheeling Park's talented Elizabeth Kosowski, a two-sport star with the Patriots, will continue an outstanding softball career at Virginia Tech University.

Kosowski, a four-year starter in centerfield for coach Dee Davis at Park, has been invited to walk-on at the Blacksburg, Va. based school, although she has been guaranteed a roster spot by Lady Hokies' coach Scot Thomas.

Kosowski was co-captain of this past spring's Patriot squad that advanced to the West Virginia State Tournament.

"Elizabeth was our starting centerfielder four seasons. In addition to being a fine athlete, she is a smart, intelligent young lady," Davis remarked. "It goes without saying, we'll miss her very much."

A two-time all-State selection, Kosowski batted in the No. 2 position and compiled a .358 average as a senior after swatting at a .420 clip her junior campaign.

"As good an offensive player as Elizabeth was, she really excelled defensively," Davis added. "She covered so much ground and took away more than a few potential hits."

Kosowski's steady work in the spring has carried over to summer softball as a member of the New Concord-based Roadrunner Elite 18 & Under program.

Said Roadrunner Coach Ben Taylor: "Elizabeth is the type player who could easily be overlooked just because of her quiet demeanor. When I selected her for the travel team, I envisioned her as my 12th player. I soon discovered she was my best player."

With the Roadrunners, Kosowski has been a consistent force. In 2008, she registered a .435 batting average, compiling 10 doubles and six triples in addition to clouting two walk-off home runs.

This summer, Kosowski has come back from a strained hamstring to hit .338. "Besides her ability at the plate, no one covered centerfield like Elizabeth did," Taylor added.

Kosowski's talents were not limited to the diamond. She was senior co-captain of the Park's soccer team where she played four years, culminating in all-OVAC honors in 2008. Among her soccer highlights was a three-goal performance in the annual Ohio-West Virginia All-Star Classic.

Born in Texas, Elizabeth has also resided in Indiana and Michigan before eventually landing in Wheeling.

She was salutatorian of Park's 2009 graduating class and has been accepted into the honors program at Va. Tech.

There, she'll enroll in Tech's College of Engineering and will be joined by twin brother, Russell. Another brother, Mitchell, is currently a Tech student while older brother, Keith is a 2007 Tech grad.

"I was familiar with the campus (at Blacksburg) and very impressed with their softball program," Elizabeth remarked.

Under Thomas, Tech was one of eight teams which qualified for the Women's College World Series this past season.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Jim and Melody Kosowski.

Gibson can be reached at rgibson@timesleaderonline.com