QND’s Bunte realizes ‘I really love this place’ as she commits to Indianapolis softball program

QUINCY — As the recruiting process began to evolve, Caitlin Bunte realized there was more to think about than softball alone.

“I looked past that at the beginning,” the Quincy Notre Dame softball standout said. “I was like, ‘I want to play softball. I want to find somewhere where I can step in and play.’ Recently, I remembered that’s temporary. I get five more years, but academics needed to be a bigger play in things.”

With that in mind, she sought a school and a softball program that delivered on both.

The University of Indianapolis fits the bill.

A two-time all-state selection, the left-handed Bunte made her commitment over the weekend and announced it publicly on social media Monday. The Greyhounds are coming off an NCAA Division II national semifinal appearance and featured the D-II national pitcher of the year in Kenzee Smith.

Indianapolis finished 60-7 overall and 25-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Bunte watched the Greyhounds during the GLVC Tournament in East Peoria, Ill., in early May and walked away impressed.

“I really enjoyed the environment,” Bunte said. “I enjoyed watching their togetherness. Their team bond was really great. When I went on my visit, I enjoyed being there. The coaches are so nice and personable. I feel like I can be on the same page with them a lot . It just felt really good.”

Prior to that, QND assistant coach Lori Vogel had told Bunte the right college fit would emerge.

“Vogel was trying to tell me you’ll just know,” Bunte said. “She said, ‘You’ll go and it’ll work and it will feel just right.’ UIndy was my first visit and I thought, ‘I really love this place. I don’t know how it can get better than this.’ I didn’t know before that it’d be the place I wanted to go.”

Last spring, Bunte was as good in the circle as she was at the plate. Over the course of 18 starts, 22 appearances and 128.2 innings, she put together a 16-3 record with a 1.09 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP as she struck out 221 and walked 14. Bunte also hit .518 with 16 doubles, two home runs and 32 runs scored.

She earned second-team all-state honors from the Illinois Coaches Association.

As a sophomore, Bunte led the Raiders to their first sectional championship since 2011 and a 24-5 record. Offensively, she hit .620 with a .675 on-base percentage and a 1.152 slugging percentage. She had 11 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and 36 RBIs with 41 runs scored and just nine strikeouts in 114 plate appearances.

In the circle, Bunte started 16 games, threw 129 ⅓ innings and put together a 16-5 record with a 1.95 ERA. She struck out 162 and walked 16, which led to first-team all-state honors.

She will be given the option to pursue pitching or position play at UIndy. It’s going to come down to what the Greyhounds need and how hard she works.

That work ethic is unquestioned. Where it fits will be determined.

“I’m just going to roll with the punches,” Bunte said.