Happy up Here

For most fans of North Idaho College athletics, when you bring up the city of Twin Falls the conversation often turns to the Cardinals’ rival there — the College of Southern Idaho.

But when you ask NIC sophomore softball player Brianna Bishop about Twin Falls, you’re talking about her hometown.

“It wasn’t that bad,” said Bishop of growing up in Twin Falls. “I liked growing up in Twin. The town wasn’t that big.”

At the time, there was only Twin Falls High before another school, Canyon Ridge, opened three years ago.

She played with the same group of players from grade school to junior high, but by her senior year, was the only one left playing at Twin Falls.

After graduation she wanted to continue playing softball, but Southern Idaho wasn’t interested.

“Their coach never talked to me,” Bishop said. “He knew who I was and where I played, but didn’t actively pursue me to play for them.”

At first, Bishop was angry with the school.

“Kind of,” said Bishop, who plays second base at NIC. “But on the other hand, when they’ve gotten kids out of that area, they don’t play as much. If they would have shown interest, it would have been nice, but I’m happy where I’m at.”

Since arriving at NIC, she’s noticed a few differences from the Coeur d’Alene and Twin Falls schools.

“When you go to a basketball game at CSI, the entire community is there,” Bishop said. “Here, everyone knows everyone. I’m very happy with my decision.”

Bishop also was talking with schools in Nebraska and California before opting to head north.

“Stephanie James (a former NIC assistant coach) saw me play during summer league,” Bishop said. “Don Don (Williams) offered me a scholarship that I couldn’t refuse so I canceled the other visits and came here.”

“Bri had contacted us and I knew her summer ball coach,” Williams said. “I thought, ‘Hey, why not bring her up for a visit.’”

At first, Bishop was a little nervous of her choice.

“It’s kind of scary at first,” Bishop said. “I got offered a good scholarship. It’s not too far from home, but I got a chance to get away.”

“She’s really excelled here,” Williams said. “She’s a great student academically.”

Bishop, who has a 4.0 grade point average, has made the Dean’s List twice, in the spring and fall of 2011.

“She’s really helped me through a lot of stuff without having to say anything,” said Bishop of Williams. “She’s great. I just love her. She’s taught me a lot of life lessons — as well as a lot about softball.”

Justine Williams, who graduated from Twin Falls in 2005, also played at NIC as a member of the Region 18 champion in 2007.

“She had a great experience and knew Brianna,” Williams said. “Justine had a great experience here and that was a good connection to have.”

Bishop has started all 39 of the Cardinals’ games, and is third on the team in hitting with a .343 average and a team-high 32 runs scored.

On the Cardinals’ visit to Twin Falls in early March, Bishop went 5 for 7 with seven RBIs and three runs scored as the Cardinals split the first two games of their four-game Scenic West Athletic Conference series with Southern Idaho.

“It’s kind of cool to go back,” Bishop said. “To beat them on their field was the best feeling I’ve had since I’ve been here.”

Even playing for the so-called enemy, Bishop feels at home in Coeur d’Alene.

“I don’t think it’s anything I’m ashamed of,” Bishop said. “I definitely want to win. Even when our basketball teams are playing — I wanted our team to win.”

NIC has only played two games at home this season, with scheduled home series against Snow College and Western Nevada moved to Moses Lake. The Cardinals were scheduled for a home series with Southern Nevada this weekend, but that has been moved to Moses Lake today and Saturday.

“It’s really frustrating,” Bishop said. “It’s hard to go on a field and just play. It really makes a difference not getting to play at home.”

Bishop is hoping to continue her playing career next year at a school that offers radiology, but hasn’t made any decisions yet.

“I’m looking to go play next year, but I’m starting to stress out,” Bishop said. “I want to do ultrasounds because it sounds fun to me — but I haven’t found a school that has softball also.”

Before she moves on, she’ll try to help the Cardinals in the Region 18 tournament at the home of the SWAC champion May 10-12. The NJCAA tournament is May 17-19 in St. George, Utah.

“I think we’ve got a shot,” Bishop said. “We need to have the attitude that we can win like some of the other teams in our league do. In our games, we always seem to have one bad inning. If we can be more consistent — we’ll be fine.”

Bishop, who pitched most of her high school career, played several positions at NIC as a freshman, before settling in at second base this season.

“I was ready for something different,” Bishop said. “Pitchers don’t hit too often — and I wanted to do it all.”

Bishop started 52 games for NIC as a freshman, scoring 37 runs in 56 games.

“She came here a little raw,” said Williams of Bishop. “But the one thing about her is she’s a hard worker. She does whatever is asked of her and has gotten better and better this year. She played anywhere from third, second and the outfield last year. She’s definitely a team player.”

Whenever someone finds out where Bishop is from, they often ask why she didn’t remain at home.

For Bishop it’s a simple response.

“People say ‘Why’d you go there? You could have gone to CSI,’” Bishop said. “For me it was simple — they didn’t want me.”