Post Falls catches a gem in hard-working Nagrone

Post Falls High’s Lauran Nagrone is the poster child for what good old hard work can do for you.

Nagrone, who had never played catcher before this season, spent many hours last fall and winter working on her catching mechanics.

Now all she’s doing is holding down the position – perhaps the toughest in fastpitch – to rave reviews.

She also leads the team in hitting (.525), RBIs (27), home runs (three) and triples (two).

Only a sophomore, the hard-nosed Nagrone comes off more like a seasoned veteran when talking about the game she holds so dear.

“I love the sport and I always try to learn from other people’s experiences as well as my own,” Nagrone said. “I try to know as much about the sport as I can, so maybe I can help others who ask me for help.

“I like to know what I’m talking about, if they ask.”

Here’s a question: What’s it like receiving a ball traveling so fast and thrown from such a short distance?

“The hardest thing is staying in there when a really fast one hits you hard,” said Nagrone, who got whiplash diving for a pop foul on a recent Thursday game, having to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance only to insist on getting back out on the field the following Monday. “Or when you have to grip that ball for the third strike – sometimes they pop out, but that’s part of life. … You have to know what you’re doing back there. You have to be focused and you can’t be daydreaming in the middle of a game or you’re going to get whacked in the mouth with the ball.”

Her contributions have helped Post Falls, under interim head coach Phil Hayes, to a strong showing in the Intermountain League.

Here’s another question: Just how good are these Trojans?

“I think we’re capable of taking state if everyone really focuses on what they want and has a good attitude all year long,” Nagrone said. “Last year, I know there was a lot of tension on this team and not everyone really got along. … I have very high expectations for this team.”