Lakota West’s Cummins asks for release from Akron softball commitment

Lakota West’s Allie Cummins rounds third base after her eighth-inning home run in Thursday afternoon’s Division I state semifinal against Perrysburg at Firestone Park in Akron. Cummins and the Firebirds won 2-1. PHIL LONG/OHIO PRESS PHOTO SYSTEM

Lakota West’s Allie Cummins rounds third base after her eighth-inning home run in Thursday afternoon’s Division I state semifinal against Perrysburg at Firestone Park in Akron. Cummins and the Firebirds won 2-1. PHIL LONG/OHIO PRESS PHOTO SYSTEM

Allie Cummins’ collegiate softball future has become uncertain.

The Lakota West High School senior shortstop verbally committed to the University of Akron in the summer before her sophomore year and has signed a national letter of intent to attend the school, but she’s now looking elsewhere.

Cummins was the Firebirds’ hero in Akron on Thursday, homering in the eighth inning to beat Perrysburg 2-1 in a Division I state semifinal at Firestone Park.

“It’s not the right place for me. I’ll leave it at that,” Cummins said of Akron, a Mid-American Conference school. “I’m just going to hope for the best. I’m going to hope that someone finds me and likes me.”

Cummins said she’s asked to be released from her letter of intent and is waiting for an official response from Akron. West coach Keith Castner said it’s all a process, so it’s a wait-and-see situation as to what the next step is.

“Is it difficult to be released? Yes,” Cummins said. “Is it difficult for me to make my decision? No, because I want to do what’s best for me.”

The Zips posted a 4-43-1 record this season, though Cummins said the program’s struggles had nothing to do with her decision. She said pitching injuries led to the dismal 2018 campaign.

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