Senior outfielder Angelina Cole credits her success and happiness at Providence to her softball teammates.
She isn’t kidding. They are real keepers.
“Some of them will probably be my bridesmaids,” said Cole, a Western Michigan recruit. “They are my best friends. We’ve all really developed together.”
Senior infielder Bella Olszta, for one, will be ready with a dress.
“Oh, 100%,” Olszta said. “As freshmen, we came in together. We were kind of a pair. Angelina was very supportive of me and she gave everyone around her confidence.”
As well as 100% effort on the field.
Cole, the 2026 Daily Southtown Softball Player of the Year, wrapped up a historic career for the Celtics that included three regional and two sectional titles and a Class 3A second-place finish at state.
It has been quite a ride.
“Coming to Providence was one of the best decisions of my life,” Cole said. “Even with the academics here, everybody was super reliable.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better. This school was really a blessing.”
During her stellar senior season, Cole batted .453 with 46 runs, 14 stolen bases, 11 doubles, seven triples, a program-record 14 home runs and 46 RBIs.
Big numbers? Certainly. But the big picture is even more stunning.
During her four seasons, Cole averaged a program-best .499. She’s also the Celtics’ all-time leader with 205 hits, 155 runs, 16 triples and 184 RBIs. She’s tied for second all-time with 25 home runs.
It’s hard to believe there was a day, not too long ago, when she was turned down for a spot on a travel team.
“Back then, I was definitely not looked at as a great player,” Cole said. “I mean, I’m 5-foot-2 and I would hear things like, ‘Oh, you’re too short,’ or ‘Oh, you’re too small.’ Everything seemed to be based on size.
“My freshman year, I tried out for a travel team and didn’t make it. I think that motivated me to prove people wrong.”
On the flip side, Providence coach Jim Holba had no problem finding a varsity spot for Cole.
“Four years ago, on this field at camp, was the first time I had seen her,” Holba said. “I think Angelina won every contest we did, so we kind of knew a little bit about her desire and effort right away.
“At the beginning of April, she was consistently putting the ball in play and getting hits. No matter where we put her in the lineup, she would respond. We could move her into different positions, and she was full of energy, always positive, always ‘yes’ with a smile.”
It was only the beginning. Cole worked her way from being a line-drive rally starter to power hitter.
It wasn’t magic.
“Having a good work ethic brought me the highest I could have been,” Cole said. “It was getting up on days when I didn’t feel like working out or hitting. I was always at the Bo Jackson Dome. It was like my home. And I couldn’t have asked for better people to help and support me.”
Cole came to Providence as a second baseman, but Holba saw her as an outfielder. Cole agreed, but did do some flinching.
“I had played a few games in the outfield, but I wasn’t really comfortable with it,” Cole said. “But with my speed, everybody was like, ‘Ang, you need to go to the outfield.’ And I would say, ‘Man, I’m scared to catch a fly ball. I can’t.’
“But once I got used to it, it became my favorite position ever. I wouldn’t change it.”
The highlights have been many — and memorable.
“There were moments where she’d make a really good diving play and everybody just got crazy,” Olszta said, laughing. “And then it seemed like she hit home runs whenever we needed them.
“She just plays out there with so much confidence. You can tell she’s excited to play softball. I definitely will go watch her in college.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
