When Kathy Dearborn’s family moved to Geneseo in the middle of her sophomore year of high school, she was less than thrilled, to say the least.

But, four years later, NIU’s only MAC Freshman of the Year has changed her tune.

“I really didn’t want to move,” said Dearborn, a sophomore pitcher. “But it added another whole season, and it all worked out for the best.”

In Iowa, where Dearborn lived originally, baseball and softball are played in the summer, not in the spring like in Illinois.

Dearborn played her eighth grade and freshman year in Anamosa, Iowa, and played the final three years at Geneseo Darnall High School.

While playing her senior season at Geneseo, Dearborn posted a 22-2 record with a 0.18 ERA and led the Maple Leafs to the Class AA Elite 8. She was named First Team All-State by the Illinois Softball Coaches Association and Special Mention All-State honors from the Chicago Tribune.

“We signed her [in the November signing period],” NIU softball coach Donna Martin said. “She had a good junior year, but we already had her signed so not a lot of people got to look at her.”

In her first year at NIU, Dearborn picked up right where she left off at Geneseo.

The 5-foot-5 right-hander stepped in as a freshman and won a team-high 10 games. She also saved one game and compiled a 2.11 ERA, and in the process, earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors and garnered a Second Team All-MAC selection.

“I expected to do well my freshman year,” Dearborn said.

As of Tuesday, Dearborn is second on the team with five wins and a 3.31 ERA. The sophomore also has saved one game.

One of the biggest improvements for Dearborn this season is her hitting.

After batting .225 last season, Dearborn leads the team in batting average (.404), total bases (38), slugging percentage (.809), on-base percentage (.482) and doubles (seven).

Dearborn collected nine hits all of last season, and has 19 already this year.

“She is a gifted athlete,” Martin said. “It doesn’t really surprise me how well she is doing. As a pitcher, you have to get batters out. Anything other than that is a bonus. She could be as good or better as anybody we’ve had here.”

Going in the annals of NIU softball? That is a move Dearborn wouldn’t oppose.