It's Franklin Pierce University for Gardiner

There was no question what Megan Gardiner was wearing to school on Thursday.

She woke up, grabbed the gray T-shirt with the red Franklin Pierce University lettering, trimmed in white, and put it on.

The Rockville High School senior also put on a big smile. Signing day does that to a student-athlete. Gardiner made it official on Thursday when she signed on to play softball with the Ravens next year up in New Hampshire. 

She also wants to study business.

"It's nice wearing the shirt," Gardiner said. "It's a good business school, I like the area, I like the program, I like the coach and I like the campus."

About halfway through the half-hour interview, a fire drill commenced. It was at a confusing time - four minutes before the end of a class - and it left administrators perplexed.

Not Gardiner. Not on Thursday. She kept smiling as the interview was forced outside and then back in.

She said she first became attracted to Franklin Pierce after learning of Coach Christine Grenache and her rebuilding program during travel team play. She said the only other school she applied to was St. Michael's in Vermont and decided in January that Franklin Pierce was her first choice.

Gardiner said she and Grenache have talked about her catching, playing the outfield or playing third base. She is at third for RHS this season.

The main thing? She wants to put her high school slugging percentage of better than .900 to the test at a higher level.

"As long as I can hit, I will play anywhere," she said.

Gardiner also divulged a little secret - heading to New Hampshire will allow her to keep skiing.

"Coach is fine with it - she likes the cross-training to keep your legs strong," Gardiner said. "She just says to not get hurt."

Gardiner and her family are regulars at Whiteface Mountain - the former Olympic venue near Lake Placid, N.Y. She is Level 1-certified with the Professional Ski Instructors of America and teaches 4 to 6 year-olds at Whiteface.

She said she even wants to sneak over to Whiteface during winter break to teach and ski.

As for the matter of softball, Gardiner said Grenache has brought in eight freshmen this year and is bringing in a few more with her class.

"It's something I want to be part of," she said.