WINSTED — Let’s face it. COVID-19’s havoc among high school sports and athletes is worse for teams and individuals with the highest expectations dashed by a sea of spiked microscopic balls. As a result, the honor of a college signing is more momentous than ever, along with a story of the determination athletes show to get themselves to the next level. On Tuesday, Northwestern’s Ava Blanchard committed to play softball at Division III Western New England University in Springfield, Mass.