Morris to continue career at Pfeiffer

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on April 28, 2005 1:56 PM

• Print
• Email

PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock senior catcher Ashley Morris recently signed a letter of intent to play collegiate softball for Pfeiffer University of the Carolinas-Viriginia Athletics Conference.

Morris, a two-year varsity starter for the Falcons, is an experienced travel ball player for the Hurricanes, who said playing at the next level has always been a goal.

"It's always been my dream, since 13 years ago. Only a select few can do that," Morris said. "It makes me feel good that I get my chance and my dream-come-true."

As a junior, Morris learned to play her role as a short stop with standout April Vick penciled in behind the plate. Coach David West commended her for her patience.

"Every athlete has to learn how to be patient. You have to produce where you are," West said. "She went out to short, and I thought she played mighty well. This year, she jumps behind the plate when April leaves. When your opportunity comes, you make the most of it."

Morris sighted the Christian based outlook at Pfeiffer and the strength of their engineering program as the key reasons she decided on the Meisenheimer school. Also, being fairly close to home will give her mother Laura Morris, who is full-time in the Army National Guard, a chance to see her daughter play when she returns from Iraq.

"The only family I have here is my mom, and she's leaving for Iraq this year," Morris said. "I'll be close when she comes back for R and R for a few weeks ... she'll be able to see me."

West sites Morris' aggressiveness on the base paths and her ability to get on base in a number of ways as her biggest offensive attributes. Morris joins teammate and standout pitcher Jenny Jackson, who has signed with Western Carolina, as one of two players in Aycock's senior class to committ to play collegiately.

"These kids have put Aycock on the map with the way they've played, and we are really getting noticed," West said. "They are giving our school, community and themselves a lot of notoriety and exposure."

In Morris' varsity career at Aycock, the Falcons are 21-2 in Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference play and are gunning for their third league title in as many years.