EW's Mitchell signs with PCC

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on February 14, 2009 11:21 PM

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Some players hit home runs and some steal bases.

Rare players do both.

Eastern Wayne softball standout Casey Mitchell possesses a unique combination of consistency and versatility that will take her game to the next level. She made sure of it this week.

Mitchell signed a national letter-of-intent to play next fall at Pitt Community College.

"It's really exciting to get to do this," said Mitchell. "I have wanted this day to come since I first started playing and I never thought it would get here."

Mitchell helped Eastern Wayne win eight games last season and will be an vital part of the team's continued maturation process under head coach Tony Parrish.

"She's our lead-off hitter and a lot of times we go as Casey goes," said Parrish. "She does so many things. One game last season she won for us with a bunt."

With the pressures of college recruiting behind her, Parrish expects Mitchell to take a more active role as a team leader when spring practice starts Monday.

"I think she will become a leader now that she knows her softball career isn't going to end after this season," said Parrish. "The younger girls see what she has been rewarded with and hopefully that will inspire them to keep getting better."

After leaving the diamond in New Hope, Mitchell will join a highly-successful program at PCC directed by head coach Junior Bailey. The Bulldogs finished 26-23 overall in 2008, including a 15-11 mark against Region X opposition.

"I started playing travel ball and that's how I met coach Bailey," said Mitchell. "We kept in touch and I decided that Pitt was the right place for me to play."

Mitchell's versatility caught Bailey's attention.

"At the junior college level we have players for two years, so they have to have the ability to do a lot of things well," said Bailey. "That helps the players, too. At the end of their time with us if they want to keep playing, they can fit in with another team easier if they can do a lot of things well."

The Bulldogs' roster features multiple players from eastern North Carolina, an area that Bailey has recruited with resounding success.

"I have added players from Charles B. Aycock and Eastern Wayne, as well as several schools in Wilson and Greenville," said Bailey. "It's nice to have players close to home. That way the parents can come to the games and they can be a part of the season."