Traci Bridgers signs

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on June 23, 2011 1:47 PM

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The wait is finally over. Softball standout Traci Bridgers made her college choice with a crowd of friends and family by her side at Princeton High School.

The talented hurler is taking her talents to Louisburg Junior College in the fall.

"I felt like Louisburg offered a more traditional college experience than a few of the other places that I looked," said Bridgers. "I like that I will be able to live in the dorms with some of my teammates, and that the campus was pretty close together."

Bridgers' decision ultimately came down to Louisburg and Pitt Community College, which has made back-to-back appearances in the National JUCO Division I World Series.

Bridgers followed a brilliant junior season with an equally-impressive senior campaign in 2011. She led the Dawgs to a 22-7 record that included a first-ever trip to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A final four at Walnut Creek.

Princeton was eventually eliminated by East Surry, but the experience was one that Bridgers will not soon forget.

"I was so excited to get the opportunity to go to Walnut Creek and play for a championship," she said. "I have to give a lot of credit to my teammates for helping me reach that goal. It was really special."

Bridgers will spend her summer relaxing and playing some travel softball on the weekends. But the first order of business is a vacation for the recent high school graduate.

"I am going to play travel ball with a team out of Harnett County," said Bridgers. "But I am really looking forward to taking some time off and kind of laying low for a while."

Before she travels to Louisburg, Bridgers will also be involved in conditioning and position drills that will prepare her for fall practice. One area of her game that is likely to get special attention is her hitting.

"(Hitting) is the one thing that I really need to get better at before I play in the fall," said Bridgers. "I feel like my pitches are solid, although I am working on a screwball, but really the hitting is the biggest thing I have to focus on."

Bridgers joins a Louisburg squad that finished 22-18 in 2011. The Lady Hurricanes are coached by Monica Gordy, who is entering her fourth season at the school.

Bridgers plans on majoring in either radiology or physical therapy, and hopes to transfer to a four-year university after her time at Louisburg is completed.