Misty Edwards signs with PCC
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 9, 2012 1:48 PM
A gritty player who eats, breathes and sleeps softball, Misty Edwards carefully weighed all of her options before deciding where to continue her softball career.
The Charles B. Aycock second baseman looked at Salem College, N.C. Wesleyan and several Division III programs. She finally set her sights on Pitt Community College, which made back-to-back appearances in the NJCAA Division I World Series the past two seasons.
Who could turn down a chance to play for a World Series title?
Edwards didn't.
She eagerly signed a national letter-of-intent (NLI) with the Bulldogs, giving Pitt head coach Junior Bailey three recruits from the News-Argus readership area. Edwards will join current Aycock teammate Brooke Bell and North Duplin senior Skylar McCarty in Greenville next fall.
"I felt like Pitt was more suitable for me as a two-year college because I plan to transfer to a bigger school," said Edwards. "Their softball program is well-rounded. They've been competitive and I like playing with competition, so that's why I want to go there."
A three-year varsity player, Edwards has helped Aycock compile 38 wins on the diamond and earn a share of the 2011 Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference regular-season championship. The Golden Falcons have made two trips to the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs with Edwards in the lineup.
Edwards likes defense and concedes that her offense needs work.
"I think I'll bring a lot of energy to the team and I see myself as a leader," said Edwards. "My strongest asset is that I hustle ... dive for every ball and get down and dirty.
"I need to work on my bat ... not as strong as I want to be. I don't have the confidence that I need to have. I can hit the ball in the cage, but when I come out to the plate, it's different ... a mind game and I'm working on that right now."
PCC has won two consecutive Region X championships, a first in program history since Bailey's arrival. The Bulldogs are currently 15-2 overall and 7-1 in region play after taking three of four games against in-state rival Stanly Community College this week.
"I feel like Misty will step right in at PCC and help their program," said CBA head coach Brad Matthews. "Misty is a leader, and keeps everyone up during games and practices. If someone is having a bad day, she can make them laugh and change their day.
"She loves the game, and is the one that gets down and dirty at every practice. She does very well defensively and makes outstanding plays for our team."