PREP SOFTBALL: Pate, Brogden announce their collegiate intentions

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on November 27, 2016 8:44 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

CALYPSO -- Say it ain't so Rylee.

Oh, but it is true.

The most-prolific player during North Duplin's fast-pitch softball era, Rylee Pate signed a national letter-of-intent with UNC Wilmington and plans to graduate high school in December. Opposing coaches may attend the ceremony just to make sure the feisty and competitive pitcher walks across the stage to accept her diploma.

They can't get too relaxed, though.

Another strong and equally-talented pitcher -- Haley Brogden -- will step into the circle next spring. She's headed toward Western Carolina upon completion of her senior campaign.

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UNCW coaches contacted Pate last March.

She agreed to make her decision once the high school season.

Pen and paper in hand, Pate composed a list of pros and cons.

"It was very tedious," Pate said. "When it came down to it, my pros out-weighed my cons, and that going there would be the best thing for me. It was a tough decision, but now I'm really excited. The only con that I felt strongest for was high school softball and I knew that was the end of my career. I won't play travel ball any more.

"In my high school career, I accomplished more than I ever thought I would."

An understatement -- at best.

As a sophomore, Pate guided the Rebels to the 2015 N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A state title -- the first by any girls' program in school history. She compiled a 1.13 earned run average (ERA) during her three-year varsity career, threw seven no-hitters and logged two perfect games.

The right-hander holds the single-season record for ERA (0.63) and career records in strikeouts (515), total wins (33), total innings pitched (291.3), complete games (31) and shutouts (15).

North Duplin shared the Carolina Conference regular-season crown with eventual state champion Princeton in 2016.

Pate first told head coach Ricky Edwards of her decision.

The news quickly spread throughout the community-based school.

"It's been amazing the amount of support everyone has given me since I made this decision," Pate said. "They all said they'd miss me and hate I'm not coming back, but they're very supportive asking for my game schedule and looking forward to it as much as I am."

UNCW coaches haven't revealed their exact plan for Pate, who plans to focus on her rise ball and curve ball. She could possibly play a dual role -- pitcher/reliever -- for the Seahawks, who finished 29-21 overall and 8-10 against Colonial Athletic Association competition this past spring.

"I think I need to work on my off-speed the most, transitioning from fast to offspeed and not showing it as much," said Pate, who plans to attend medical school and concentrate in either pediatrics or dermatology.

"(The) focus this winter has been to maintain my speed from the beginning to the end...keep my endurance."

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WCU reminds Brogden of Calypso's family atmosphere -- comparable to the hit TV show "Cheers," where everybody knows your name.

Instead, she'll be the new kid in the dugout in Cullowhee.

"Coming in as a freshman, I want to be that player who stands out, make my mark there," Brogden said. "They say once you sign, it's a stress relief, but for me it's not. It puts more on you. You've got to work twice as hard because the girls you're playing against are four times better than the girls you're playing right now.

"It really makes you realize that 'hey, it's time to hammer down.'"

Not to mention adapt to a huge role change.

A two-year starter on the hot corner, Brogden needs that same mentality next spring. She collected seven wins, sent 81 opposing batters back to the dugout with a "K" (strikeout) beside their name in the scorebook and posted a 1.35 ERA in 46.7 innings while she toed the rubber.

Brogden challenged batters with her speed last season. She'll need more movement on her pitches and work vertically up the strike zone instead of fill up the horizontal space.

"I have to make them guess," she said.

Last season, Brogden swung a lethal stick at the plate. She cranked out a .472 batting average with 34 hits, 23 runs scored, 39 RBI and five home runs. In eight games, Brogden recorded three or more RBI -- including a career-best five against James Kenan.

"With Rylee gone, that's the main absence out there because we can really, really use her defensively as well as offensively," Brogden said. "As a pitcher you really have to anchor down the team. It's going to make me have to step up, practice twice as hard so I can be able to fill the shoes that she left behind."