Dogs' Myers realizes her dream beyond high school

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 31, 2018 5:51 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

PRINCETON -- Briana Myers stepped on to the Dail Softball Stadium dirt infield at North Carolina State, scratched the surface with her cleats and felt goosebumps.

For two sun-filled and warm afternoons, she filed away memories that she'll treasure forever -- including the first-ever state softball championship in Princeton High School history.

"When I got that experience, I really wanted to go play college ball," Myers said.

She realized that dream Wednesday afternoon.

Flanked by her family and coaches, Myers officially signed with N.C. Wesleyan.

There's a bonus, too.

Myers will join former teammate Beth Braswell, who just completed her freshman campaign with the Battling Bishops.

"She was excited...told me to go there and nowhere else because she didn't want me to leave her," Myers said. "We grew up together when we were little playing travel ball. It's going to be pretty fun going there and playing with her now."

An injury benched Myers for part of 2017.

The versatile infielder endured a right-shoulder injury -- a phase-three tear of the labrum and a torn bicep. She rigidly followed rehab instructions and gave up travel ball during the summer.

When she returned, she acted as if nothing happened.

Especially this season.

Myers hit safely in her first 13 outings, including plating a career-high seven runs against Wilson Hunt. Overall, she collected at one least one hit in 18 of 21 contests.

In the Bulldogs' first two playoff games, she batted 10-for-10 with eight runs scored and eight RBI.

Myers batted an eye-popping .561 with 37 hits and 30 RBI, and struck out just four times in 81 plate appearances for the year. She helped guide the Bulldogs to their 12th straight Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season crown and a third-round appearance in the playoffs.

"Defensively and offensively, she was strong," PHS head coach Terry Braswell said. "She'll help them all the way around because she's good defensively, but really more with her bat. If she continues to have a good eye [seeing the ball], she'll do well with the bat.

"She's going to be hard to replace, but somebody's got to do it."

Myers prefers the hot corner on defense, but can play second base and the outfield. She'll work wherever she's needed for NCWC, which ended up 21-15 this spring.

"I'm ready to go to the next level, meet some new people and play with them," Myers said.

New memories await.