STARKVILLE — Shareda Brown never saw the offer coming.
After all, the Starkville High School fast-pitch softball player batted just .191 and had a .296 on-base percentage this season. Though she fielded at a .953-percent clip at first base, she didn”t think she”d done enough to earn a scholarship and was prepared to focus on academics in college like most of her senior classmates.
That was until Meridian Community College answered her call.
The process began with a promise from Starkville High coach Mimi Milling to help her jump-start the recruiting process, which started with a visit to a MCC game. Brown got a taste of what college softball and wanted a piece of it.
Still, she had initiate contact with MCC and plan her visit/tryout. She had to market herself, despite not coming from one of the softball powerhouses in the area like New Hope or East Webster.
Nothing was guaranteed, but Brown was rewarded with a scholarship offer to the school she would have attended without it.
On Monday, Brown signed her National Letter of Intent and became Milling”s second player to sign a college scholarship. Tamara Bell joined East Mississippi C.C. last year.
“It”s a great program, and the coaches are very easy to get along with,” Brown said. “It”s still a surprise and exciting at the same time. I”ve accomplished one of my goals.”
Brown will join a MCC squad that went 4-22 this season and 2-30 in 2010. Competing for playing time shouldn”t be an issue, especially given Brown”s versatility. She started at third base as a junior and at first base this season following Bell”s graduation.
Brown”s steady glove was a calming influence to her teammates and coaches, Milling said.
“She made a lot of plays happen at first,” Milling said. “I”ve got to replace another good first baseman, and with Shareda I”ve got to replace an emotional leader. I could scream and fuss and she never got down. Even though it takes more than one player, she built the team.”
The move to MCC also will allow Brown to be close to her mother, who lives in Meridian.
A little more than two years ago, Brown came to Milling hoping to become a softball player. She was coming off a fractured ankle and was already playing basketball for Kristie Williams.
In the midst of rebuilding Starkville High softball to the level it was when she played, Milling said there was plenty to work with and not much to change when Brown stepped on the field.
“She was good and she earned it,” Milling said. “She handled her business and worked hard every day. I hope her signing with Meridian shows the other girls there”s softball beyond high school and if they work hard they can keep playing. Shareda”s moving on because she loves to play.”
After finishing 5-15, Brown admits she”s disappointed she never led the Lady Yellow Jackets to the playoffs. However, her senior season was another small step in the transformation of the program.
“I really believe this year was the best we”ve had,” Brown said. “We had a lot of people who were more dedicated and willing to play and give it their all. We didn”t have as much attitudes with all the positive people around. It was a good way to end.”
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