Patience is one of Savanah Stapleton’s strengths.
Ever since she started playing softball at an early age, Stapleton has dreamed about playing the sport in college. Through slow- and fast-pitch seasons at Central Academy in Macon, Stapleton honed her craft at third base and in the outfield and later at catcher.
Along the way, Stapleton developed “fabulous” friendships with teammates like Sadie Lindsey, Allie Beth Rigdon, and Kelsey Robbins and helped the Lady Vikings have success on the softball field.
All of those things came together Wednesday, as Stapleton realized her dream by signing a scholarship to play softball at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba.
“Forever,” Stapleton said when asked how long she has been dreaming about playing softball in college. “It was pretty amazing. It was one of those things you talk about today it was reality.”
Stapleton admitted to being nervous, but she said she didn’t have any second thoughts about playing for coach Kyndall White and the Lady Lions. She said a campus tour of EMCC about a month ago convinced her Scooba was the place for her. She said she didn’t hesitate when White offered her a scholarship the day of the visit.
“I was surprised. I have always played from my heart and for the team,” Stapleton said. “I have not always thought of myself as a great player, so when she offered me I was humbled.”
Central Academy softball coach Sammy Lindsey wasn’t surprised Stapleton received a scholarship offer to play softball in college. He has been coaching Stapleton ever since she and his daughter, Sadie, joined with Allie Beth and Kelsey to form the “Fabulous Four.” That quartet has been a part of years of successful programs at the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools member school. They have been integral parts of numerous MAIS slow-pitch titles and have helped the Lady Vikings become one of the state’s best Class A softball programs. Last season, Central Academy lost in the Class A State title series. This season, Central Academy lost in the Class A Overall State tournament and finished 18-8.
“Savanah got better every year,” Lindsey said. “Her hustle caught the attention (of coach White) as much as anything. It is hard to get some catchers to back up throws when runners aren’t on second or third, but I think she really saw the hustle and the attitude really helped.”
Lindsey said Stapleton hit better than .480 this season and hit five over-the-fence home runs to give her a program best 15 for her career. He said Stapleton hit better than .500 last season.
Lindsey also said Stapleton has been a fast study at catcher. Stapleton started to play the position as a sophomore and has learned to love getting down and dirty and helping pitchers control the game. Lindsey said Stapleton’s mental and physical toughness and strong arm are qualities that have helped her become a standout at the position.
“She is gritty,” Lindsey said. “Getting dirty and being tough fits her physical makeup. She is all out hustle. That fits her. In softball, you’re supposed to get down and dirty. I think that just fits her.”
Stapleton said playing catcher fits her personality. She credits Lindsey for helping her develop as a catcher. In fact, she said her desire to please him and to prove to him she could play the position helped her mature and learn to love playing arguably the toughest position on the field.
“I became passionate about it and I wanted to do it for myself, for coach Sammy, and for my team,” Stapleton said. “I didn’t feel real confident at first when he put me at catcher, but him believing in me made me feel better about it, and it made me strive harder to be a catcher.”
Stapleton said she hoped she would get an opportunity to play softball at the next level, but she wasn’t sure it was going to happen. She said she continued to pray about it and felt God would open that door for her if it was meant to be. On Wednesday, she realized a dream that was years in the making. She said it was even more special to celebrate that occasion with friends and teammates who have helped her grow as a player and as a young woman.
“We always kept each other motivated,” Stapleton said of her “Fabulous Four” teammates. “When one of us down we kept each other pumped up. I know it will be hard going into my freshman year at Scooba not having them there because we all knew each other’s moods and kept each other up if we struggled. I am sure I will find teammates like that on the team at EMCC to help me stay focused, but without the other three it will be an adjustment.
“It is real exciting. I am going to work hard and try to improve and maybe after junior college I will be able to take it to the next level. That is what coach Lindsey always taught us to do, to strive for your best and give 100 percent on the field. That is what I did for him, and that is what I plan to do being a Lion.”
Lindsey has no doubts Stapleton will continue to hustle and show that toughness he came to love.
“I am glad to see it pay off for someone who has worked and sweated when the heat index was 115 or 120 and busted their tail,” Lindsey said. “It was a special day for us. Anytime we can send someone on to the next level, we are proud.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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