Despite missing her entire junior season, West Marion senior Hannah Miller signed to play softball at Pearl River Community College Friday morning.
Prior to West Marion’s basketball season last year, Miller tore her ACL in practice and has had to battle her way back to full health. She missed all of last season on the softball diamond and said rehabbing the injury was hard.
“It’s like a mind game. You have to be strong in your mind in order to have a strong body,” she said. “There were some moments where I felt like I wanted to give up, but the support of the softball team and my family helped me push through it.”
The shortstop said it’s very exciting to sign with Pearl River because when she first started playing softball she didn’t know how far she would go.
“I just played the sport because I loved it. Now that I get to continue in college, I’m going to enjoy it for as long as I can,” she said.
Miller’s signature on the letter of intent had a little extra meaning to it Friday because it was the birthday of her mother, Sheena.
“It’s like a gift to her. She has been there for me since the beginning, and I’m giving back to her for all the years she’s been chasing after me and my sister playing,” she said.
Pearl River feels like home to Miller, and she said she believes she will succeed there and sees herself playing at a four-year university after her time with the Lady Wildcats.
“We’re very proud of Hannah for getting this scholarship,” Lady Trojans head coach Mike McMullin said. “She’s worked really hard and had a pretty major injury last year and has still worked hard to still get this chance. I know it was a lot of hard work.”
Principal Gigi Dunaway said she has watched Miller since she was in junior high and that two words come to mind when she thinks about her: consistency and perseverance. Dunaway added that it’s been an inspiration to see Miller continue to smile and push through the adversity she faced following surgery.
As a sophomore in 2018, Miller hit .442 with two home runs and 12 RBI and stole 24 bases as the catalyst atop West Marion’s lineup.
Pearl River went 27-22 last year and 15-13 in Region 23 competition.
Pictured Above: West Marion senior Hannah Miller signs a softball scholarship with Pearl River Community College Friday. She was joined by her parents, Noland and Sheena Miller, seated, and assistant coach Amanda Russell and head coach Mike McMullin. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
