With seniors Bailey Buckley and Kyla Williams leading the way, the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars made it back to playoffs this year in softball. Now both will get the opportunity to play at the next level after signing scholarships Wednesday.
Buckley will be heading to Summit to play at Southwest Mississippi Community College, and Williams will play at Mississippi Delta Community College.
“They’re extremely hard workers and good kids,” CA head coach Kyle Wilks said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they will do at the next level.”
Buckley said it means a lot to her that her family, friends and coaches could be there with her as signed to play at the next level. “I feel like I’m really supported,” she said.
Buckley also had an offer from East Mississippi Community College and talked to Pearl River Community College, but she knew Southwest was where she wanted to be.
“I’m a big home girl, and it’s just like a big high school. I feel like it was more of a home-style school than some big school,” she said.
Buckley said she’s wanted to play in college since she was a kid, but there were times she wasn’t sure that would be a possibility. Now she has her sights set on starting as a freshman and earning straight A’s.
Buckley thanked her parents, Stacy and Carrie Buckley, Wilks and her hitting coach for helping her achieve her goal of reaching the next level.
Buckley hit .538 with six home runs, 16 doubles, four triples, 43 RBI and 45 runs scored and walked five more times than she struck out as a senior. She was MVP of the MAIS 3A/4A/5A all-star game with two doubles and a single in five at-bats.
Despite missing 12 games with an ankle injury, Williams hit .291 with a .443 on-base percentage, one homer, 21 RBI and 18 runs scored for the Lady Cougars in 2019.
She said it means a lot to her to sign a letter of intent to play at Mississippi Delta.
“I’m excited and nervous at the same time to have this opportunity to go to that next level,” she said.
Mississippi Delta has a law enforcement training academy on its Moorhead campus, and with her dad, Pete, being in law enforcement it was a selling point for Williams.
“Also their campus is really nice, and I felt comfortable there. I went home and prayed about it, and I felt like that’s where God was leading me to go,” she said.
Williams wants to continue to get better and impress herself and others with her ability.
“I want to show people that I’m not only good in high school; I’m also good in college,” she said.
Williams thanked her parents, Shyla and Pete, for taking her everywhere over the years playing softball, Wilks, her travel ball coaches and everyone who helped her along the way.”
