Oran's Williams to play softball for Jefferson College

Lady Eagles' catcher was a four-year starter

sd_sports@yahoo.com

ORAN -- A fixture behind the plate for the Oran Lady Eagles softball team the past four years, Amanda Williams has chosen Jefferson College as the next step in both her softball and academic careers.

Making the decision official, Williams signed her National Letter of Intent Monday afternoon in front of her family and coaches at Oran High School.

"It feels pretty good just knowing that I can continue playing and get my education," Williams said.

Located 40 miles southwest of St. Louis in Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a two-year school that competes in Region XVI of the National Junior College Athletic Association as part of the Midwest Community College Athletic Conference.

Last year the Vikings softball team went 35-22, losing to Crowder College in the Region XVI Tournament to end the season.

In helping the Lady Eagles reach the Class 1, District 1 championship game this past season, Williams batted .446 with a .561 on-base percentage and 25 RBIs. She collected 11 doubles, a triple and a home run on the way to 29 hits on the year.

With her numbers came plenty of accolades, including All-District and All-Region honors while also being named second team All-State. She was also voted the Scott-Mississippi Conference Player of the Year while making the All-Standard Democrat and All-Southeast Missourian softball teams.

"She kind of led by example," Oran softball coach Sara Heisserer said of Williams. "She wasn't very vocal, but she was never any trouble. She just always played well, played hard and gave it all she had.

"I think she'll carry all that over to Jefferson as well."

Though she was also considering Three Rivers Community College, Williams cited her desire to go in to Jefferson's Sports Medicine program as well a their head coach Tony Cook's aggressive pursuit of her since this past summer as big reasons in her decision.

She added that recent losses to Jefferson's roster should allow her plenty of playing time.

"They're losing both of their catchers so coach Tony Cook said they needed somebody to come in and take up a big role," she said. "Somebody who is going to work hard and give all they can to fill the spot of the players they're losing."

After finishing here degree in sports medicine at Jefferson, Williams said she hopes to transfer to a four-year college with the possibility of becoming a physical therapist.