LORMAN, Miss. – The Alcorn State University softball program added more depth and athleticism to its roster with the signing of Becca Barnett, Marsha Hunt, Madyson Kim and Genise Wells, announced by head coach
Josef Rankin.
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"As far as the class, we signed four versatile young ladies who can play multiple positions. This is a very athletic group who we are adding to an athletic team. They will give us even more flexibility and allow us to elevate our ability to compete. I am very excited about being able to add some quality young ladies to our family," Rankin said.
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Becca Barnett
Barnett is a sophomore transfer from Iowa Western CC where she hit for a .420 average with three homers and 28 RBIs in 26 games. She's from Moline, Illinois and can play multiple positions as a utility player.
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"I picked Alcorn because I feel like it is the best choice for me to get the support I need and it has warm weather," Barnett said.
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When asked how COVID-19 impacted your outlook on softball and life in general moving forward, she said, "COVID has made me become closer with my family, but it has also made me realize how much I truly love softball and can't wait to get back on the field."
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Marsha Hunt
Hunt is a sophomore transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast CC where she hit for a .341 average in 34 games. The infielder is from Philadelphia, Mississippi.
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"I chose Alcorn because of how welcoming Coach Rankin was on my visit. Alcorn also offers my major with some of the best programs. Everything felt at ease leading up to my decision. I'm excited to be a Brave," Hunt said.
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When asked how COVID-19 impacted your outlook on softball and life in general moving forward, she said, "COVID-19 changed my life in ways I never would've dreamed of. I've been playing softball since I was 3, but I've played year-round since about the age of 11. Going to a college to play softball has always been a dream come true and it was very heartbreaking for it all just to come to an end. I've learned to make the best of every single day because you never know what the next day brings. I've learned to make the best out of everything you do because you don't ever get that moment back! Never take a day being in the diamond for granted because it can all be over for you in a snap of a finger. Never take life for granted, period."
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Madyson Kim
Kim is a sophomore transfer from Iowa Western CC. A native of Montebello, California, Kim can both pitch and play first base.
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"I chose Alcorn because I wanted to go to a school that would not only challenge me athletically but also academically. Also, after seeing the campus and speaking to Coach Rankin I knew it was the place for me," Kim said.
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When asked how COVID-19 impacted your outlook on softball and life in general moving forward, she said, "COVID has given me a huge reality check and has shown me that nothing is certain. We are told that our time as collegiate athletes won't last forever and I personally hadn't fully embraced that, but with having to leave school early and not being able to finish my last season I now know moving forward that these four years go by fast and I have to enjoy every moment I get on the field. This isn't something I'm going to apply just to sports but my everyday life as well, making sure I embrace all the good moments I get as well as learning and growing from the bad ones."
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Genise Wells
Wells will arrive at Alcorn as a freshman from the MLB New Orleans Youth Academy. The utility player is a New Orleans product.
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"With the bar on knowledge and character being so high, Alcorn is drawing in the best of the best: students with head and heart. It is drawing in people like me, wanting to contribute to the Alcorn legacy by bringing a wealth of poeticness, spirituality, cultural awareness, and civic-mindedness to this academia," Wells said.
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When asked how COVID-19 impacted your outlook on softball and life in general moving forward, she said, "The old folks were right! You never truly miss something until it is too late or it is not there anymore. I regret every practice day I took for granted. When I look back on them, each session motivated me to continue to stay the course, be a better captain, and a better teammate. Complaining used to be easy; now, I am begging to feel the dirt between my hands, the sun's kiss to my face, the sweat drenched down my back, the taste of water quenching my thirst, and the sore muscles that beg me to go home. I miss my teammates who had become family. This feeling of regret has me wanting to do anything, even strike out one last time. But, moving forward, the things I named will be the fuel I need to make it through this pandemic. When life returns, the world better look out for me; I am now driven, focused, and ready to ball."
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#FearTheBrave | #UnitedAsOne
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