Friday afternoon softball player Mckynleigh Harrell signed a scholarship to Valdosta State University to continue her career as a catcher.

Harrell admitted she was a bit nervous about her signing today, seeing all the people who came to watch her, but she is excited for this new chapter in her life.

Harrell overcame a lot of adversity in order to get to this new level of playing. Her junior year she underwent major surgery after tearing her labrum in her shoulder.

“She’s worked tremendously hard to come back,” Harrell’s mother, Vicky said. “There have been a lot of neigh Sayers who didn’t think she would overcome it, but she did.”

Vicky said Mckynleigh is a true testament of God answering prayers.

Harrell agreed with that, saying this year has been trying, putting her in a lot of high stress situations and working to make a come back, but she knows it will help her in the long run, because college is full of intensity and high stress.

However, Harrell knows no matter the stress she will have her new teammates to look to.

“All the girls on the team are really close with each other,” she said. “I like how it’s more than just a softball team. They are all best friends with each other and do stuff outside of practice.”

Harrell has a lot of memories with her teammates at BHS and will never forget hitting her walk off homerun against Statesboro. She said the team and coaches have always taught her to never give up, no matter the circumstances.

“You can always make a comeback,” she said. “Even if you’re three runs down in the bottom of the seventh, you can still win.”

Coach Christopher Bryant will miss working with Harrell.

“She’s been a great player and a great leader for the Lady Cats, and I know she will be the same at Valdosta,” he said.

Harrell looks forward to her next four years at VSU and plans to become a NICU nurse or physical therapist, while finishing playing ball.