Exiting news arrived last week for Corsicana High School softball player Raylee Smithart. She received a full ride scholarship to attend Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana. She would love to eventually be a coach. She plans to double major in education and kinesiology starting at this two year college and then heading on to a four year college. The Bossier Parish college is only a seven year old school with a three year old field. Raylee is a pitcher but has been assured that when she is not pitching, she will play different positions.

Trying out it was just her and the softball coach which was unusual since other tryouts had about 70 other girls. Raylee worked hard to get to where she is. She practiced every week at least three times for an hour or two and participated in a lot of tournaments with a lot of coaches. She practiced pitching for six years and has been planning to play college ball from the beginning.  It was a lot of work, but it was fun too. She went on several road trips where she met people and coaches. When asked about her influences she said every coach influenced her in some way but her father pushed her the most. She put all her information onto four different recruiting websites, starting with volleyball and adding softball later. Raylee is happy to be where she is at and says that even though it was a lot of work, she would not trade any of it. Her high school number was eight and she is pleased to announce that eight will also be her college number. Way to go Raylee!