Recruiting: Pleasant Valley softball's Ward picks Gadsden State

Nov. 16—PLEASANT VALLEY — Gracee Ward is taking the fast track.

Ward, a junior on Pleasant Valley's softball team, celebrated her commitment to play softball at Gadsden State on Thursday in Pleasant Valley's library.

Despite being a junior, Ward said that she will be able to graduate and begin playing at the next level early after taking all the classes she needs in order to graduate early.

Pleasant Valley softball coach David Bryant said that not only did she hit the ground running with school, but she also made a quick impact on the softball field.

"She started in our program in the seventh grade playing JV ball, and she's worked extremely hard to get to where she's at," Bryant said. "Coach Duncan, who used to be an assistant with me, he would give her lessons in catching and hitting on the side. She's put a lot of extra work in to get to where she's at. She's a leader on the field and an excellent student in the classroom. She's just one of the typical Pleasant Valley girls. She's a good player, but she's a better person."

Last season, Ward finished second on the Raiders in RBIs (38), posting a .392 batting average and a .488 on-base percentage.

The first baseman said that when she took a visit to Gadsden State and met first-year coach Ryan Clark, she was very "excited and thrilled."

"I've put in a lot of time and tears in the weight room and softball," Ward said. " I got hurt two years ago, playing softball, and we didn't make it to regionals that year. This past year, whenever we made it to regionals, and then we didn't lose, we got to state. Then, I was just very thankful for how Coach Bryant taught us, and the teammates. We had good team chemistry last year."

With the absences of two starting right fielders, Bryant remembered how Ward stepped up and played well in the field as an eighth grader to help Pleasant Valley make a strong run in the playoffs.

"She had started in right field during the regional tournament, and she did a great job," Bryant said. "She was an eighth grader, so she stepped up as an eighth grader. Like I said, it was a hard-fought battle, hit here or there, we go to the state tournament. That's one of the things I remember about her when she was young, especially. But she's a great batter, versatile in the field and is a good leader."

Ward said she was able to get in position to play college softball at the next level early by taking higher-level classes early as a freshman.

"The summer of my ninth grade year, I took two of my 10th grade classes already," Ward said. "Last year, I had two 11th grade classes and two 10th grade classes. Then, I took a class online during school last year and then I took one summer class this year. Now I have all senior classes and I don't have a math this year."

Bryant added that as a Gadsden State alumni, he's excited to see another Pleasant Valley Raider play for the program he calls his alma mater.

"Some of my best days and memories were playing baseball at Gadsden State for Coach Bill Lockridge," Bryant said. "I've got a lot of good lifelong friendships from that time and just a lot of great memories. You look back and you don't really think about all the wins, you just think about the fellowship that you had and the times and the memories that you experienced."

Sports Writer Thomas Ashworth: 256-236-1551. On Twitter: @ThomasAshworth0.