Laura Brown put off the party for months before giving in.
The Evans senior signed to play softball for Augusta State during the early signing period last fall. There was no ceremony at the time, no cake or cameras. The news slipped under the radar.
But Brown finally was convinced to let friends and teammates celebrate with her. She "signed" again during a ceremony in the Evans media center Wednesday.
Brown said she had interest from Columbus State, Lander and Mercer.
"But I wanted to stay close to home," she said.
She tried out with Augusta State in the fall and committed two days later.
Brown pitched and played third base for the Knights. She pitches and plays second for the Blitz, her travel ball team.
She's not sure where Jaguars coach Melissa Mullins will have her play. But Evans coach Colette Cassedy thinks her standout can play anywhere.
"I just think that's what makes her an asset to any program is her versatility," Cassedy said. "Of course, she had exceptional speed. She's a good hitter, good glove, all that."
Brown helped lead the Knights to the Region 3-AAAA title her senior season. She was an All-Region selection three years in a row, was named the region's top pitcher in 2008, and earned a nod as a second-team all-state pick for Class AAAA.
As a pitcher, she went 15-5 with a 0.88 ERA and tossed seven no-hitters. She batted .336 with 17 RBI.
Brown said she has been playing softball since she was old enough to play T-ball, and had thought about playing college softball for about as long.
Brown said she plays each weekend with the Blitz, based out of McDonough, Ga., and would continue throughout the summer before starting at Augusta State in August.
Then she'll find out where the Jaguars need her to play on the field.
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