Francis Marion Softball heads to Nationals!

Just wanted to give a shout out to Francis Marion University and former CF Maria Goode of Providence HS for winning the 2008 South Atlantic Regional this past weekend to earn their place at the National Tournament.

FMU won it on a 1-0 win v. North Georgia on Saturday in the final game of the tourney, winner take all. FMU was the #5 seed entering and N. Georgia was the #6 seed.

http://uncpbraves.athleticsite.com/page.asp?articleID=1064

Maria is probably one of the fastest kids playing the game in the southeast and earned a spot on FMU's roster this past summer after impressing Coach Stacey Johnson Vallee with her speed at the plate and hustle on the field. Maria was a standout performer at Providence HS and while she did not start playing fastpitch till she entered HS, learned the game quickly and started to excel on a daily basis. This is one kid that even if you do not know her should be a shining example to all young players that dreams do come true. Maria was not sure she'd end up playing college softball and one day during her senior year finally admitted it would be a dream, but she did not know if she could really do it. We got her on the Charlotte Cobras, pulled the college coaches in to watch and let her do her what she does, RUN, hustle and play hard. It wasn't long before several schools expressed interest. Francis Marion showed true belief in Maria's ability beyond her speed and was excited about her which in turn won Maria over; having a school and college coach believe in her as much as her high school and travel ball coaches did. Maria has been a role player much of the season, but is truly living one of the greatest experiences of her life and enjoying all of it. She is not an everyday starter, but is working to continue to break into the line up. She is often running the bases and getting AB's and playing time experience under her belt. She was not blessed with playing the game her whole life like many college players do, but she has remained positive, has accepted her role on the team and believes in her team and coach. Out of all the times we have talked this past year, she has never complained once about her team or coach or more chances to play. She is excited with every opportunity she gets and tries to make the most of it. Sometimes the good stories aren't about the "stars" of the team, but about the ones who find a way to succeed and whom truly just enjoy the sport and what it means to be a teammate while working toward a higher goal. As coaches at any level, we all need "Maria's" to be successful. Somehow I just know this kid will be playing quite often in the coming years for FMU. Her journey as a role player is a great one, but will continue her to further successes.

Congratulations Maria and the entire FMU staff and players.

 

Nice...

shout out EYEUPS!!!!

 

Yea

Good for her and nice job helping her.