Greeneville senior Brynlee Jones has grown to love softball and on Wednesday afternoon with friends and family watching she signed to continue her playing days with Milligan University.
“I’m really excited today. I was nervous making this decision and it was overwhelming at times, but now it feels really good,” Jones said. “It means a lot to me to get to keep playing softball. I’ve been playing ever since tee ball and the game means a lot to me. I’m glad I get another four years.”
Jones has become a key part of the Lady Greene Devils’ lineup both offensively and defensively over the past three seasons. Last year she had an impressive .423 batting average with a .496 on-base percentage. She had 41 hits with 11 doubles, two triples and three home runs to go with 32 RBIs and 39 runs scored.
From the pitching circle she struck out 134 batters in 109.1 innings with a 5.1 ERA.
She is joining the Lady Buffaloes as a utility player and is not sure how Milligan’s coaches want to use her yet, but she is excited to join the team and see where she fits.
Milligan is an NAIA school located in Elizabethton that competes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Lady Buffaloes are led by first-year head coach Cassie Fortner. She replaces Wes Holley who started the program in 1988.
The Lady Buffaloes’ coaches immediately made Jones feel welcome on campus and were a big part of why she felt comfortable signing with Milligan.
“It was very complicated making this decision, a lot went into it. But I’m glad I’ve made it, and Milligan was the right place,” Jones said. “The coaches were very welcoming and so were the players. I really liked the campus as well. They made feel like I was at home. I really like how they coached when I watched them in a preseason game, it reminded me of my high school coaches.”
Before she heads off to college Jones is excited for one more season at Greeneville. She will be counted on to be a leader once again this year as the Lady Devils try to make a deep postseason run.
“It’s going to be sad whenever my time at Greeneville is done, but I feel this program has really helped build me up into the player I need to be. I’m excited for this year, I’m looking forward to being a leader and helping these younger girls, and hopefully achieving our goals.”
Jones plans to major in Biology and wants to attend dental school after she graduates.
