Diehl inks to play for Grayson

PEARCY -- After pitching Lake Hamilton into the Class 6A state playoffs in May, Annalee Diehl signed to continue her softball career on the collegiate level at Grayson College in Denison, Texas.

Lake Hamilton head coach Amy Teague said she was pleased to hear of her star pitcher's commitment.

"I'm excited for Annalee and the opportunity she has," she said. "She will do well at the next level. She's got all the tools she needs. ... I'm excited for her. She's a great kid, and she will do well."

Diehl was originally committed to another school, but it was not exactly what she wanted.

"I was committed to another junior college eight hours away," she said. "I'm big on family, and that's a long way from home. I talked to the (Henderson State University) coach, and I was praying about it. I said, 'If this isn't where I need to be, let me know.' The next day, (Grayson College) called me."

This was not the first time Diehl heard from the Vikings coaching staff.

"They had called before," she said. "They told me that they saw me, and they offered me a full scholarship. It's only four hours away."

That was all she needed to change her mind, plus there is a good chance she will get to be back in the circle in the spring.

"They have one returning pitcher," she said. "I'll have to fight for it, but if I can beat out the next person, I can get it. I can hit and pitch. So if I can get my bat going, it will be easier to get me in the lineup, too."

Teague noted the fact that Diehl will have a pitching coach will only improve her ability.

"Moving to the next level, she needs a pitching coach," she said. "Here, it's just me and the other coaches. She will make big gains with some focused coaching."

Diehl said after a lackluster performance at the plate in the state tournament, she wanted to visit the school to show off her talent at the plate.

"I went down there the day after graduation," she said. "I asked them if I could hit, and they let me. After seeing me hit, he said that nothing had changed, that the offer still stands. I signed that day."

Grayson College is a member of the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference, which competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association.