GREENVILLE – Greenville senior Lauren Baughn committed to play college softball for Edison State Community College following the Lady Wave’s game against Sidney on Monday.
Baughn, the daughter of Monica and Brady Baughn, will be part of the first softball team in Edison history next year.
“I’m just so excited for this opportunity. I know Coach (Dan) Cain has signed girls that can make it at the next level,” she said. “I’m just ready to play at the next level.”
The Greenville senior is the 15th player to commit to Edison for the upcoming season.
“I’m so happy to be a part of it and be part of the first team,” Baughn said.
Baughn plans to study communications in college. She’ll transfer to a four-year university after her time at Edison but thinks Edison is a great place to start her college years.
“I think Edison is good for me,” she said. “It’s close. I can stay at home and still go to college. It’s just going to be good for my first year.”
Baughn is the fourth Greenville softball player to commit to play college softball this year. With the amount of talent on Greenville’s roster she hasn’t gotten a lot of playing time, but Lady Wave coach Jerrod Newland expects her to be ready to compete at the college level.
“Our program is a little unique right now in the last few years with the talent that we have and everything,” Newland said. “Lauren just works hard every day, and when she gets her opportunities she makes the most out of them. That’s a great epitome of a great team player.”
Cain – a former high school coach at Covington, Miami East, Northridge, Troy Christian and Troy – is excited to add a Greenville player to his program and expects Baughn to compete for playing time during Edison’s inaugural season.
“I know how they do things, a lot of respect for the way they do things and what the kids are learning here so any kid I can get from Greenville I know they’re going to be fundamentally sound,” Cain said. “What I’ve learned about Lauren is from Jerrod telling me she’s a good hitter. I know she’s stuck behind kids here, and we’re going to have a good team over there, but she’ll come in and she’ll compete. I’ll give her an opportunity to compete for a starting position at first base, possibly, outfield, (designated hitter), wherever. So she’ll get the opportunity over at Edison State.”
Throughout her high school career Baughn has been a great team player and was part of the Lady Wave’s regional final teams the past two years.
“Just a great kid,” Newland said. “Works hard every year and just keeps getting better. To have that opportunity as a 4.0 student to move on and play softball. Lauren can play outfield, she can play first base, do a lot of things, hitting is her strength.”
