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Jemison softball held its second signing ceremony of the school year on Friday Jan. 13, as Destiny Bailey signed to play softball at Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville.

“It’s been good to see these kids grow up over the years with the goal to get to this point,” Hayes said. “Hopefully we’ll have even more signing in the next couple of years.”

Over Bailey’s high school and travel ball career, she has played every position at some time or another.

“She can play anywhere,” Hayes said.

She began playing softball when she was four years old and it has been a major part of her life ever since.

The path was not without adversity along the way, as Bailey suffered a knee injury two years ago that required extensive rehab.

However, throughout the recovery process she continued to imagine signing day and was determined not to let her injury derail her dreams.

“It was a terrifying feeling of not knowing,” Bailey said. “It has been a long ride, but today made it all worth it. I’m trying to hold back the tears, because I’ve always planned on going to college and softball helped get me there.”

One of her primary positions at Jemison is third base, which she enjoys because of the action that can take place with any pitch.

“When a line drive is coming to your face, you just have to try to block it out and make the play,” Bailey said.

She is also known for her hitting prowess and has worked on improving her patience at the plate in recent years.

“I always try to take my anger out on the ball,” Bailey said.

Bailey credits her mother for always being there for support through it all, from the knee surgery to the daily grind of practice.

“There were times when I wanted to give up, but she has continued to push me each day,” Bailey said.

Bailey joins teammate Jasmine Epperson who signed earlier in the school year to play softball at Marion Military Institute.

“They’ve worked on leading by example and working twice as hard, because they know that the younger girls are following their model,” Hayes said.