North Duplin senior Addy Higginbotham, second from right, signs a nationa letter-of-intent to play softball at Wingate University. At right is her dad, Joey. Her mom and softball coach Jaime Kylis, left, and sister, Grace, second from left, watch her sign. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CALYPSO — The college softball recruiting process intimidates most athletes.
Not Addy Higginbotham.
The confident infielder has mastered her craft through countless hours of dedication diamond during high school and travel-ball season. That’s not to mention the guidance, support and always-insightful advice she’s received from her parents, who are two former college coaches.
She’s absorbed their knowledge and gets to live out her dream of playing the game she passionately loves at the next level.
The North Duplin senior signed a national letter-of-intent to continue her career at traditional in-state powerhouse Wingate University.
Higginbotham visited eight different schools before she decided on the Bulldogs.
“I’m a little nervous, but happy and thankful … relieving that I don’t have to worry about the next four years,” Higginbotham said. I was like this is where I’m supposed to be. This is my home. It was like an overwhelming feeling that you get and I can’t describe it [in words]. After the visit, it was something I couldn’t stop thinking about no matter what I tried to do to get my mind off of it.
“It was a love a first sight kind of thing.”
Her mom, Jaime Kylis, played college softball at Valdosta State University. As a coach, she guided the University of Mount Olive to two consecutive NCAA Division II Southeast Regional appearances.
Her dad, Joey Higginbotham, played basketball at UMO. He assisted then-head coach Bill Clingan on the 2004-05 team that advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
Their influence undoubtedly played a role.
“Addy had many options and we let her decide,” Kylis said. “She had to feel comfortable, had to feel at home [and] safe. I’m most proud of the decision she made. It wasn’t about going Division I, she wants to win. She wasn’t caught up in the big stuff.
“Now I just get to sit back, be a parent. I really respect and trust her college coaches. They’re just good humans. I feel that from them and so does Addy.”
Wingate fit Higginbotham’s top two criteria — close to home and an opportunity to succeed on the big stage.
The Bulldogs completed a historical run last spring. They dominated the South Atlantic Conference, won a school-record 48 games and finished runners-up to eventual national champ North Georgia in the best-of-three DII Southeast Regional finals.
Wingate made its second consecutive postseason appearance and eighth overall in program history since 2003.
An infielder and a smart, aggressive hitter in the box, Higginbotham isn’t sure where she’ll fit in.
“I’m excited,” she said. “It makes me want to work harder to get to where I can [as a player], so we can make more history. I think I can help with my energy, feel like I’m a good teammate … bring any teammate that’s down up and bring good vibes.
“I am going to have to get used to the coaching styles, get better myself and learn about my teammates since I’ve never played with any of them.”
Higginbotham helped lead North Duplin to a fourth consecutive Carolina 1A Conference regular-season championship last spring. The second baseman emerged as the team leader in batting average (.629), plate appearances (78), official at-bats (70), runs scored (37), hits (44) and RBI (25). She cranked out 18 extra-base hits.
Defensively, she logged a .966 fielding percentage with 31 putouts and 25 assists.
The NC Fastpitch Coaches Association recognized her as the District 2 Player-of-the-Year and All-State 1A East POY.
The Rebels (13-6 overall) endured a season-ending loss to Pinetown Northside that could have proven costly for Higginbotham’s senior campaign. She felt her shoulder pop out and back in during an at-bat in the game.
MRI exams revealed no significant damage.
“We shut her down immediately after that … did lots of physical therapy and she got through it,” Kylis said. “She knows it’s a priority and it’s something that she’ll have to do for the rest of her [playing] career. It was kind of unfortunate that it happened.
“If you go back and watch the game [film], you can see the moment that it happened, too. She got through it. It could have been worse.”
Higginbotham said she continues to feel minimal pain, but fights through it on a daily basis. She’s gearing up for another championship run in basketball and can’t wait for next spring to arrive.
After all, that’s her home until next fall.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
