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COLLEGE SOFTBALL: ATHENS' BENNETT SIGNS TO PLAY AT ALFRED UNIVERSITY (2020-01-19)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
ATHENS "” Athens senior Megan Bennett will continue her playing career at Alfred University next fall after signing a National Letter-of-Intent in a brief ceremony Saturday night.

Bennett, who posted a 12-3 record with an 0.94 ERA as a junior, said Alfred University was a "perfect fit."

"The whole atmosphere surrounding the program was positive," said Bennett. "All the girls on the team made me feel right at home, the campus is so pretty, and the psych program there is very good.

"It just seems like a perfect fit," she added.

The fact there was a personal connection also helped.

"My father is really good friends with the Alfred coach (Canton grad Luke Wesneski), and I've always been on his radar.

"He was at a lot of our (Valley Storm) games," said Bennett. "I talked to him, started to go to the campus ... I've been there a few times, and I've gotten to know a lot of the girls. It made it a lot easier to choose them."

Athens softball coach Mickey Farrell says Alfred University is getting a good, well-rounded student-athlete.

"She's a top-notch student in the classroom, a member of the National Honor Society," said Farrell. "She has a really good work ethic in the classroom, and that's carried over into her softball career, which makes her the perfect student-athlete, and that's what we want our kids to be."

Farrell also says the Saxons are getting a fierce competitor.

"She's a bulldog. When she's on the mound, she fights hard, and is on the attack all the time.

"The best thing about her is she never gets flustered," said Farrell. "She works through everything, and just has a great head for the game.

"I think Alfred is getting a kid who cares about her teammates, and who knows the game is not all about her - she knows she needs her teammates to make her successful," added Farrell.

While she made her bones in the pitcher's circle, Bennett also hit .419 with five extra-base hits in 62 at-bats as a junior. She'd like to hit in college as well as pitch.

"I think I'm in pretty good shape in terms of my pitching, but I want to play everyday," she said. "There's a chance I could play in the outfield, but I have to prove myself as a hitter."

Bennett was told she could see action in the pitcher's circle right from the get-go.

"The coach was very up front with me, he said there's a good chance I could be the starting pitcher my freshman year.

"There's a sophomore transfer coming in, but I think she's at the same level as I am," said Bennett. "I think I have a chance to see some time right off the bat, but I have to prove myself."

Bennett will majoring in Psychology, and says mixing academics and athletics will be her biggest obstacle.

"I think my biggest challenge will be keeping up with my school work and the demands of playing softball at the same time, but I'm really excited about starting the next chapter of my life," she said.

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior Megan Bennett. IN PHOTO 2: From left: Hannah Bennett (sister), Karen Bennett (mother), Megan Bennett, and Chris Bennett (father). IN PHOTO 3: Front row, from left: Hannah Bennett (sister), Karen Bennett (mother), Megan Bennett, and Chris Bennett (father). Back row: Athens assistant softball coach John Dipio (left), and Athens head coach Mickey Farrell. IN PHOTO 4: Front row, from left: Hannah Bennett (sister), Karen Bennett (mother), Megan Bennett, and Chris Bennett (father), who is also the Valley Storm head coach. Back row: Valley Storm coach Curt Maynard (left) and Jake Sullivan. IN PHOTO 5: Megan Bennett is shown with Valley Storm coaches and teammates. Front row, from left: Hali Jenner, Maddie Maynard, Megan Bennett, and Harley Sullivan. Back row, from left: Curt Maynard, Morgan Lee, Aubrey Ennis, Megan Lee, Chris Bennett, and Jake Sullivan. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.


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