PDA star signs to play college softball

Pee Dee Academy softball is preparing for the playoffs and one player has announced intentions to play at the next level.
This past Wednesday, Senior Christen Bucy signed a letter of intent to play softball at Columbia College.  Bucy has spent time during her career playing third base and on the pitcher’s mound. Fighting Koalas Head Coach James Morrison said he was excited to have the new addition.

“Good grades, she’s a good student with good character,” he said, adding that in the college game a team can never have enough pitchers. 
“I’m excited,” Bucy said. Helpful coaches like PDA Head Coach Bill Rogers, and longtime coach Wes Daniels have made a difference in her development, she said.

This year, Bucy is one of four seniors on the squad that advanced into the state championship final a year ago.
“We all get along great on the team. We’ve played together for so long, we pretty much grew up together, Bucy said of the program she has played on since her eighth grade year. Bucy said one of her favorite subjects is math, and will soon decide on a major when she arrives on campus.

Parents Robert and Charlene Bucy were both proud to join their daughter during the signing. “She’s played for a number of years,” Charlene Bucy said. “I’m proud of her; she’s worked hard and deserves it,” Robert Bucy added.
Picking up the sport at nine years old, the first coach Bucy had, Wes Daniels, ended up being her coach once she joined the PDA softball program. “I’m very proud of her. We think she is not only a player but also a big part of our family. A lot of kids say they want to be good, but three or four nights a week, Christen is out working on her own,” Daniels said, adding that Bucy is mastering her pitching and location through hard work. “I don’t think he will find a better kid,” Daniels said of the signing.

Rogers, in his first year as Head Coach, said Bucy has great character and is a team player. “I think her being a part of the team for so long, it helps in her leadership, and I think those four seniors feel that it’s their team,” Daniels said.
Bucy was also a part of a very good volleyball program while in school. “We’re pretty proud of our athletic department,” Morison said, adding that it will be an exciting time, as the team will play on a new field. 

Bucy can look forward to 36 Southern States Athletic Conference games in the NAIA, Morrison said.  Currently, the Lady Golden Eagles hold a 12-7 overall record, and are 8-2 in conference play.