Marengo Academy’s Edmonds signs with UWA

LINDEN — Marengo Academy senior pitcher Andrea Edmonds will continue her softball career with the University of West Alabama after signing with the NCAA Division II program Tuesday.

“I’m excited,” Edmonds said. “It’s a weird feeling today, but I’m really excited to start over there and be a Tiger. I’m always going to be a Longhorn though.”

Edmonds pitched her way to a 21-6 record with a 1.33 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 153 innings during the 2014 season, a campaign that saw the Lady Longhorns finish as state runner-up. During the state title tournament, Edmonds pitched 41 innings in two days, earning All-Tournament honors. The Lady Longhorn hurler also took home ASWA All-State honorable mention honors last season.

“She is probably the hardest worker and she really tries to get better,” MA softball coach Duane Edmonds said. “She’s never satisfied. Not many people work as hard to try to be where she’s at. I think she has the mental capacity to deal with whatever the situation is.”

Over the last two seasons, Edmonds is 44-8 with 388 strikeouts in 300 innings with a 1.43 ERA.

“I feel like I need to pick up on my speed a little, just because I’m going to the collegiate level,” Andrea said of what she needs to improve between now and the time she steps foot on campus at UWA. “Making the pitches move a little more because the hitters are so much better at that level.”

The UWA opportunity opened up for Edmonds when she participated in a camp that was attended by Tiger coach Will Atkinson.

“I’d went to a camp before and they saw me there and really liked what they saw,” Edmonds said. “He said he really liked my attitude and the way I got along with my teammates, not just the skills I had on the mound. He said that’s what sealed the deal.”

Andrea is the daughter of Dane and Robin Edmonds. She intends to major in Athletic Training while at UWA.