Shaw softball’s Jordan Bagsby signs with ABAC
Shaw senior softball player Jordan Bagsby signed with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Friday. With her family, friends and ABAC head coach Jennifer Martinez by her side, Bagsby finalized her plans to play her sport at the next level.
“I was extremely happy and also nervous,” Bagsby said. “I wanted to make sure this was what I wanted to do and that I was ready for this.”
Bagsby explained how she decided ABAC was the right choice for her. She said she was very impressed with Martinez, who played collegiately at Arizona when the Wildcats played in the 2009 Women’s College World Series. Bagsby said when she toured the campus, she recognized all the great programs the school offered.
Perhaps more important than anything, Bagsby learned going to ABAC could make a dream unrelated to softball come true.
Bagsby said she has wanted to become a police officer and work her way up to detective since middle school. If she completes one of the programs that ABAC offers, the school will pay for her to attend the police academy.
Every tied to ABAC made it an opportunity Bagsby couldn’t pass up, which led to Friday’s signing. For her, sharing the moment with the ones who care so much about her made the moment even more special.
“(Having them there) really took me back to all the struggles I’ve been through and my friends and family being there then,” Bagsby said. “They stuck by me through everything, and it was really great knowing I have people who will always be by my side.”
Bagsby said her experiences as a Shaw softball player will pay dividends when she takes the next step in her life.
“I think becoming a leader of the softball team really prepared me for this moment,” Bagsby said. “I remember my freshman year, I just sort of hung back, but I had a lot of responsibilities I had to step up to (my senior year). I think that prepared me to go to college.”
Jordan D. Hill: 770-894-9818, @lesports
This story was originally published December 7, 2017 at 2:45 PM with the headline "Shaw softball’s Jordan Bagsby signs with ABAC."