Straughn senior catcher Stephanie Bracewell said Friday that she would not be where she is today without the help of her coaches and teammates.

On Friday, Bracewell signed a scholarship to play softball for the Lady Saints at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.

For the past five years, Bracewell has played on the varsity softball team for the Lady Tigers. Three of those years were at her current position at catcher.

“It’s been a real treat,” Bracewell said. “If it wasn’t for coach (Ray) Wilson and my teammates, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They have helped me drive forward to succeed.”

Bracewell started to play softball at a young age in the Andalusia Dixie softball league at Johnson Park at 5 years old.

While at Straughn, Bracewell has helped lead her team to back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Class 3A state softball tournament. In addition, she made the all-tournament team in 2008 and 2009.

The last two seasons have been impressive for the senior.

In 2008, Bracewell finished with a .362 batting average, scored 54 runs and had eight RBIs, one home run, 11 doubles, two triples and 14 stolen bases.

Last season, she finished with a .356 batting average, scored 39 runs and had 14 RBIs, one home run, one double, six triples and 23 stolen bases.

After the 2009 season, Bracewell played on the 2009 North-South All-Star softball tournament in Huntsville and in the 2009 16-and-under South Alabama Babe Ruth regional softball tournament in Andalusia.

With this year being her last at Straughn, Bracewell said the team has set some high goals.

“We’ve set a goal that you start like you finish,” she said. “So, our motto for this year is to finish strong. And I feel like we’ll succeed in doing that.”

LBWCC softball coach Tommy McDaniel said he was “fortunate” to recruit Bracewell to his team.

“We’re very fortunate to have Stephanie,” he said. “Right now, we’re feeling very lucky to get her.

“She has a lot of heart,” he said. “I coached her this summer (at the regional tournament). She can swing the bat and we’re going to let her do what she does.”

Bracewell is the daughter of Alan and Judy Bracewell of Andalusia.