When Haley Bigwood first started playing softball, she envisioned big things in her future.
“I did have a vision,” Bigwood said. “When it actually came, everything fell into place.”
Now that her high school career is nearing its conclusion, the final step to playing softball at the collegiate level is now on the horizon.
After her graduation from Athol High School this coming spring, Bigwood will attend Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Fla.
A Division 1 junior college with a sunny, scenic campus filled with palm trees, the softball program is one of the best in the JUCO circuit.
“It’s a great program,” Bigwood said. “It’s a medium-sized campus. It’s not small and it’s not big, it’s right in the middle. Their practice schedule and program really made me feel that it will better me as a player. It was home to me when I went there.”
Bigwood earned a full scholarship to play for the Buccaneers. The goal is to hone her skills at the two-year school in hopes of eventually playing NCAA Division I softball back in New England.
“So many kids come out of there and go to Division I schools for the next two years,” Bigwood said.
Locally, Bigwood considered Saint Michael’s College, AIC and Franklin Pierce.
“I could have played D-2 around here,” Bigwood said. “As much as I have worked as a player, I think I can get to D-1.”
Bigwood went on a visit in November after meeting coach Robert Iamurri at a softball tournament in Connecticut.
There was apprehension at first for Bigwood when considering a school so far away.
“When I went to visit I had a totally different view,” Bigwood said. “It’s going to better me academically.”
In addition to her athletic pursuits, Bigwood plans to study criminal justice and possibly forensics.
There is still unfinished business in Athol, with Bigwood still yet to finish her final seasons playing basketball and softball for the Red Raiders.
The girls basketball team is 2-2, and the softball team will return all key contributors from last season.
“I want to go far,” Bigwood said of the softball season. “But I don’t know what it will look like as far as numbers. But we are hoping to go far.”
Bigwood hit .459 last season for the Red Raiders. The strong-armed shortstop also led the team in hits with 28 and had three home runs.
Last season the Buccaneers went 54-3 before getting upset in the NJCAA District H championship game against Chipola.
Fuzzy Zoeller is a notable alumni of the school. The softball program has produced nine Division I players as of 2018, including Mikenzie Vaughn who plays for Florida Golf Coast University.
