Two Latta High School students signed to play softball at the next level this Wednesday morning at Latta’s Ellis Performing Arts Center.
Maddie Berry signed with Wofford College. Berry has played softball most of her life for a total of 14 years.
Her dad has been her major influence and has constantly supported her through her entire softball journey. “He has pushed me to be not only be the best player and teammate, but also the best person I can be,” said Berry, who also enjoys playing volleyball.
Although she received offers from two other schools (Queens University in Charlotte and Presbyterian College), Berry, a pitcher, believes she is a good fit for Wofford. She plans to major in biology. “Wofford has such a family-oriented environment and that was something so important to me finding my future home. The team also have wonderful Christian Coaches and players who truly embody everything I want to be,” Berry said.
Softball has been an important part of Berry’s life. “ I will always remember the countless bonds and friendships softball has given me. Some of my closest friends I have come to know through softball,” Berry said. “As I go to play at Wofford one major thing I will take with me is my firm foundation in my faith. If I am glorifying the Lord on the field I know that my performance will reflect that. “
Berry has received a number of awards:
All Region: 2021, 2023, 2024
All Region Defensive Player of the Year: 2024
All State: 2023, 2024
Rookie of the Year: 2021
NETC Female Student Athlete of the Month
Berry’s mother, Crystal Berry, said, “For as long as I can remember, I have carried around a ball bag, cleats, gloves, bats, face masks, and dirt. Maddie started playing softball when she was four years old and always said, ‘I want to be in the circle. That’s my favorite place to be. I want to be able to wind my arm up like those big girls and strike people out.’ Who would have thought that fourteen years later we would be at her College Signing Day? While she still loves being in the circle and striking people out, softball has become much more than that. She has made friends who have truly become a part of our family. She’s learned that even if there isn’t a strikeout, her girls have her back and they’ll do their best to get the out. She knows that we, are greater than me, and He is greater than us. She knows that the key to success isn’t just in all the hard work, late nights, and early mornings. At the end of the day she knows it’s in maintaining her close relationship with God and letting His light shine through her when she is on the field. We’ve traveled all over the country for Maddie to play the game she loves. For every grain of dirt that I’ve accumulated, I know for certain that Maddie has also left a piece of her heart on every one of those fields. For all the coaches and players that have mentored Maddie, we are so appreciative for the support! For our Wofford coaches, we’re so excited for Maddie to be a part of your team! I’m excited to see what this upcoming season holds, so let’s go Vikings, and let’s go Terriers! “
Berry’s father, Kyle, said,
“Five-gallon buckets have many uses. Of course they are used to contain products and even hold vegetables when gardeners harvest them. Fourteen years ago, I found a great use for a five gallon bucket when Maddie started playing I absolutely love to read in the little free time that I have. At that time, an empty bucket under our carport became the container that held softballs, gloves and other gear for Maddie’s adventures in softball. We carried it to practices and games. I helped coach her teams in the beginning and used it as my seat during games and when we had team meetings. “
“Maddie loved playing in the circle, so as she grew older, she gravitated toward pitching. She started pitching lessons, and I was her first catcher. Things were pretty interesting at first to say the least. I had countless bruises on my legs and a broken toe as I endured wild pitch after wild pitch. We celebrated the strikes! Caroline Flowers, her first pitching coach, kept telling Maddie to explode off the mound, stay loose and the accuracy would come. I continued to sit on that bucket catching Maddie during hours and hours of practice and watched her get better and better.”
“Maddie loved softball, and she started playing travel ball. We went to tournaments all over the country – quite literally. The bucket went with us. Whenever packing for a tournament, the first thing put in the truck was the bucket.”
“As time passed, I got out of coaching but continued to catch Maddie while sitting on that bucket during her lessons and practices. My reflexes got slower while the pitches got faster, so I resorted to sitting on the bucket in catcher’s gear. We spent hours together, and as time passed, I realized that the time spent on the old bucket was about more than catching Maddie. I came to understand that I could not put a value on the time I spent sitting on that bucket catching Maddie’s pitches. The hours together created a bond between us that I will treasure forever. We talked about her dreams and goals in life. I encouraged her to dream big. I know I was tough on her, but I wanted her to understand that you achieve great things through God’s grace and by working hard. We laughed, cried, argued and always hugged during our sessions. I ended each practice letting her know that I was proud of her and loved her. “
“I am so thankful to God for Maddie. She is not defined by her athletic abilities. What I am proudest of is the value she places on her relationship with Christ. She uses her abilities throwing, catching and hitting a ball to honor Him first and foremost. For that I am most grateful. “
“I want to thank all of her coaches and teammates for their love and support during this journey. A big thanks to all of her teachers at Latta for preparing her for this next chapter at Wofford as well. I also want to thank Coach Chelsea Butler, Coach Kara Shutt, Coach Mark Line and Coach Taylor Liguori for giving Maddie this opportunity to continue to play the game she loves. Thanks, Maddie, for allowing me to be a part of your journey. Daddy will always be available to sit on that bucket for his big kid. “
Coach Jenny Melton, “I have had the privilege of coaching Maddie for the past five years at the varsity level. Maddie has been a huge asset to her local community, church, school, and softball team. She has been a person with strong Christian values/morals that I could depend on for anything I needed. It has been a pleasure to watch Maddie grow over the past five years both in the classroom and on the field. Her determination to improve day in and out sets her a part from her peers. She has a ‘go-get-her’ attitude and refuses to let anything stand in her path of success. I am excited to watch and support Maddie in her next chapter and I have no doubt she will be successful in her future endeavors as a Terrier and most importantly, an individual.”
Robbie Brown, athletic director, said, “It has been a joy to watch Maddie grow into the person she is. Not only is she a fantastic softball player, but she has a heart of gold, and she is willing to give her best effort with all tasks. Her willingness to help others is another amazing attribute that I have gotten to witness as well. I look forward to this new challenging journey that she will embark on, and I know she will do a great job as a Terrier.”
Outside of softball, Berry enjoys spending time with my friends and family and also being with my youth group. She also enjos fishing and playing volleyball.
Katelyn Johnson signed with Erskine College.
“I don’t remember a time that ball wasn’t a part of my life. My first words were dada, ball, & bat. I crawled dragging a bat around the house to tap the ball. I started playing t-ball at 3 and was completely hooked:” she said. She also enjoys cheerleading and is Varsity Cheer captain.
Her father and first coach Davy Johnson is her greatest influence.
Johnson believes she is a good fit for the college because Erskine is a Christian based college with a large percentage of students being athletes. “I am a Christian, Athlete and Scholar,” said Johnson, She plans to follow the PreMed track. She will major in Biology to later become a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. She absolutely lovesto read in the little free time that she has.
One of her favorite softball memories is when the 12u rec ball team traveled to Louisiana in 2018 & 2019 winning the World Series back-to-back.
Mental Toughness is 95% of the game, and she will take that to the college level.
Her positions are playing the corners, and she’s Committed for Third
Her awards include Rookie of the Year my freshman year and All Region my freshman, sophomore and junior year.
Her parents, Davy and Shelley Johnson, said ”Katelyn has always been a competitor. She amazes us with her dedication not only to the sport she loves but to her academics as well. She puts her entire heart into everything that she does including her faith and love for the Lord. We are extremely proud of the young lady that she has become on and off of the field. We know that God has big plans for her and we are excited to see what her next chapter holds. “
Coach Jenny Melton said, “I have had the opportunity to coach Katelyn for the past four years at the varsity level. Katelyn has always been a leader on and off the field. She is dedicated to achieving the highest level of success in everything she does. Katelyn exhibits a high level of energy and positive attitude, even when things are not going in the team’s or her own favor. Regardless of the situation she/we face, she finds a way to keep our dugout loud and proud! From day one Katelyn has always set high expectations for herself, as well as the team. She is a very dedicated student athlete who is driven towards success. I am excited to see what Katelyn’s future holds at Erskine and I know she will be successful.”
Coach Ben Owens said, “I have been coaching young ladies who are seeking the opportunity to play the sport they love while continuing their education at a secondary level for well over 15 years now. There are 3 ‘musts’ for this opportunity to transpire; academics, skill set, behavior. These are the obvious but, there are also 3 traits that must be adopted and adhered to by a young athlete to accomplish this goal. These 3 traits are dedication, determination and, desire. KJ walked up to me at a tournament (during a game) two years ago in Asheville NC, introduced herself and said, ‘hi my name is Katelyn Johnson and I would like to come play for you ,‘ well right then I knew she had the desire. KJ and I have come quite a ways since that day and she has diligently abided by my 3-D philosophy and grown in every aspect becoming a solid softball player, a valuable teammate, and soon to be a member of the Erskine College softball team. Congratulations KJ you earned it!!”
Athletic Director Robbie Brown, “I am so happy for KJ as I too am an alumnus of Erskine College. I know that she will excel as a member of the Fleet. Watching her grow and develop as a student-athlete has been joyous to watch over the past four years. She has a determination and will to compete at the highest level and I know that will carry with her to Erskine
PHOTO GALLERY
Photo by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
