Leigha Woody signs with Williams College

Manila senior Leigha Woody signed a letter of intent to play softball for Williams Baptist College on Friday morning at the Manila High School gymnasium.

Leigha Woody signs letter of intent to play softball with Williams Baptist College. Pictured are, from left: Williams Coach Eric Newell, Leigha, Manila softball coach Jeff Priest. Standing -- Dale, Christy, Landon and Lauren Woody. (Town Crier photo/Revis Blaylock)

Family members, friends, teammates, coaches, and teachers were on hand to congratulate her.

Manila High School softball coach Jeff Priest said Williams is getting a good player.

Leigha was two time All Conference selection and led her team in RBIs and batting average last year. She played in the State Junior Showcase last year.

So far this year she has a 484 batting average. She plays short stop for the Manila Lady Lions and bats clean-up.

The Lady Lions have an 8-2 overall and 4-1 in 3A-3 Conference play this season.

Leigha said she chose Williams Baptist College because it is a Christian college, it is small and she really liked the coach and the school.

"I had never heard of Williams Baptist until two years ago," she said. "A softball player from there was talking about the school. I visited it and I made up my mind then I wanted to go there."

Leigha, daughter of Dale and Christy Woody, will be an honor graduate. She loves softball and has played during the high school season as well as the summer season.

"I want to give a shout out to Susan Wise who has coached me almost all of my life and Junior Wise," Leigha said. "They have been instrumental in getting me here."

Leigha has played with the Delta Outlaws the last two years. They are coached by Joe Robertson and Paul Robertson. The team has made it all the way to the USFA World Series in Panama City, Fla., in 2008 and 2009.

Leigha said she is looking forward to playing college softball.

Williams Lady Eagle Coach Eric Newell presented Leigha with a Williams Baptist tee shirt as he welcomed her to the team.

The Lady Eagle softball team has a 28-9 record for the year. They have three seniors graduating this year.

"We are excited to have Leigha," Coach Newell said. "She is a well rounded, good player, good student, and good kid. At Williams we look for more than just ball players. She will fit in very well."

A reception was held following the signing with cake and punch served.

In addition to her parents and brother, Landon, and sister, Lauren, Leigha had her grandparents, Leonard and Leda Richardson, of Blytheville, Will and Rita Woody of Steele, and Shelby Izmerian, along with other family members and friends.

Leigha is the third Manila classmate to sign to play college sports with Kimberly Wise signing to play basketball at Williams College and Carla Kemp signing to play basketball for Shawnee College.