Gosnell's Hinklin signs letter of intent with CRC

Gosnell Lady Pirate Brista Hinklin signed a Letter of Intent to attend Crowley's Ridge College next fall on a softball scholarship.

Hinklin, the Lady Pirates starting catcher, said this is a dream come true.

"I've been playing for 14 years," said Hinklin. "I've always thought about playing college ball and then the Olympics. Softball's out of the Olympics right now. Maybe they'll get it back in time and that'll be my next dream."

Hinklin said Crowley's Ridge College seemed like the perfect fit.

"I knew a couple of people that have gone there and they said it was a good experience," she said. "When I went there for a visit, everything seemed really good. I love the coach."

CRC head coach Cindy Henry said she's looking for Hinklin to contribute right away.

"I've got a lot of room there," Henry said of the catcher's position. "Brista's a strong athlete. I think she's going to fill a huge role on the team. She's a great defensive player. She's got a great arm and a great bat. So, I see her coming in and taking a huge role."

Lady Pirate head coach Jenna Weeks said Hinklin has been a strong leader over her career at Gosnell.

"She's been a great leader for our team," said Weeks. "She's always been real helpful to our young players coming up. Always been very dependable. She's always there, she works hard. We depend on her a lot."

Hinklin still has goals for her final season with the Lady Pirates like trying to qualify for the regional tournament and possibly state.

After, she's looking forward to moving on.

"I looking forward to starting a new career," she said. "I've gone all the way from T-ball to high school ball and pretty soon, it'll be college. I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates."

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com