Maybe the Herrin softball team's middle-infield tandem was not exactly destined for John A. Logan College, but the end result sure makes it seem like it.
Rebecca Moffett, the shortstop in that tandem, said she did not feel like she was ready to leave home after high school. She said second baseman Lexi Childers had said she was going to Lindenwood, but was having second thoughts.
Together, just like they do in the field for the Tigers, they worked well together, selling new JAL Head Coach Taylor Orsburn in person on why they should become Volunteers.
“Before we left her office that day, she offered us that opportunity,” Moffett told the Southwest Illinois News.
Moffett and Childers made it official in November by signing with JAL to join the program beginning next fall. That will continue the infield partnership that has taken the Tigers program to dozens of wins in recent years.
“We decided to go together," Childers told the News. "We each understand each other as players and know our strengths and weaknesses.”
They have been teammates for years, beginning with the 14U level, Childers said. They are teammates away from Herrin as well, as both play for the Southern Illinois Dirt Dawgs.
Childers and Moffett also share similar introductions to the sport. Both said their earliest memories of softball involved playing with their fathers. The family connections continued, with Childers saying her cousins were good at the sport and wanted her to play as well, and Moffett said her aunt, Angie, was a high school standout and pitched at JAL.
“I guess you can say it's in my blood,” Moffett said.
Last season, when the Tigers went 27-10 and reached the sectional semifinals, Moffett batted .451 with 51 hits, including 14 home runs, according to www.jalc.edu. Meanwhile, Childers hit .363 with 45 hits and 23 stolen bases.
Moffett's athletic ability and “extreme passion for the game” were cited, as were Childers' strong points, in a statement concerning the signings.
“She is able to do all three things when it comes to hitting away, bunting and slapping,” Orsburn said. “She has speed that not only helps her with base running, but also defensively at second base as well.”
Moffett praised Orsburn's passion for softball as being something for which a player would want to play.
“I am so very excited to be a part of the Volunteer family,” she said.
Both players said they will continue their softball careers after their time at JAL.
However, there is work to be done yet at Herrin. Both players have another season to go through next year in the Tigers program. Moffett said the Tigers will have seven starters back from last season's strong team, as well as a strong bench, “so we should be a force to be reckoned with."
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