Paige Vaughan sits with her mother Lindsey Merritt, father James Vaughan and step mother Julie Vaughan while signing to play college softball at South Georgia State. Standing is SGSC softball coach Jeff Savage, Colquitt County High coach Alyssa Simmons, Next Level softball coach Walter Haskard and Packers head coach Chance Pitts.

MOULTRIE – Paige Vaughan, infielder for Colquitt County High softball, became the third player under Chance Pitts’ reign as Packer head coach to earn a college scholarship. On Tuesday she signed the letter-of-intent to join the South Georgia State College two-year program in Douglas.

And she hopes this is only the beginning for her in the collegiate game.

“Paige is very special to me,” said Pitts. “I’ve been around her the past five years … got to see her grow up on the ball field. She was beating down the door during the summer to come in and get extra help. That’s the type of athlete you have.

“She also holds down a good GPA and also holds down a job. She’s doing all that while playing softball. That speaks volumes for her.”

Vaughan is the second member of the 2018 senior class to join a college program, Gracie Frazier also signing this month with Eastern Kentucky. Last year, Pitts’ first as head coach, pitcher Dakota Baker signed with Brewton-Parker.

“We’re getting girls out there, which is fantastic,” said Pitts. “(Vaughan) deserves this more than anybody.”

“He impacted my life, not just on the softball field,” said Vaughan of Pitts. “My life in general.”

In the fall season, Vaughan started at third base for Colquitt County and turned in 69 assists while being a part of five double plays. At the plate, she produced 20 hits to bat just under a .300 average, scored 12 runs and drove home 11.

“Definitely take care of the student part first,” Vaughan said about her goals for college softball starting with coach Jeff Savage in Douglas. “Make sure my grades are good; that’s the No. 1 thing. I hope to be successful on the field for two years and move on to a four-year school, possibly go D-1. If God thinks I should take it to the next level, I will.”

Vaughan plans to enter the education field, become a teacher and even a softball coach for her soon-to-be alma mater. She’ll also start putting in extra work as she is on her own now to get ready for South Georgia. She said Savage is a good coach whom she thinks will help her improve.