March 13, 2008 --- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Pair Of Boiling Springs Softball Players Sign With SMC 

Boiling Springs High School softball players Dana Smith (2nd from left, seated) and Bailey Edwards (3rd from left, seated)
recently signed to play softball at SMC.

SPARTANBURG, SC –   A pair of Boiling Springs High School softball players have recently signed with the Spartanburg Methodist College softball program.

BSHS seniors Bailey Edwards and Dana Smith have both signed National Letters of Intent to play for SMC in the 2008/2009 season. 

SMC head softball coach Rick Pauly says the pair are part of a long string of softball players advancing from BSHS to play at the collegiate level. 

“Bailey’s versatility will be a real plus for us next year,” says Pauly. 

Although normally an outfielder, Edwards has been spending a good bit of time this season at the catching position. 

“ Her strong throwing arm from many years as an outfielder makes her very tough to steal on. Additionally, Bailey has very good ‘gap’ power hitting. We expect her to put up some nice power numbers offensively,” adds Pauly. 

Edwards has been on Boiling Springs’ varsity team since her eighth grade season.  

She is a two-time All Region Player and has won her high schools Best Defensive Player Award four times. She also received the Queen of Diamonds showcase tournament MVP award in fall 2007. 

Edwards is  a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Renaissance Club. She  is the daughter of Robby and Mary Bailey of Inman, SC. 

Pauly says Smith will also be an asset next year to the Lady Pioneers. 

 “Dana brings a lot of softball talent to the field. She can be a dominating pitcher, power hitter, and great defensive first baseman,” he says. 

Smith was a 2007 All-Region Selection, and was also the BSHS softball team’s 2007 Best Offensive Player. She was also recently named to the Gene Lee County All Tournament Team. 

“I look for Dana to compete for a lot of time pitching next year and to be a real offensive threat at the plate. We will graduate two very good power hitters and are looking for Dana to fill one of those spots”,  adds Pauly.

In addition to her softball skills, Smith is very strong academically. She is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.  

 “Dana should really help us achieve our academic goal of being one of the top 15 Academic Junior College Softball Teams”, according to Pauly. 

Smith is the daughter of Danny and Jane Smith of Boiling Springs, SC. 

Spartanburg Methodist College has 14 intercollegiate teams that compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association, which includes colleges in the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia.   

The College is in its 97th year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.  

For more information, contact head coach Rick Pauly at (864) 587-4399.