Leeds softball star signs with Wallace State

By Lora Scripps The Leeds News

LEEDS — Laci Driggers, the final remaining member of the 2007 Leeds High School softball state championship team, signed an athletic scholarship last week with the Lady Lions of Wallace State in Hanceville under the direction of Jayne Clem.

Driggers said she chose Wallace State because of its rich history when it comes to the sport. "They are known to be a great softball school and that is what I live for," she said. The Lady Lions were National Champions in 2008, National Runner-up in 2009 and ACCC State and Region Champions in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005 and 2003. The program's record in 2009 was 63-10.

Coach Clem has been at Wallace State for the past 11 years and said she has been watching Driggers the last five of those years.

"She is just an incredible athlete," she said. "She will be playing shortstop. We are losing our starting shortstop, so she will have a chance to fill that position."

She added strength and fielding are definitely Driggers' strengths. She will be the first LHS athlete to sign under the head coach. 

Wallace State's softball program is also known for its ability to send athletes to the next level. 

"The last two years we have signed all of our sophomores to four year scholarships. Some at Division I and others at Division II NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)."

Lady Green Wave head coach Natalie Hyde is elated for her standout five-sport athlete.

"I definitely believe this is a win-win situation," she said. "They are getting a great athlete and she is going to a great school that is known for softball. They are top in the nation every year."

"Laci is probably the best athlete I have ever seen," said Hyde adding that she can pick up and play any sport and her ability just comes naturally. Hyde noted she is an athlete who can play any position on the softball field from pitcher to catcher and infield to outfield.

"One thing about her that you don't get from a lot of kids nowadays is just pure toughness," she said. "She has the heart and the desire. There would be no way to get her out of a ballgame."

Hyde said she is also one of the best base runners she has ever seen. "She is reading change ups out of a pitcher's hand and stealing before I can even get turned to look at her," she continued. "She is just a pure athlete in every way."

Driggers is also a leader, according to her coach.

"She knows how it feels to be a winner and she is trying to instill that in some of the younger athletes and has the desire to win again," Hyde said. "I'm not a bit worried about Laci's future in softball. She is definitely next level material."

Former Green Wave head coach Jeff Thomas was also on-hand at the signing and said that his relationship with Laci runs deep.

"It's been like family," he said. "There have been times of pure love and joy and times of pain. She and I have grown up together and it's been a great learning experience for us both. I've learned a lot from her family. They have a level of love inside their family that has really taught me something that I want to have in mine. I know that's part of the reason Laci has been so successful. It's the hours and effort this family has put in with her. This is my favorite day to be a coach."

Thomas said he believes Laci is one of most talented athletes to come through Leeds High School.

"She owns all the career records for offensive statistics," he said. "She probably always will. I don't know if anyone will be able to touch what she has done."

Thomas added that Driggers is engaging, enthusiastic and energetic.

"I guess the thing I can say the most about her is the fact that she is relentless," he continued. "She doesn't quit and she is an unbelievable worker. She is an example of someone who has a complete zest for life. I have never seen someone in my whole life with the energy she has."

Thomas sees Driggers playing for a four-year school after her time at Wallace State.

"She is so talented," he said. "This is great move for her. She is going to the best junior college in the country basically."

"I'm proud of Laci," said Rodney Driggers, Laci's dad. "She has worked hard since she was 5-years-old to accomplish this goal. There have been a lot of firsts in her life. At 5-years-old she won championships. She played on the Cobra's travel ball team and they won four championships. She played here as a ninth grader and won a state championship and now she is the first one to sign from the new high school."

He added she is also the last one of the state championship girls to leave.

"Maybe we can work on winning another one here before she is gone," he said.

"She is going to a great school," he said. "She is leaving two great coaches in Jeff and Natalie and she is getting one of the best coaches in the state of Alabama in Coach Clem."

"I am very proud of Laci," said Melinda Drigger, Laci's mom. "She has worked hard to get where she this far. She loves softball and always has loved the sport."

She admits she hates that she is leaving being that she is last one at home, but said she knows she will do well at Wallace State.

"I hope she can accomplish what she needs to accomplish in order to make it to the next level," she said.

Driggers is focusing on finishing her senior year at LHS. She said she is excited to make the move Wallace State noting that they are known for sending students to the next level. Her goal is to attend the University of Alabama and becoming a neo-natal nurse.

"Leaving Leeds and the coaches is going to be a little difficult for me," Driggers said. She said Coach Hyde is a great coach and a person she would do anything for and that Coach Thomas is like a dad and role model who she knows she can always go to.

"I think Leeds is family," Driggers said.

 

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