Shiner

St. Paul’s Green to play softball at ETBU next year

  • Senior Sydney Green signed with East Texas Baptist University for softball on Tuesday May 10. Seated from left, Tracy Green, Sydney Green and Darren Green. Standing from left, Donald Green. Bonnie Green, Garrett Green, Liz Mican and AJ Mican. Photo by Mark Lube.
    Senior Sydney Green signed with East Texas Baptist University for softball on Tuesday May 10. Seated from left, Tracy Green, Sydney Green and Darren Green. Standing from left, Donald Green. Bonnie Green, Garrett Green, Liz Mican and AJ Mican. Photo by Mark Lube.

    BY MARK LUBE/SPORTS EDITOR

    SHINERSPORTS@SBCGLOBAL.NET

    The Lady Cardinals softball team will have a graduating player continue playing after graduation.
    St. Paul senior Sydney Green will take her talents to the college level next school year at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall.
    “The opportunity came quickly. It was the end of our travel softball fall season and East Texas Baptist University coaches came out to a few games . They liked what they saw and brought me in for a visit,” Green said. “The campus is very beautiful and it’s very grand.”
    Green has been playing softball since a very young age.
    “I have been playing since I was about 4,” she said. “I started with T-Ball and Little League, and then slowly progressed up to travel ball and here now (close to the end of high school career).”
    Green did dip her toes in volleyball as recently as her sophomore year but has stuck to softball only  in her junior and senior years.
    “Softball was my main sport and the thing I love the most about it is its competitiveness,” she said. “Each team and each players brings something new to the table. Softball allows you to use all of your gifts and abilities.
    The Lady Cardinals won the  2019 TAPPS 2A state title in her freshman year, and made the regional round in last year after not playing playoffs in 2020 due to the season being cancelled halfway through because of the COVID pandemic.
    Green was very positive about the Lady Tigers program.
    “They have a very strong program. The coaches are great, seem very accommodating and are going to work you and bring out the best in you, athletically and as a person,” Green said. “The team is strong all-around; they have good pitching, good hitting and good defense. I feel like I’m joining a good program.”
    Green decided as a freshman that she wanted to pursue playing in college and went to work all through high school to attain the goal.
    Green’s possible spots on the field is first baseman and in the outfield.
    She will not likely pitch in college.
    “I will miss pitching. With the injuries from my junior year (2021), I know it’s hard coming back and I still have dealt with a little bit of that pain,” Green said.  “I am not sure I could have done another four years of pitching.”
    Green said she is ready to perform well in whatever role the coaches give her.
    She plans to study forensic science as her academic track.
    “I plan to major in bio-chemistry with a minor in forensic science and then attend another accredited university where I can obtain my Master’s in Forensics and hopefully work in a forensics science lab somewhere in Texas.”
    Green will miss small-town Shiner but is happy to be relocating to another small community.
    “I’ll miss the small-town atmosphere where everybody knows everybody. Thankfully, I am moving to another small town where everyone is close and the community on campus is close,” she said.