PITSBURG – Franklin Monroe’s Joanie Hall signed with the Manchester University Lady Spartans Softball program.
“I’ve been waiting on this since I was young,” said Hall.
Hall, the daughter of Liz Sebring and Ben Hall plans studies in Business Management while taking her softball skills to the next level of play.
“Joanie is super deserving of all of this,” said FM coach, Jared Morris. “She has worked hard four years now and has talked about it since she was a freshman – this was her goal and she’s getting there.”
Hall attended a round-robin softball event at Manchester University and introduced herself to the head Lady Spartans softball coach, Sara Emerich.
“She was very kind, very nice and I thought, wow, I might want to be coached by her someday,” Hall said. “I emailed her a lot, reached out as much as I could.”
Hall attended a winter Manchester University softball hitting camp attended by Coach Emerich leading up to Hall’s signing.
“After that Coach Emerich said that she would love me to come to do an official visit,” Hall noted. “After my visit, I fell in love with the place – she really liked having me there and she offered me in April.”
Hall sees herself being a good hitter, a good leader, and someone who can bring spirit and energy to the Lady Spartans program.
“I struggled growing up and a lot of people told me that I wouldn’t make it far but it just takes one person to like you,” Hall shared. “You just have to keep working hard every day and good things will happen.”
“Joanie will probably be a utility player for Manchester,” said Coach Morris. “She has been a utility player for us. She’s played everywhere from infield, outfield, first base, second base, shortstop, third base pretty much everything but a pitcher. That’s great for Manchester to be able to use her like that.”
“She’s definitely going to bring some energy and a great work ethic,” Morris added. “I don’t think she is going to have a problem at all fitting in at the next level work ethic-wise.”
Hall had many to thank for helping her reach her goal of playing college ball.
“First I would like to thank God for everything he has done for me,” said Hall. “I would like to thank my family for always being by my side, taking me to games, and practices. I want to thank my coaches who have helped me build my game as time has gone on and thanks to my friends, and my teammates for always lifting me up and telling me I could do it.”
“Joanie will definitely represent Franklin Monroe well at the next level,” Coach Morris concluded.
