APA’s Robinson signs with UNC

Six months ago, Brittany Robinson won a NCISAA state championship with the Arendell Parrott Academy softball team. Three months ago, she won a national championship with her traveling AAU team.

Wednesday, the senior shortstop/catcher made her most impressive move when she signed her national letter of intent to play softball at the University of North Carolina.

“We’re so proud of her,” APA coach Dawn Manning said. “She works hard and she’s earned this. People look up to her and how hard she plays. She’s a great role model.”

The highly-recruited Robinson chose the Tar Heels over Alabama and Georgetown. She said she has attended UNC softball camps since she was “really small.”

“I just always liked it up there,” Robinson said. “The most important thing was that they had one of the best journalism programs in the country. That’s what I want to go to school for.”

Robinson will join Anna Roberts, who pitched for the Patriots last year and is a utility player for the Heels. She said that was another one of the factors for her decision.

“Who wouldn’t like to go play with someone you’ve played with before?” Robinson asked. “It wasn’t the main reason I made my decision, but it was certainly a factor.”

Manning said Robinson has been a valuable part of a Patriots program that won its first state title last year after four consecutive losses in the championship game.

“It’s so indescribable what she means to this program,” Manning said. “She’s not necessarily a verbal leader. She gets on the girls when she needs to, but the other girls just watch her and how she handles herself.”

Manning and Robinson are both happy her collegiate decision is out of the way.

“I really wanted to make this decision before my final season,” Robinson said. “I wanted to make the decision and then have a year off to be able to relax.”

Manning said, “We’re very glad to have her for one more year. We’ll be crying the blues next year.”

Robinson said she’s happy she’ll be focus on one thing: bringing another NCISAA title to Kinston.

“We’re going to work hard and try to accomplish what we did last year,” Robinson said.

Robinson was the only athlete in The Free Press area to sign on the first day of the NCAA fall signing period. North Lenoir baseball players Sthil Sowers (East Carolina), Brandon Sutton (Appalachian State) and Andrew Manning (Appalachian State) have verbally committed, but have not formally signed.

Bryan C. Hanks can be reached at (252) 527-3191, Ext. 250, or at bhanks@freedomenc.com. Check out Bryan’s blog at http://bhanks.encblogs.com.