By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Her tiara was the perfect fit back in October as the 2020 Millington Central High School Homecoming Queen.
Ann Howard’s more than 4.0 grade point average illustrates the classroom sitting suits her. Playing the game of softball since the tender age of 3 proves that’s the game she loves.
Last Wednesday afternoon in the Millington Performing Arts Center, Howard signed her national letter of intent to attend and play softball at the University of Health Science and Pharmacy St. Louis.
“I’ve really worked hard over these past four years, I would even say since middle school to reach where I am at right now,” Howard said. “Managed to get a really good GPA and good scores throughout high school while accomplishing many softball goals in high school. I’m really proud of myself. Now I have perfect fit.”
Joining Ann on the stage for her big day were a group of people who assisted her during the journey to becoming an Eutectics. Siblings Mallory, Will and Elizabeth were all smiles. Coaches Mandi Baldouf and Whitney Horton were by her side during the official signing. Nearby were Marychy Steiger and proud papa Billy.
“She’s worked really hard for it,” he noted. “I’m excited for her. She’s had some ups and downs, a couple of burnouts. She fought through it. The recruiting process was pretty tough because there was a couple of moments we went from four or five schools to nothing. It was dead. No contacts from anybody and then her scout coach Mandi reached out.”
Coach Mandi going the extra mile got the ball into play for Ann to reach her dream school.
“I was nervous,” Ann acknowledged of her recruiting process. “I was really stressed out around that time. It took a lot of time out of my day to do whatever I could to pursue doing what I love and a career in the medical field. It all worked out in the end.”
The University of Health Science and Pharmacy St. Louis Eutectics play in the NAIA’s American Midwest Conference. The Eutectics are led by Head Coach Michelle Patrico who took the reins of the program in August 2019.
Patrico played outfield at Lindenwood University from 1997-2001 before heading into the college ranks. Patrico’s accolades include Regional Player of the Year and Heart of American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, as well as captain of the Lady Lions softball team her senior year.
Now her knowledge of the game will be shared with Howard starting the fall of 2021.
“Ann’s best attribute is her knowledge of the game,” Billy said. “There is nowhere she can’t play. Anywhere out there on the field she knows where the ball needs to go on the defensive side of it. She can play any position but pitcher. Her game IQ is up there. You normally don’t see that out of kids at that age.”
Lady Trojan Skipper Horton saw Ann’s precocious softball mind and skills from day one.
“When you’ve got a freshman coming in, showcasing her skills that she has already gotten before she got to me,” Horton said, “its hard not to put a kid out there like that when she’s a freshman. She deserves. She came in here day one and worked hard.
“The spot wasn’t given to her,” she added. “It was earned. It was well-deserved. She’s worked hard every year she’s been a Lady Trojan. I expect nothing less when she moves onto St. Louis. She’ll work hard in the classroom and for her coach on the field there.”
Ann is a utility player who can serve in the infield or outfield. Her skills were sharpen over the years through travel softball with the Illusions, Blue Angels and now Mississippi Bombers.
“Ann is one of those kids a coach looks for to be a part of her team each and every year,” Horton said. “She’s a hard worker on and off the field. You never have to worry about her grades. She works hard at practice. She’s a team leader, a lot of the young ones look up to her. Very proud of her and her accomplishments. She deserves this and I know all the coaches and her teammates are very proud of her.”
Ann wants a proud moment with her Lady Trojan Softball family this May. The global pandemic robbed Howard and her 2020 teammates of a potentially great season.
“It was different,” she said. “It was one of those things you worked really hard for, felt you had a chance with these girls. It just ended just like that. That mindset for me was I have to work harder to show I could have done good last year. Now I can do even better this year.”
Horton said with Ann’s leadership the Lady Trojans can have a very special 2021.
“To be victorious, her team goal this year was to reach the district championship,” she said. “My job and my two other fellow coaches’ job to make sure we got the girls prepared each and every day so when that time comes they get out on the field and they’re ready to execute play by play.”
Billy noted the competition will be tough but Millington will be on a mission this season with seven seniors.
“It would have been nice to have the third pitcher again this year but they still have a good shot at winning district,” he noted. “It’s not out of reach. Covington is always right there in the mix. You’ve got to watch for Bolivar. But we can compete with them this year. All the seniors in this class this year have played long enough with each other. They know each other and what the others can do.”
Ann said Homecoming Queen, high GPA and college signing are all great but the perfect ending to her senior year would be a softball title.
“I really hope our team can make it to the district championship game,” she said. “We haven’t done it since I’ve been her. I think our team is really strong and the chemistry is the best since I’ve been here.
“Our team is put together very well,” Ann concluded. “I believe we have a really good chance if we continue to put in the hard work. I would really love to see us girls get a banner of some sort.”
