Feature Photo by Anderson University

First impressions are important. Paige Vickery has made a grand entrance for the Anderson University Trojans softball team. The freshman is off to an incredible start to her college career, including having one day that she will never forget. Through her first 37 games at Anderson, the infielder has a crazy stat line of .340-8-37. Her RBI total is a team-high, and she’s added 22 runs, 16 extra-base hits, a .651 slugging percentage, and .426 OBP. Typically, college athletes go through natural growing pains when they reach the next level. Not so for Vickery, the Commerce all-time homerun leader.

“I don’t really look at it as anything being different between high school and collegiate ball,” says Vickery. “I’ve always worked hard on my hitting; I put extra work in every chance I get. When you love something, you could do it everyday, and that is how I am with hitting. One thing I told myself during my first collegiate softball game was that I’ve done this my whole life. I know how to play this game and I know how to hit — that’s why I am where I am now.”

While her mindset hasn’t changed the way she takes an AB on the field, she admits she had to make some changes as a student-athlete when stepping on the South Carolina campus.

“I have to admit going from high school to college as a student has been a lot of work and the last year of my high school I could have graduated early,” adds Vickery. “I did a lot of dual enrollment (college classes), so getting back into routine of going to class plus college is a lot harder. That has been a big challenge, but so far, so good. In fact, I did make Dean’s List last semester. As far as softball, going from high school to college, I think the biggest thing coming in as a freshman is trying to get to know my teammates, letting them know that I am a team player, getting them to trust in me, and me trusting them. Becoming a solid team that believes in each other and has each other‘s back.”

Her very first game on February 1 saw her go 2-for-2 with a double and 2 RBI. She added another double in the second game of the double header that day. Her first round-tripper came on February 9 against Southern Wesleyan. She had a couple more sprinkled in, but March 13 will remain a date that the Vickery family will always be able to recall fondly. Taking on Emory & Henry on the road, Anderson won 11-0 in game one and 12-3 in the second. Vickery was 2-for-4 with 2 HR, 6 RBI, and 2 runs in EACH GAME for a ‘grand’ total of 4-for-8, 4 HR, 12 RBI, and 4 runs. AND…TWO grand slams, one in each game.

“That was a great day — a dream come true, of course,” exclaims Vickery. “I feel like I was really seeing the ball good that day and my swing felt good. It was one of those days where I wish that we could’ve played two or three more games because I was on fire and the biggest thing was I was helping my team to success. During the game I was really just focused on trying to help my team get the wins. I really didn’t reflect on it until after when I met with my mom and dad to talk to them. I met them in the parking lot and we reminisced a little about it before I got on the bus to go back to school. I could tell in their faces how excited and proud they were, which is one of my biggest goals in life—making them proud.”

Indeed, her family has every right to be proud of her, with or without that performance. Vickery has had some incredible performances, but that one tops the charts.

“Four homeruns and two grand slams in one day is what every youngster dreams about in their backyard,” she says. “While at Commerce there were two separate occasions where I hit three homeruns. One game against Lake Oconee Academy my senior year I hit three homers with the third being a 7th-inning walkoff. I really thought it would be hard to beat. Moving to the collegiate level, a new chapter in my life of softball, four homeruns with two being grand slams… it’s pretty awesome and is at the top right now.”

Vickery not only is having all kinds of success early on at Anderson, but an added bonus is teaming up with former Commerce teammate Carson Hobbs (’22). Hobbs is having her own success, batting .400 with 3 HR and 15 RBI along with 26 runs scored, and going 3-2 with a save and a 2.86 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 41.2 innings of work.

“It’s awesome playing with Carson again,” exclaims Vickery. “It’s how it’s always been. We have played our whole life together, and to be able to continue our journey and friendship is the best feeling. She has always been one of my best friends and one of the best teammates anyone could have. We started playing together at the age of 7 and have played every year together except one. It’s hard to find a picture of softball without me and her together. We played in the Dean World Series at the age of 7 and have played either in a World Series or a national event every year growing up in travel ball. Our dads coached together, and they still sit together in the stands, and I’m sure they are coaching every play. Mine and Carson’s high school years were just as awesome making it to the Elite Eight my freshman year and my sophomore year we were playing for State Championship. Just recently (April 10), me and Carson both hit homeruns against Lincoln Memorial. She is my biggest fan, just as I am hers!”

Vickery is a BLITZ Hall of Fame player who crushed school records with career marks of 21 homeruns and 105 RBI. The utility player was a force, batting .360 in her illustrious career. That included 27 doubles, 7 triples, 95 runs, a .397 OBP, and .707 slugging percentage. The All-State selection as a senior put up the following line: .405 AVG (34/84), 9 HR, 28 RBI, 9 2B, 4 3B, 14 BB, .475 OBP, .929 SLG, and struck out only 4 times. She is a Sports Management major at Anderson.