Darby used her speed to become one of Florence's top hitters. She already had an academic scholarship to Tuskegee, but said it was important for her to play softball.

"I've been around the game all my life," Darby said. "My grandmother played a long time and then umpired. My father played college baseball and in the minor leagues. I really wanted to play softball in college."

Jeff McIntyre - Florence Times Daily