DUBLIN — Laikyn Pait, a three-sports star for West Bladen High, has committed to play her first two years of collegiate softball for the Lady Rams of Southeastern Community College in Whiteville.

Pait, who graduates on Saturday, was recently named the school’s 2016-17 Female Athlete of the Year after stellar seasons in volleyball, basketball and softball.

West Bladen has been a recent softball pipeline to SCC — most recently with the likes of Abbey Walters, Kaitlyn Sykes, Daniel Dove, Erica Tanner and Robin Coleman — and it was one of those SCC alums who steered Pait to the Lady Rams.

“Kaitlyn told the SCC coach about me and was told they were interested,” said Pait, who also had some interest from Methodist. “There was a lost email and some time went by, but it all finally worked out.

“It’s been good having former players (from West Bladen) who played at SCC to talk to about the atmosphere and team there,” Pait added. “I’ve been told they take the softball pretty seriously.”

Pait was the anchor of a Lady Knights team that went 20-4 overall and won the Four County Conference with a 13-1 record her senior season. The first baseman batted .412 with 28 hits, seven doubles, three home runs, 19 RBI and 28 runs scored out of the clean-up slot — and was named to the All-Conference’s first team.

At the next level, Pait said there’s at least one area she will need to work on most.

“I think I’ll be able to hit, but I’ll be working hard on my defense,” she said. “But I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Pait, who has already earned an associate’s degree in science through classes while in high school, plans to work toward a degree in clinical research and, after her two years at SCC, will transfer to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

Bladen Journal file photo West Bladen graduate Laikyn Pait plans to work on her defense while playing at Southeastern Community College.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_WBsoft-LaikynPait.jpgBladen Journal file photo West Bladen graduate Laikyn Pait plans to work on her defense while playing at Southeastern Community College.

W. Curt Vincent

Bladen Journal