BOONE, N.C. – As the 2018 softball campaign comes to an end, so will three seniors' careers on Saturday, May 5, as the Mountaineers play their final game of the season.
Heather Josey, wearing No. 16, will be one of the student-athletes to walk across the field to be recognized on senior day.
Since the age of eight, Josey has been in love with the game of softball. After playing for five different travel ball teams, she found Team NC. "App watched me play in a tournament in Georgia. Shortly after, I went to a camp and fell in love with the campus and environment. And here I am now!" Josey said.
"I love the mountains! I love how the campus is surrounded by the little town. I just feel at home here in Boone," Josey shared. "I'm going to miss the game of softball, but what I'm going to miss the most is my softball family. The girls on this team are special to me. They're my family away from home."
Josey has been a crucial part in the Mountaineers' success over the last four seasons. As a utility player, Josey has played in 164 games, making 138 starts at either first base, right field or as a designated player. She is one of only five players in App State softball history to drive in six RBIs in a single game and one of 20 all-time to record four hits in a single game. Heather is also one of 18 to hit two home runs in a single game. Josey had her best offensive season as a sophomore batting .319 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs. She also produced a fielding percentage of .988, which was second-best on the team. For her career, she has batted .278 with 119 hits. She currently sits sixth on the all-time home runs list with 20 long balls, seventh all-time with 29 doubles and ninth all-time with 84 RBIs.
During her junior season, Josey experienced a setback that prevented her from finishing out the rest of the 2017 season. During a preseason tournament, a dive in the outfield during the warm up injured her knee. She was out for the season and the following fall after surgery. "I trained my butt off over Christmas break so I could come back strong, pass the conditioning test and play my senior year. And I have done just that!"
Head coach
Shelly Hoerner said, "Heather is the one who always goes about doing whatever job is asked without a single complaint. Her role was constantly changing over the years and in her career, but she always had a positive outlook on it for the team. Heather's family bond is something I admire. She will be a success both at home and in her career because of the love she carries in her heart."
"Softball has taught me many life lessons, but the one that stands out the most is that you can't take anything for granted. You just never know when it could all come to an end," Josey said.
Josey will graduate in December 2018 with a bachelor's degree in biology. She plans to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to get experience working in the field. Afterward, she wants to apply for graduate school to eventually be a physician's assistant.
