Newbille finds her fit at Bryan
Versatility.
Coachability.
Those two words were used multiple times to describe LFO senior player Britni Newbille on Thursday as family, friends, current and former teammates and no less than nine of her previous softball coaches watched her sign a letter of intent to continue her playing career at NAIAmember Bryan College.
“It feels really good and I’m excited,” Newbille said about becoming a college softball player. “I’ve been playing since I was three and this definitely has always been the goal. It’s very fulfilling and I’m just excited for the next chapter.”
“Britni is one of the most coachable kids that I have ever had,” said Lauren Dyer, who coached Newbille her first three seasons with the Lady Warriors. “She’s that kid that whatever you asked her to do, she was going to do it. She was really successful at LFO and she’s going to be successful wherever she goes, not only because she’s coachable, but because she’s a really great person.”
Newbille called the Dayton, Tenn. school “a very good fit” for her.
“When I went up there and I went to practice with them, I just loved the coaches and the girls,” she explained. “It’s a very small campus and the school itself is great. They’ve got a small student-to-teacher ratio, which is really big for me. Overall, it’s just a really good choice.”
Newbille, who can play numerous positions in the field and even pitch, had her best hitting season this past fall.
Playing in all 21 games for the Lady Warriors, she was second on her team in batting average (.286) and RBIS (8), while she tied for the team lead with nine runs
scored. She was also selected first team All-region by the 6-AAA coaches.
“I feel like I fit in very well (already),” she stated. “I know some of the girls that are already up there, like my (future) roommate. We’ve been friends for quite some time now. It’s obviously going to be hard because it’s college,
but all that will make it an easier transition.”
Newbille said she would play wherever she was needed.
“Hopefully, I’m going to bring a lot of energy and happiness,” she continued. “Maybe I can be that one girl that people can come and talk to and just be there for all the girls, along with my
athletic ability.”
New LFO head coach Morgan Crawford, who worked with Newbille last season as an assistant coach, said the Lady Lions were “getting one of the best”.
“Anything we asked Britni to do, whether that was pitch, play the outfield or play the infield, she did it
and she did it to the best of her ability,” Crawford said. “Absolutely anything I asked, she would do. She’s a great student and a great athlete. We’re losing a good one, but Bryan is getting one of the best. I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Newbille said she plans to study exercise science.