Melton inks with OBU
BENTON – Benton Lady Panthers senior Tuesday Melton has had a good couple of days at Lady Panther Field in Benton. A day after signing to play softball at Ouachita Baptist University on Wednesday, Melton showed out on Thursday, pitching a two-hit shutout in an 8-0 win over the North Little Rock Charging Lady Cats in which she struck out 13 batters.
That win kept the Lady Panthers perfect on the season at 8-0 and Melton’s game is just one of many great performances she has produced over her years at Benton, serving a pivotal role since her freshman season.
“Her freshman year she came in and had to be a big part of our pitching staff,” Benton Coach Heidi Cox said. “That year I only had Rylea Brimhall so those two shared the combination. Tuesday came in and learned how to be a starter right off the bat, and learned how to close behind Rylea. We ended up using her as a utility player at shortstop and she and Riley would switch back and forth.”
Despite her softball successes, it wasn’t necessarily on the field which drew Melton to OBU.
“I really like the school,” Melton said. “I hadn’t really looked much into the softball program, but I actually started looking into the bio-medical majors program, and when I found out they had that I really fell in love with it.
“I got to know the coaches and I actually practiced with them in the past. They’re really great so I just know going there I’ll continue to get better, both academically and athletically.”
Melton said the plan is to be an oncologist and so far, so good with her 4.27 GPA, 32 ACT score and third in her graduating class.
“I had a couple of other offers, but none of the academic programs called to me like OBU did,” Melton said.
Rookie of the Year her freshman year, Melton also earned All-state honors her freshman and sophomore seasons before COVID19 shot down a hot start for Melton and the Lady Panthers.
Melton is also the “glue” according to Coach Jerry Chumley for the Lady Panther basketball team, providing a solid post presence.
But it’s on the softball field in which Melton will be earning her keep at the next level.
“She’s been a huge part of our success, so it’s been exciting to watch her grow,” Cox said. “A little upset with her not getting her junior year because she was on a great start, but she’s done a fantastic job coming from basketball and being a dual-sport athlete.
“She’s very versatile. She plays third, we play her at second, we move her around, she executes and does everything we ask her to do very well. What a talented young lady. Very smart.”
Melton describes her introduction to varsity softball a memorable moment in connecting with her teammates.
“The atmosphere at state was really amazing my freshman year,” she said. “Just the camaraderie on the team. I loved the seniors that year and our rising juniors were also great. I just remember staying in the hotels with them was always so fun and getting to go out the next day and play really pulled everything together.”
“She’s a great young lady so it’s going to be tough losing her,” Cox said, “but excited seeing what her senior year has in store for her. Big leader, big presence on the mound.”