TCC Softball’s Danielle Patterson inks with Valdosta State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 6, 2015) - Tallahassee Community College softball standout Danielle Patterson has signed a national letter of intent with Valdosta State University. 

Patterson, a native of Lawrenceville, Ga., graduated from TCC earlier this summer following a solid two-year career as the Eagles’ everyday second baseman. 

According to Patterson, the decision to play for her home state Blazers was a relatively easy one. 

“When I stepped onto the campus, I felt it would be a great place for me to be successful both academically and athletically,” Patterson said. “Valdosta State has a great sense of team showing through both its coaches and players. I look forward to joining their family.” 

At Tallahassee, Patterson appeared in 103 games over the course of the 2014 and 2015 seasons and posted a .345 batting average with 78 runs scored, 37 RBIs and 48 stolen bases. 

This past season, she was named First-team All-Panhandle Conference as well as Second-team FCSAA All-State after leading the Eagles with a .382 batting average and 42 runs scored. She also drove in 17 runs and stole 20 bases. Those numbers also helped her garner NJCAA Division I All-South Region honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). 

As a freshman, she earned second-team All-PC honors with a .310 batting average and 28 stolen bases. More importantly, she helped the Eagles claim the Panhandle Conference and FCSAA State Championships en route to a berth to the NJCAA Division I Softball Tournament in St. George, Utah. That experience was one of many that helped prepare Patterson for the next level. 

“Academically (at TCC), I was able to be successful through the help of my teammates, instructors and tutors – I felt more comfortable in a classroom setting. Athletically, (head) Coach Patti (Townsend) and (assistant) Coach Emily (Miller) prepared me to move forward by pushing me and showing me (as a player) I’ve yet to reach my full potential,” Patterson added. 

Valdosta State, located in Valdosta, Ga., is a Division II program, competing in the Gulf South Conference.