With her final high school season just months away, Great Bend’s Elizabeth Barber has got her plan for her future.
The senior has signed to play softball for Pratt Community College next season.
“I’m very excited,” Barber said. “I’m very fortunate I had such a great high school coach and great summer ball coaches. It’s always been a dream of mine to go to college and play. Now I get to live that dream.”
This dream started in middle school for Barber.
“I would say since my eighth-grade year in traveling ball,” Barber said. “We went and watched the U.S.A. girls play. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to go to college.”
Barber started playing when she was much younger.
“I’ve been playing since I was 10 years old through traveling leagues,” Barber said. “I played (18-and-under) last year. Had a pretty good high school career.”
While Barber has played for several teams in several positions, Barber found her place on the diamond at first base in her sophomore year for Great Bend.
“I played outfield in eighth grade and in traveling ball,” Barber said. “I played all over my freshman year. I played every position except second base. Sophomore year, I got to start on first base and really enjoyed it.”
In her last two years as a starter for the Lady Panthers, Barber had a batting average of .345.
“Elizabeth Barber is a great young lady,” GBHS head coach Carrie Minton said. “She has worked hard for many, many years. Liz has done a great job for us at first base, and she’s been a great hitter for us as well.
“Pratt is very fortunate. They are getting a great young lady and a great player.”
In those two years, she had 11 doubles and a triple.
In 119 at-bats, Barber had only seven strikeouts.
Barber said she was sold on Pratt pretty quickly.
“I love the coach,” Barber said of Pratt’s Mike Manderino. “He’s really great. He’s a lot about the grades, which is really important because he’s not just all about the sport. He’s just really positive and the girls are great.”