Baccus signs to play softball at Chowan

Perquimans County High School senior Morgan Baccus recently signed her letter of intent to attend Chowan University where she plans to play softball for the Hawks.

Baccus started playing softball when she was just 4 years old, participating in T-ball. Her favorite part about playing softball, she says, is the adrenaline rush she gets from the competition. She also enjoys the relationships and friendships she’s made playing the sport.

Baccus said Perquimans head softball coach Ricky Stallings is someone whom she will “forever cherish,” saying he has taught her a lot, and not just about softball, but about life as well.

“He has helped me from the beginning of travel softball and as my high school coach,” Baccus said. “I would not be where I am today without him.”

One important piece of advice Baccus recalls Stallings giving her is that “there are two things you can control: your attitude and effort.”

The advice apparently stuck: “I am sure to always put in 100% effort in everything I do whether that is on or off the field,” she says.

Baccus said she’s learned that the best way to control your attitude is to show good sportsmanship. That means staying up in the dugout, shaking off bad plays, and being respectful to umpires, coaches and teammates.

Baccus said playing travel ball for Stallings and other coaches over the past seven years also helped strengthen her mental and physical approach to the game.

Handling stress and pressure while on the diamond isn’t always easy. Baccus said she uses breathing exercises to try and slow things down.

“I like to take a deep breath. This helps me to not only slow my heart rate down, but also slows the game down,” she said.

As for her decision to choose Chowan University for college ball, Baccus said the chance to stay close to home was one of the key drivers.

“When I was younger my aunt played softball at Chowan and knowing she loved it encouraged me to start this journey,” Baccus said.

She also loves the small-town environment and Chowan’s beautiful campus in Murfreesboro, in nearby Hertford County.

Baccus plans to major in exercise science at Chowan and then transfer into a physical therapy program.

Baccus said the memory she’ll treasure the most from her time playing in Perquimans was the Pirates’ playoff run during her sophomore season in 2022.

“As a team we made it to the fourth round of the playoffs by beating Pamlico and that was a big win,” she said. “Throughout that season I made many friendships that I will cherish forever.”

Baccus and the Lady Pirates softball team are looking to equal or surpass that achievement this season.