Perkins to continue softball career at NACC
Story by Jason Bowen
Just over 24 hours after closing her high school basketball career in the best way possible — winning a state championship — Scottsboro senior shortstop Morgan Perkins went to work trying to make her softball career end in the same fashion.
“We had practice the next day,” she said. “I had a few overthrows, but it was good to get out here.”
Perkins has been a member of the Scottsboro varsity softball team since she was in junior high, but Scottsboro head coach Jeff Campbell said Perkins took her commitment to the sport up a notch a couple of years ago.
“She came to me and asked me if she could play in college, and I told her she could play anywhere she wanted,” he said. “Morgan has been a really good player for us for a long time, but Morgan is just now reaching her softball potential.”
It’s that potential that has Perkins moving on to the next level after her Scottsboro career ends, as she recently signed to play collegiately at nearby Northeast Alabama Community College during a signing ceremony at Scottsboro High School
The recruiting process was just starting when it finished for Perkins, who wanted to play at NACC from the start.
“(NACC) was my first offer, and I took it pretty much the same day,” she said. “Once I went on the visit, that’s where I wanted to go. The coaching staff, you’re not going to find any better than that. You have coaches that have coached at the D-I level, and the facility is unbelievable. I don’t know what else you could ask for.”
Perkins is one of two Scottsboro players that are future Mustangs, joining third baseman Austin McNeece in NACC’s 2025 signing class.
Perkins has been a line-up staple for Scottsboro since her eighth-grade season. She played second base early on in her high school career before moving over to shortstop and is now the Wildcats’ lead-off batter.
Trough 18 games this season, Perkins is batting .492 (30-for-61) and has an on-base percentage of .557 while totaling three doubles, one triple, seven walks, six RBIs, 29 runs scored and 13 stolen bases for the No. 6-ranked Wildcats. A season ago she batted .351 (39-of-111) with 27 RBIs, 42 runs scored and 21 stolen bases and she has 108 career hits, 51 career RBIs, 120 career runs and 64 career stolen bases.
Perkins said playing at the next level will provide the type of challenge she will enjoy.
“I think it will be fun because I know it will be really competitive, and I like competitiveness,” she said. “Like the pitching, you don’t see as much 60-plus (MPH) pitching in high school, and that’s pretty much all you’re going to see in college.”
Campbell expects Perkins to adapt well to the college level.
“She’s going to work hard and she’s just that type of kid that’s going to do what she has to do to be successful. She’s going to successful,” he said. “She’s a leader and the type of kid the others want to be around. I’ve enjoyed coaching her.”
Before Perkins makes the leap to the college ranks, she’s hoping to close out her Scottsboro career in style.
“I think we made a pretty good run two years ago at state (finished fourth) and came up a little short (at regionals) last year,” said Perkins, a three-year starter who was a Class 5A All-State Basketball Tournament selection after helping Scottsboro wins its first basketball state title. “I hope we can go back to state (in softball). I’m striving for that (state-championship winning) feeling again for sure.”
