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CHOCOWINITY, N.C. — Dana Ransom has come a long way from the time she tried to slide into a base and fractured her hip.

In fact, she’s become quite the talented softball player, so much so that she’ll carry her talents to Johnson C. Smith University in Raleigh to play there after she graduates from Southside. She made the announcement last Friday, putting the senior on the path to college along with fellow senior Lily McLean, who will play at Mid-Atlantic Christian University.

“I started off later than most people,” Ransom said. “I started off at 11 years old and most people start at like four years old. So I had to put in a lot of extra work to get where I am today.

“And I’m really thankful for all the coaches who have helped me through my journey as a softball player.”

Ransom liked the environment at the college, along with where the softball program is currently. She wants to major in biology and become a pharmaceutical salesperson.

“So when I went on my visit there, I really enjoyed the fact that it’s like, so it’s not super, super small,” Ransom said. “But everybody there is like family, like all the staff, all the players, they all treat each other like family. Even the coach, he still to this day checks up on me and stuff.

“So I like the family feel of the campus and the softball staff.”

Ransom fractured her hip during her freshman season. She said Southside head coach Kam Rouse and other coaches played a big role in helping her through the healing process.

“Not only did Coach Kam help me once I fractured my hip, but I also had other coaches here at Southside who helped me to strengthen myself back up and get ready to be back on the field,” Ransom said. “And I went through a lot of physical therapy and stuff. So with that, it really helped me to grow to who I am today.”

Ransom said she played her final two games as a freshman after her recovery. Since then, she’s been a big part of the program, moving this season from first to third base on defense. She’s in a dead heat with McLean for top batting average and other offensive categories.

“It’s always in the back of your head,” Ransom said. “It did take me a while. And I was a little nervous, but Coach Kam was able to help me and tell me, like, ‘Hey, you’re going to be okay’.”

Rouse said Ransom’s improvements are noticeable, especially this season.

“This year right now, she’s killing it,” Rouse said. “She’s batting over 500, she’s hitting the ball well and the defense. She moved from first to third and didn’t miss a beat. Everything’s still going good.

“But now this year, she’s going all out. She’s sliding and all this and that. She went from batting two-something last year to three, like you said, to five-something right now. So her batting and everything, when we work at it, everything has increased.”

With the Seahawks entering Coastal Plains Conference play this week with two games against Northside, Ransom said it’s great to get this part of her senior season finalized.

“Yeah, it’s definitely felt like a weight lifted off my shoulder,” Ransom said. “I don’t have to worry about college and where am I gonna go along with all the stuff that comes with senior year.

“This season is starting to get pretty busy, so being able to commit and sign has definitely taken that college weight off of my shoulders.”