PACE, FLA- As formally announced on January 11th, Pace High School (24-1, 1st in 6A District One) star second baseman Bethany Dean has officially committed to the University of Mobile (36-11, 23-5 SSAC). Dean initially announced her decision during her signing day, and followed that up with a post on Instagram. As a current senior, Dean is set to graduate from Pace High School on May 27th, 2023.
“I’ve wanted to play college ball for as long as I’ve been playing softball. I visited UM and met the coach and the team, and the culture they have there is amazing”, Dean told FL Teams’ Brad Smith. “I fell in love with it. They have a great championship program as well. I really felt that God opened the doors for me to attend Mobile, and my biggest motivation for this decision was to glorify Him.”
As a four-year starter on Pace’s softball team, Dean has shown considerable improvement each season. After playing in just ten games during her freshman season, Dean started in all 27 of Pace’s games during the 2020-2021 season, where she recorded a batting average of .284, 19 hits, and six RBI in 76 plate appearances, helping Pace finish with a 20-7 record and 6-0 mark in the 5A District Two Conference. To follow up her solid sophomore season, Dean was even better as a Junior, recording a batting average of .259, 21 hits, and ten RBI in 96 plate appearances in 30 starts, helping Pace make it to the Final Four 2022 FHSAA Softball State Championship, before losing to Melbourne 1-0 in eight innings.
With all due respect to her aforementioned sophomore and junior seasons, Dean took the leap to stardom in her Senior year. In 24 starts, Dean recorded a batting average of .348, 23 hits, nine RBI, and five doubles in just 75 plate appearances, all career-highs. In addition, Dean’s career year has helped propel Pace’s Varsity Softball team to their best season yet, posting a 24-1 overall record and a 6-0 record in the 6A District One. As a result, Pace is ranked as the No. 5 Softball team in the state of Florida, and the No. 10 team in the nation, according to MaxPreps.
“My career at PHS has been unreal and I’ve been blessed to experience it with my teammates. I’ve loved each and every moment. It’s been amazing to have such great support from family and friends along the way.”
After falling just short of winning the 2022 FHSAA Softball State Championship, Dean and the Patriots have reignited their chase to claim their first State Championship in program history. Following a 7-3 win versus No. 2 seed Navarre in the 6A District One Championship, Pace will enter the 2023 Regional Tournament amid a 21-game win streak and as the No. 1 seed in the competition.
On Thursday, May 11th, Dean and the Patriots will play the No. 8 seed Niceville Eagles (12-12, 3rd in 6A District Two) in the Regional Quarterfinals, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM Central Time at Pace High School. If Pace defeats Niceville, then the Patriots will advance to the Regional Semi-Finals, and will play the winner of the No. 4 seed Oviedo Lions (14-10, 4th in 6A District Four) and No. 5 seed Winter Springs Bears (13-12, 5th in 6A District Four) on May 16th.
As a part of the University of Mobile’s Softball program, Dean will be the latest to contribute to the Rams’ dominant team. Throughout the 2023 season, Mobile won their fourth straight Southern States Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship, doing so with a conference-best 23-5 record against conference opponents. The arrival of Dean should help offset the departures of second baseman Caitlin McRee, shortstop Tempest Hebert, catcher Madi Robertson, outfielder Kristen Black, and outfielder Katie Head, all of whom are graduating Seniors.
“My advice for my teammates would be to keep working hard and continue to make the game fun,” Dean says to her Pace High School Softball teammates. “Keep bringing the energy and encouraging each other.”
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