It’s good to see great things happen to deserving people.

That is truly the case for Paige Vickery, who was named as the Freshman of the Year in the NCAA Div. II South Atlantic Conference after a tremendous year at Anderson University.

In her initial year at Anderson, a private Baptist university in Anderson, S.C., Paige has put up strong numbers across the board entering this weekend’s play with a .328 batting average, a .410 on-base percentage11 home runs and 48 RBIs in 47 games.

She had an incredible run where she hit three grand slams… in one week!

In that stretch, Paige smacked the first grand slam of her young career in an 8-2 win versus Barton College on March 8, 2024 and then, five days later, smashed one in each game of a double header against Emory & Henry that keyed 11-0 and 12-3 victories.

This kid just keeps on. 2-grand slams, 1-2 run homer, 1-solo shot and a sacrifice fly….total of 12 RBI’s for the day. Keep working PV! 💪🏻 @paige_vickery25 pic.twitter.com/BnTPF3rHLz

— Mojo Vickery (@MikeVickery25) March 14, 2024

“Being named SAC Freshman of the Year is an honor and a privilege,” Paige told Line Drive Softball this week. “This is something that I have worked hard for my entire softball career and I hope to continue with my work ethic and receive more prestigious awards.”

In her travel ball career, the infielder from Commerce, Ga. was a star for the Mojo organization, and I selected her as a top 100 player in the Class of 2023.

She had a lot of college options, both near and far-away, but on February 2, 2022, an accident to her brother Hunter greatly impacted her decision.

While stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Hunter was on his motorcycle when was hit head on by a truck just a quarter mile from home.

He was airlifted to Vidant Medical Center and her father, Mike, recalls: “We were told he had broken every bone in his body except for his ribs.  No brain injury, fortunately, and he only suffered a minor neck fracture, but they were going to have to amputate his right arm.”

Hunter was put on life-support but miraculously would eventually be released after seven months in the hospital.

Initially, Paige was looking to go “far away” from home to play softball but remembers:

“My decision became much clearer over those weeks we spent away from home and with everything going on involving Hunter as to where I needed to be.”

“I always knew I wanted to go to a Baptist College,” she continued,” and I realized I wanted to stay close to home to be near my family so there was no doubt I wanted to go to Anderson University.”

And in her first year playing for the Trojans, Paige made a tremendous debut.

“What helped you prepare to have such a great Freshman year” she was asked, “after having such an accomplished club ball career as well?”

“The transition has been very smooth,” she answered. “Playing with the Mojo organization and playing in high level national tournaments have prepared me for the most pressured situations I could be put in. Yes, it was what I expected and prepared for.”

Line Drive Softball posed the quest: “What aspect of your game have you been most proud this season?”

“I am really proud of every aspect of the game,” Paige responded earlier this week. “I’m proud of the success I have had at the plate. I feel like my production is due to the hard work I have put in my whole life. But I am also proud of my defense.”

With her Anderson team sporting a One of my most proud moments would be helping my team to success in any situation.”

That success has included helping the Trojans make the SAC Championship which will be decided today (Sat., April 4, 2024) in a best-of-three-game series after Anderson lost Game 1 on Friday.

Win or lose, Paige can always look back to this award-winning Freshman season after facing such a scary family ordeal just two years ago.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball.has