Alyssa Mosley has improved every year since stepping on the diamond as a youngster. UT Southern is betting that the star Lady Pioneer isn’t done growing as a player just yet. Mosley signed with the Firehawks Thursday, becoming the 12th WCHS softball player to get a chance to play in college during the Gooby Martin era.
Mosley signed in front of friends, family and coaches, shying away from the spotlight the moment she had the chance. The consummate teammate instead wanted to share the stage, a trait that Martin and UT Southern coach Tyler Robb believe makes her so special on the softball field.
“She’s a great student-athlete. Her personality and her traits, alongside the athletics, is Grade A. She smiles, she’s always encouraging and she’s never been a Debbie Downer,” said Martin. “She’s positive to herself and her teammates. She’s very likable and that’s something that shouldn’t go unnoticed.”
Robb, when asked about what made Mosley a coveted prospect in his first signing class, added, “She just brings leadership, on and off the field. Her ability to be versatile on the field – she’s a good middle infielder and a good outfielder – allows her to move around and take charge. I’m really excited to bring her in.”
It’s no shock Mosley has thrived on the softball field – she’s been in dugouts since she was in the womb. Her mother, Nicole, noted at her signing that she played a few co-ed games while pregnant with Alyssa, then had her young baby at games the moment she could be a part of the family fun.
Alyssa didn’t take long to fall in love with the diamond, deciding very early softball was going to be her sport of choice.
“I started playing travel ball and competitively around 8U, but I’ve always played, whether it was T-ball or dad just throwing the ball to me. As I played with more competitive teams and seeing how much I progressed as a person and a player really made me want to play college. I wanted to see if I could do it for myself,” said Mosley.
She showed up at WCHS knowing she’d have to battle for playing time against a loaded roster that has been churning out college players for years, but it didn’t take long for her to crack the roster. She was honorable mention all-district as a sophomore, then exploded last spring, becoming one of the team’s most clutch players during an all-district campaign.
Mosley made huge defensive plays and had key hits when Warren County won the District 6-4A championship last fall and qualified for substate for just the second time in school history. Martin is happy to know he’ll have an anchor coming back this fall, but he’s also excited about another star pupil getting the chance to play in college.
“It’s special for these girls to get the opportunity to continue playing at the next level. It’s so hard to do – it takes commitment. I’m happy for our girls anytime our program has a girl go to the next level and play for a few more years,” said Martin. “It’s exciting and keeps me around a little bit longer because I want these girls to have the same opportunities I did.”
UT Southern jumped on the opportunity to add Mosley to their building program, one Robb took over in August. The Firehawks play NAIA and are coming off a 27-25 season in the Mid South Conference, giving Robb a good foundation to grow the program.
“We’re creating a culture that hard work brings big-time goals. That’s what we’re trying to build and we’re in the right process. We’re working hard and getting it through to everybody from our freshmen to our seniors,” said Robb.
It won’t be hard to get Mosley to buy in to the program. She already is hopeful she can come in and set the tone at UT Southern, a school she knew felt like home from the first visit.
“I loved how small the school was and how the program seemed very productive. And now there’s new coaching - I really loved the new coach. Overall, it’s just very nice,” said Mosley, who hopes to major in education and plans to be an elementary school teacher and coach in the future. “I feel like I can be a leader and somebody my teammates can look to and ask for advice.”
Plans of being a good teammate come natural to Mosley. It’s her favorite part of the game, even as a star who has had highlight-reel plays and won championships all across the Southeast during her years of travel ball.
“The girls – all my high school teammates – are my favorite part (of the game),” said Mosley when asked about her favorite memories in Warren County. “I just like playing with them. They’re all amazing.”
Mosley is pretty amazing too. UT Southern will find out just how much soon enough.
