The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thees Announces First Softball Signee Brianna Payne
11/9/2011 | Softball
Nov. 9, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss softball head coach Windy Thees announced the signing of Brianna Payne of Bay City, Texas to a national letter of intent on Wednesday. Payne will join the Rebels for the 2012-13 academic year.
"Bri plays a great corner outfield and brings a lot of power to the plate," said Thees, who is in her first year at the head of the Rebel program. "Every ball she hits, she hits hard and I look forward to seeing a lot of doubles during her Rebel career."
A three-time first team all-district selection at Bay City High School, Payne batted over .500 last season and led her team in home runs to help the Black Cats to the area championship and second place in the district. She also earned District 23-4A Newcomer of the Year honors in 2009 and won her squad's Big Bat Award after leading the team in batting average. She was named one of the Addias Future Top 100 players in 2009.
Payne also competed for the Houston Power 18U ASA Gold squad for the last three years and led the team in home runs last season. The Power advanced to the ASA Nationals each of the last two seasons and earned a ninth-place finish in 2009. Payne belted four home runs and three doubles in three games during the 2011 Louisville Slugger tournament and was named to the 2012 Louisville Slugger All-Star squad. Payne also played one season for the Houston Power 16U team and advanced to the ASA Nationals.
The daughter of Ron and Denesse Payne, Brianna also competed in volleyball in high school and is a three-time academic all-district selection in softball. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Health Occupation Students of America, Girls Interact, National Junior Honor Society and National High School Honor Scholars Association. Payne was also a recipient of the 2010 National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine and the 2010 People to People International Award, and is involved in several charities including Challenger Baseball Buddies, Easter Baskets for the Less Fortunate, FAITH (Food and Integrity to Humanity) and the Ronald McDonald Charities.
