(Geronimo) – Navarro High School senior Sydni Stevens signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball at the NCAA Division I level for Nicholls State University during a signing event Wednesday morning at the Navarro Events Center.
Stevens, a 5’10” power hitting shortstop, considered multiple schools before choosing Nicholls State, a member of the Southland Conference located in Thibodeaux, Louisiana.
“When I went to Nichols, the first time that I went, it just felt like home the second I got there,” Stevens said. “It’s the only school where I really stepped on campus, and I was like, this is my home. I felt like I was supposed to be there. The campus was beautiful, the atmosphere, the coaches – everyone there was so friendly, no nice, and made me feel super, super welcome.”
Stevens was voted the Most Valuable Player of District 27-4A last spring after hitting .541 with seven home runs, 13 doubles, three triples, 37 RBIs, and 33 runs scored for Navarro. She helped the Panthers win the district championship and advance to the second round of the UIL playoffs.
A Nicholls program coming off a 12-28 season in 2020 could offer the chance at early playing time for Stevens, but she’s willing to be patient and put in the necessary work to earn her spot on the field.
“I think that being a good teammate is going to play into a lot of it,” Stevens said. “I am a freshman coming in, and obviously there are people that are going to play ahead of me that have already been playing multiple years there. I think I just have to trust my talent, and that they wanted me for that, and just work hard, do everything I’m supposed to, and keep a good mindset.”
Thibodeaux is some 500 miles away from the Seguin area, but Stevens ultimately decided that making the trek to Louisiana’s Bayou Country was the best option for her to continue her athletic and academic pursuits.
“I was a little nervous about going far away, because it’s eight hours away, and I’m a home body,” Stevens said. “I like to be at home, but I also wanted the whole college experience, and to get away. Yes, it’s far, but I think I’m going to enjoy it.”
Stevens will play for a new head coach at Navarro High School this spring, as former assistant Elizabeth Guerra was promoted to lead the program this past off-season.
Darrell Harborth, who still coaches Navarro girls basketball, was Stevens’ softball coach in her first three varsity seasons and says one attribute stands out among the many that give her a chance to succeed against collegiate competition.
“She’s a super great kid, works very hard at softball trying to get better and better all the time, which shows in how she’s progressed over the three years right now, and I think she’ll do well at the next level because of her work ethic,” Harborth noted.
Stevens plans to major in business, pursue an accounting career, and eventually become a CPA.