Krystal Groom has played softball in and around Adams County for most of her life. Now, it’s starting to pay off.

Groom and a handful of other Mississippi softball players have been selected to play in a tournament sanctioned by World Class Sports – in Hawaii.

The 18-year-old Cathedral High graduate, who’s signed a scholarship to play with Copiah-Lincoln Community College, will hop a plane this morning and head for the Aloha State to compete in a three-day tournament.

&uot;Playing softball has brought me a long way in life, and helped me meet a lot of people,&uot; said Groom, who wants to attend Louisiana Tech or Southern Miss when she finishes her tour of duty with Co-Lin. &uot;When I started out,&160;I was very shy and didn’t think I had what it took to be the ball player I’ve become.&uot;

Groom’s accolades and Co-Lin coach David Smith got her on the team.

At Cathedral, she was selected to six all-district teams, five all-metro teams, one all-state team and was named the Cathedral MVP five times. Outside the Green Wave camp, Groom has competed with the Mini-Bombers, Baby Bombers, Natchez Bombers, Lady Bombers, Pearl Pride and the Miss-Lou Stingers.

But this is her highest honor.

&uot;When coach Smith offered me the chance, I took it,&uot; she said. &uot;This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.&uot;

Groom’s goal is to play in the Women’s Professional Softball League, but admits education comes first.

&uot;That’s my goal,&uot;&160;she said. ‘I’m going to try for that. But education is first. I’ve always been the type to worry about education first.&uot;