Barber wins Riana Flynn Scholarship

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 16, 2010

NATCHEZ — All Lindsey Barber heard was the word “ACCS.” Then she burst into tears.

At the Natchez-Adams Girls Softball League awards ceremony Tuesday night at the Natchez High softball field, the winner of the Riana Flynn Scholarship was being announced. Of the four finalists, Barber was the only senior from ACCS.

“I couldn’t even hear them after that. It was so overwhelming,” Barber said.

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“I felt like I couldn’t breath. I was crying. Riana was one of my brother’s best friends when he was in high school. Getting this scholarship means a lot. I’ve loved softball since I was little, and I said I always wanted to win the award.”

Barber is a standout athlete that was also selected for the MAIS Class AA All-District in both fastpitch and tennis. The scholarship awards her $500 for college.

“She’s been playing in our league ever since T-ball,” league president Belinda Brashier said.

“Our umpiring crew has a big say in who wins, and they all said she shows good attitude and sportsmanship at all times when she’s playing.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, Tuesday also saw two playoff games. In coach pitch, Miss-Lou Cardiology beat United Mississippi Bank 18-13 to claim second place. In the ages 9 and 10 league, Natchez Market defeated B&K Bank 11-0 to claim first place.

“We had a very good year, a very fast year,” Brashier said in her address to the crowd during the awards ceremony.

“With your help, we can continue to do so for the years to come. We finished our second year in fastpitch, and we can see the improvements we’ve made there. I think we improved more this year than we did last year.”