Mandeville High senior softball pitcher Gabby McDaniel has inked her athletic scholarship to attend Marion Military Institute located in Marion, Ala.

“Deciding to go to Marion Military Institute gives me a lot of opportunities educationally and they don’t only want me as a pitcher, but want me more as a hitter and a first baseman,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel said she made her official visit in early January.

Mandeville Lady Skippers senior softball pitcher Gabby McDaniel seated signs her athletic scholarship to attend Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala. Seated next to Gabby are her parents Deborah and James McDaniel. Pictured standing from left: MMI assistant coach Brittany McGee, MMI head coach Joe Guthrie, Mandeville coach Scott Dennis, MHS pitching coach Russell Pritchard and Mandeville principal Bruce Bundy. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

“It appears the program at Marion is built so that no one will fail and has lots of structure. When you have structure it’s hard to veer off path. I’m sure at Marion they will keep you in line with curfews. It looks like they give you a lot of direction. The entire school works together and there are so many opportunities for everyone that you can find whatever field you like. Everybody just works together to help each other,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel said since she will be attending a military school, she would consider joining the military as an option. She joined the Mandeville ROTC program to help her prepare for what lies ahead.

“Going there will give me an open mind towards the military because I have never experienced that before. It will be a huge change for me. I may consider it,” McDaniel added.

McDaniel she had considered attending Pearl River Community College in Pearl River, Miss., and had actually made a verbal commitment earlier along with considering Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi.

“I had to turn that down for this opportunity to attend Marion Military Institute. I just couldn’t pass it up. This is too good for me.”

Marion Military Institute second-year head coach Joe Guthrie had a first hand opportunity to see McDaniel perform at the 2010 College Softball Camp held at Coquille Sports Complex the first week of January. Marion Military Institute in its first year of play last season went 20-30 with 15 freshmen with an enrollment of about 450 students.

Guthrie described McDaniel as a great player.

“We were real fortunate to see Gabby play, while I was working that camp in Covington. I got to see her hit and pitch. She is pretty much dynamite in both areas. We are tickled to have her,” Guthrie said.

“Bringing her on an official visit and getting to know her family has been even more fun,” the coach added.

Guthrie said his program graduates 14 players this year so you always need pitchers more than anything else, but we also have a need in fielders as well.

Guthrie described McDaniel as being tenacious on the hill.

“As a hitter she has lots of power. As a first baseman she is strong and athletic.

McDaniel said she is looking forward to taking the required leadership courses and going through the military classes learning how to march.

McDaniel said she thinks her time playing softball at Mandeville High has prepared her extremely well.

“We have a great program and a tremendous group of girls. We also have wonderful coaches, which have really prepared me,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel, who registered a 9-2 record last season, will be counted on as the ace of the Lady Skippers’ staff due to the graduation of Karin Hicks, who went 11-6 last year. McDaniel tossed 71 and two-third innings last season, giving up just 58 hits. She posted an effective 1.66 earned run average, allowing just 17 earned runs. She recorded 71 strikeouts, while walking 30 batters.

McDaniel only batted 11 times with two hits and two runs batted in.

McDaniel described herself as a confident pitcher.

“I never boast about myself, but I think I am a pretty good pitcher. I love pitching and I think I’m good at it. You have to be in control on the mound as the team’s leader. I think my speed combined with my movement really helps me and my trick pitches are different speeds,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel credited her pitching coach Russell Pritchard with being a big help to her.

“He sees a lot of things that I don’t see. I see some things he doesn’t see so we work really well together. We are a really good team,” the senior said.

Coach Pritchard, in his fourth season with Mandeville High, said he has high expectations for McDaniel and the Lady Skippers this season.

“I think Gabby will do great for us in the circle. Having been with her during her high school career that excellent communication is important. Knowing her strengths and weaknesses is big and I’m into the pitching charts,” Pritchard said.

McDaniel said she is fortunate to have such a talented catcher in Savannah Perry.

“Savannah is a great catcher and Brooklyn Sansone is right behind her.”

MHS head coach Scott Dennis said he and the school are proud of what McDaniel has accomplished to this point in her career.

“Gabby is a tremendous softball player, but more than that she is a fantastic person and student-athlete. She will succeed in whatever she does and we are glad to see that she is using softball as an avenue to further her education and her athletic career,” Dennis said.

Dennis described McDaniel as a hard worker, who has good velocity to throw the ball past people.

“Gabby throws a variety of pitches and will carry a lot of responsibility as our top pitcher. She will be trusted to carry the load for us. Last year, she split innings with Karin Hicks, but this year we are looking for her to pull us through and give us as many innings as she can. We’ll put the ball in her hands,” he said.

McDaniel, who carries a 3.2 grade point average, said she loves math and English, and plans on majoring in education and coaching.

“I want to be an algebra high school teacher and become a softball coach down the road,” McDaniel said.

Gabby is the daughter of James and Deborah McDaniel of Madisonville.