Pleasant Valley, AL – She found a fit and opportunity at Pleasant Valley, turned it into a chance to play college softball at Marion Military Institute.
By Joe Medley
A shorter drive prompted Haylie Lee to change high schools, and drive has won her the chance to play college softball.
The Pleasant Valley senior pitcher/infielder celebrated her signing with Marion Military Institute on Wednesday, during a ceremony in Pleasant Valley High’s library.
Lee chose Marion partly because of her relationship with its head coach, Jeff Benson.
“I knew Jeff through my travel team,” she said. “I played for Prospects, and I got some offers from Northwest Florida and some other schools, but I felt really connected with Jeff, and it was a really easy decision, knowing I was wanted somewhere.
“I’d rather be playing somewhere where I’m wanted than somewhere I’d just be a good fit.”
The same logic played into her decision to transfer from Piedmont to Pleasant Valley as a freshman.
“We moved houses, and it was about a 25-minute drive every day,” she said. “Pleasant Valley was, like, five minutes away so it was a lot easier here, and I knew some people here, and I was having a harder time at Piedmont, just getting playing time.
“I knew I’d be a good fit here.”
A three-year starter, Lee went 11-6 with a 4.56 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 102 2/3 innings in 2024. At the plate, she batted .275 with five doubles, a triple and 19 RBIs.
She was a first-team Class 1A-3A All-Calhoun County pick as a utility player. She’s expected to pitch in college.
Pleasant Valley coach David Bryant said Lee fit right into the Raiders’ program.
“She’s a very unselfish player, works very hard, just your typical Pleasant Valley girl,” he said. “She’s good in the classroom and works really hard on the field.
“She just does all of the extra things that make her a special player, from taking lessons, to playing travel ball and just working at her game.”
