Senior Spotlights: Bailey White

The Sam Houston State softball team was one of many programs across the county that had 2020 season cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This could have meant the end of the careers for many student-athletes in their final season of eligibility, but the NCAA decided to allow schools to grant an extra season of competition for those affected.

The Bearkats have four players who have decided to forgo this extra season of eligibility in order to begin their lives after graduation. Over the next few weeks, Bailey White, Karina Sanchez, Tiffany Thompson and Megan McDonald will be recognized for their accomplishments while attending SHSU.

"First, I am saddened by the fact that these young women's senior season was cut so short because of the situation with COVID-19," head coach Garrett Valis said. "It has certainly been a humbling moment for us all, and I commend them for handling it so well. Two of these seniors are working on their master's degree and the other two will graduate in May with the next steps of their career already set up. Education is a focus of our program, so it brings me great joy to see them excelling at life at such a young age.

"I am so grateful for this group of young women and their families. Their dedication and work ethic have been tremendous. Each has had an impact in our program and has represented what a student-athlete in our program should be. I am so proud and thankful for the people they are, the passion they have for life and I'm excited for what they will accomplish moving forward. Bearkat softball is better for having them here, and I look forward to welcoming them all back as alumni."

Bailey White

Bailey White has been a staple in the Sam Houston State softball team's lineup the past two seasons and has excelled in the classroom. She is set to graduate in August with her master's degree in business administration.

White is retiring after having helped the 2019 squad win the Southland Conference regular-season and tournament championships and advance to the Austin Regional of the NCAA Tournament where the Bearkats upset ninth-ranked Texas in the opening game.

"The 2020 season was my last and even though it was cut short, I enjoyed every single moment of it, and I will definitely miss playing alongside the girls next year," White said. "My time here at Sam has been wonderful, and I could not ask for anything more. Not only was I shaped into a better athlete, but I learned something about myself along the way."

White redshirted her freshman year due to injury but bounced back in 2018 with a bang. She started 49 games for the Bearkats and hit .260 with five home runs and 27 RBI to earn third-team All-Southland Conference honors.

Last season, the Burleson native made 56 starts as a catcher and designated player and hit 10 doubles and four home runs. She was named to the All-Southland Conference Tournament team after driving in three runs in a 7-0 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in the semifinals to boost SHSU's run to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the program's history.

"Bailey has been through so much as a Bearkat, from injuries to position competition, she has weathered it all with a relentless mindset," Valis said. "She has been a joy to coach and is one of the most disciplined athletes I have been around. I cannot thank her enough for her toughness and trust. I wish her the very best moving forward. She is going to do special things in the business world."

White looks forward to rooting for her teammates next season. She said she had a wonderful time being around them and looked forward to each day they met up at the Bearkat Softball Complex to play the sport they all love.

"These past four years I have experienced a lot of growth and because of this program, I am a better person," White said. "There were plenty of ups and downs, but we always seemed to come out of it on top as a team, and that is what makes me proudest to be a Bearkat."

White would like to thank the coaches for everything they do especially the "things that go unnoticed," and that this team has a "special bond and culture" she will never forget. She said she has many great memories, but there is one thing she is going to miss more than any others.

"Keep putting in the work and I know y'all will achieve great things in the future," White said to her teammates. "There are so many fun times that come to mind — big wins, competition within the team and practice — but the thing I'm going to miss the most is just being able to spend time with y'all, whether it be on the bus or in the locker room. I'm also going to miss all the love and support we all have for each other."

Senior Spotlights: Bailey White

Players Mentioned

Megan McDonald

Karina Sanchez

Tiffany Thompson

Bailey White

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