DHC's Andrews signs with State

Taking advantage of the early signing period, D.H. Conley’s Breanna Andrews locked up her collegiate softball plans on Friday.

The Vikings slugger inked with N.C. State, the team Andrews has rooted for since its birth.

A Wolfpack fan all her life, Andrews said when N.C. State started its softball program in 2004, the school moved to the top of her list.

“I’ve always liked N.C. State,” Andrews said. “It wasn’t until recently that they even had a softball team, and really turned me. I love softball and I love playing it.”

Andrews is joining a young but successful program in Raleigh. Since starting up, the Wolfpack have won Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and tournament championships and have qualified for the NCAA tournament twice.

“I’m really excited to play for coach (Lisa) Navas,” Andrews said. “I don’t even know the words to explain it. I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

Andrews still has one season left to play at Conley, and Viking coach Wayne Deans is happy she’ll be in the lineup one more time.

“She made a big impact even as a freshman,” Deans said. “She came in for a game where we had to have her at shortstop. She made a play deep in the hole that most people wouldn’t have made. She threw a bullet to first base and threw the kid out. I knew at that moment she was going to be special.”

With her choice for a college team already made, Andrews said she is looking forward to a fun senior year.

“I’m going to try and not put as much pressure on myself as I maybe have in the past,” Andrews said. “I’m going to just try to have fun, but of course I want to play well.”

N.C. State fans as well, Andrews’ parents — Ken and Deborah — are happy to see their daughter headed the Wolfpack’s way.

“She had gone on her official visit, and on her way home she told her mom and me and she felt good about it that she felt that was the place she needed to be,” said Ken Andrews, who was proudly wearing an N.C. State hat. “It was great to know that all her hard work was coming through and that they appreciated her.”