Corynne Miller was an integral part of the North Callaway softball program and has the chance to do that with another team.

The senior made it clear during a signing ceremony on Jan. 4 at North Callaway High School that she will be playing college softball at NAIA William Woods University in Fulton. The two-time all-conference player in the Eastern Missouri Conference was a consistent presence at the top of North Callaway’s lineup.

Miller said she became comfortable with the players and coaching staff after attending one of William Woods’ softball camps last year and said the program was interested in Miller’s experience playing in the middle infield and the outfield. Going to a school that’s close to home sounds good to Miller so she and her family aren’t too far apart. She plans to major in graphic design while she is fulfilling a longtime dream.

“When I was much younger, I had been at one of my competitive softball team’s practices,” Miller said. “The coach asked us to raise our hands if we wanted to play college softball when we were older. I remember raising my hand up high because I knew I had passion for the game and wanted to continue playing when I was older.”

“Corynne was part of the heart and soul of our program the last four years,” head coach Mariah McKee said. “Being a varsity starter for four years in a row is a testament to how vital she was.”

In four years, Miller finished with a .366 batting average, a .466 on-base percentage, 108 hits, 96 runs, 54 walks and 24 stolen bases — only caught three times — in 96 games. This season, Miller was an all-EMO player for the second straight year and an all-district player after finishing with a .392 average, and career-highs of a 500 on-base, a .515 slugging percentage, 38 hits, six doubles, 21 walks, three triples and 10 stolen bases without being caught in 97 at-bats.

Because of her speed, Miller was a slap hitter that fell toward first base with every swing, and oftentimes, was standing on first without a throw to set up North Callaway’s offense, which averaged a six-year high of 7.4 runs this season. Miller said she was encouraged to be that type of hitter from an early age, which fits her style of play, and has become better at reading defenses throughout the years.

“I have been slap hitting for a long time now and have been working to improve my ability to read the defense when I'm up to bat,” Miller said. “I feel as though I have gotten better at reading situations quicker when I'm out there. The game has only become more fast-paced as I've grown. In college I hope to continue to grow with confidence in myself both on and off the field.”

McKee said her speed put opponents in tough situations and the outfield defense in center field will make those shoes tough to fill. However, she said those aren’t the most impressive qualities of Miller.

“What impresses me the most about Corynne is how well she adapts,” McKee said. “Any situation we were put in, she was always adapting to what the team needed in that moment. She is such a selfless teammate and does what she has to for the team's success. There were times in games where she would go from infield to outfield and never batted an eye. She is the most unselfish player I have ever coached.”

During Miller’s four years, North Callaway has improved every year, going from seven wins her freshman year to a six-year high 16 wins her senior season.

McKee said Miller was a “dream to coach” and was someone that led by example. While the Ladybirds program will miss her.

“Her teammates love her and have so much respect for her,” McKee said. “There is still so much potential that she is going to unlock and I can't wait to see it.”

“My first year of T-ball, I had apparently told my coach that I wanted to get every ball,” Miller said. “We laughed about it then, but years later, that really hasn't changed all that much. I still enjoy the thrill of the action when the ball comes my way.”