GOOD HOPE — Erika Woodall’s softball journey is just getting started.

The Good Hope senior inked a scholarship with Snead State earlier this month and will officially continue her superb athletic career in the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) — which also houses fellow Division I member Wallace State — beginning this fall.

To say she’s excited would be an understatement.

“Playing high school and travel ball, it was always a dream of mine to eventually play college softball,” Woodall said. “I’d watch it on TV with my dad and would be like, ‘I want to do this. I want to go to the next level.’ We worked on it a lot, and it’s like a dream come true now. I can’t wait to go play for Snead State.”

Woodall, who played third base for the Lady Raiders, was one of the team’s top hitters — both for average and power.

She’s hoping to do similar damage during her tenure with the Lady Parsons.

“I know I’ve got to work hard on my fundamentals and hit every single day,” Woodall said. “Coach Tracy (Grindrod) is a great man, though; and I’m really excited to play for him. The campus definitely feels like home … it’s not too big. When I went to camp there, I liked the way things worked out.”

According to former assistant softball coach Amanda Swann, Snead State is getting a super athlete.

And Good Hope is losing the exact same thing.

“She’s been a huge asset,” Swann said. “We will miss her. She’s an all-around great person. She works extremely hard, she’s a great hitter, and she plays great defense.”

Added Woodall: “I’ll miss the underclassmen … it’s going to be a different environment in college.”