Shanda Melick is a three-sport star at East Knox High School, and while she is skillful in basketball and volleyball for the Lady Bulldogs, she excels in softball, and that ability was recognized by the Mount Vernon Nazarene athletic department, which has inked Melick to play college ball for the Lady Cougars.
On Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at East Knox, 50 family members, teachers, coaches, friends and members of the MVNU softball coaching staff were on hand for Melick’s formal signing of her scholarship paperwork to attend school and play softball at MVNU.
Melick is coming off a 2022 season in which was named first team all-KMAC. She hit .375 in 23 games, placed 10th in slugging at .639, was eighth in RBIs with two and was among the league leaders in on base percentage at .453, OBPS at 1.092, runs scored with 24 and she walked 10 times while striking out only five times.
“Shanda is very fast, quick and strong," EK softball coach Jake Ulrey said. "She has a powerful swing and is a big bat for the team.”
A multi-dimensional player, Melick is also a solid infielder. "Shanda has a reliable glove and plays defense with great arm strength,” Ulrey said. “She has mental toughness and intelligence. She is super smart and knowledgeable about the game.”
Ulrey also praises her experience and game savvy.
“You can tell she has played softball all her life,” Ulrey said. “She really understands game situations and what teams are trying to do. She could be a great coach one day if she wanted to be. Overall, Shanda is a great player who gives nothing but all-out effort. She always puts the team’s success ahead of personal gain. She is a great ball player, and I am very glad I get to coach her for one more year. I am looking forward to the success she is going to have in her senior season.”
