Navy blue and gold runs in the family for Boyd Buchanan senior Presley Williamson who has the ability to take control of a softball game in many ways.
If a coach could build a perfect player, they might share a lot in common with Williamson who is a UTC softball signee. Working behind the plate she hardly ever allows a passed ball and has a strong arm to gun down fast runners. Throw a pitch anywhere near the zone, she can send the offering flying a long, long way.
While Williamson's time with the Lady Buccaneers has been limited she has made the most of her brief appearances. In just 11 career games for Boyd Buchanan she is batting .645 (20-for-31) with 12 extra base hits, seven home runs and 20 runs scored.
"I moved here from Phoenix my sophomore year. Both of my parents went to UTC. It's where they met and they actually got married on campus too," Williamson said. "I am really excited to play for the Lady Mocs. The atmosphere is great here and I love the coaches too."
Superstar level talent does not come with the flip of a switch.
Williamson works out before school three times a week, has catching workouts twice a week and hits frequently in between. Her summers have been spent playing travel ball, which includes playing for a top-tier Platinum Fury team littered with Division I talent.
On that team she has been able to catch star pitchers such as Baylor's Syd Berzon (LSU commitment), Gordon Lee's Emma Minghini (Georgia Tech signee), Heritage's Rachel Gibson (Clemson signee) among others.
"I work really hard and I am really thankful to see it's paying off," Williamson said. "I have been catching since I was eight and I love the game. As a catcher you get to see everything that's going on and you have to be a leader on the field. It's fun to be in control of what's going on and being able to work with the pitcher."
In a 6-3 start for Boyd Buchanan - which hosts Division II-A rival Silverdale Baptist Thursday at 5:30 - Williamson has been a crucial leader for a very talented program. Albeit a team whose core is built around a strong freshman class of nine filled with talented pitchers and strong hitters who have made an instant varsity impact.
This season Williamson has slugged six home runs in just 21 at-bats while driving in 18 runs and striking out just once compared to drawing 11 walks. The right-handed slugger can drive the ball to all fields.
"My favorite thing about this season has been winning ball games and being out here with my teammates because we didn't even get a season last year," Williamson said. "The goal is to go as far as we can. I want to help build my teammates up as much as possible so they are ready for next year and have a bright future too."
With a vision of building a dynasty for years to come with an excellent freshman class, the Lady Bucs only wish they could have Williamson a few more years too.
"Presley is sharp as a tack and very experienced," Boyd Buchanan coach Jeff Stone said. "I have had some girls in the past that could absolutely smack the ball, but she has such a smooth swing and power like I've never seen. You don't want to pitch against her. She helps us in so many ways and I am glad these younger girls have someone to look up to like her."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.