Joie Raybourn was one of the most feared hitters in the state during the 2017 softball season, and her stellar senior season at Durango High School helped her land a partial scholarship to continue her softball career next fall at Otero Junior College in La Junta.
Raybourn said part of what pushed her to Otero was the embrace she received from the players and coaches when she visited the campus.
“The coach (Dwight Sanders) was super nice and very welcoming,” Raybourn said. “He held a practice just for me to meet all the girls and I really appreciated it. None of the other schools I visited did that. I felt like I belonged there.”
Raybourn posted a batting average of .655, had eight doubles, seven triples, three home runs and drove in 27 runs as a senior. She also had 10 stolen bases on 10 attempts.
In the field, Raybourn spent time at short stop, third base and catcher and posted a fielding percentage of 93.2.
Raybourn looked at a few other programs and took a visit to Herkimer College in New York, but she decided the East Coast was too far from home and picked the Rattlers.
Raybourn said she’s not sure what position she’ll play at Otero, which went 24-28 in 2017, but she believes her versatility and ability to play multiple positions will help her get on the field as a freshman.
She isn’t set on a major yet, but is leaning toward the sciences and physical therapy.
kschneider@durangoherald.com
