Morgan City High's Sons signs with John Melvin

A couple of weeks after the fact, Madison Sons still feels good about her choice.

Sons, a senior at Morgan City High, signed a letter of intent Jan. 20 to attend and play softball for John Melvin University in Crowley.

Sons signed with a team that had yet to play the first game in the program’s history. John Melvin is a newly founded Christian university, and its softball team will make its debut Wednesday at Southern Mississippi.

Some people advised Sons against setting her sights on fledgling John Melvin.

“I was a little nervous about it at first,” she said. “But I toured it, and I liked it.”

Sons already had a connection at the school. She had played travel ball for Walk-Offs of Houma, and had played against opponents led by John Melvin head softball coach Amber Leblanc.

If the decision to attend John Melvin was an act of faith, maybe it comes with the territory. Sons plays third base, which, with the sport’s short baselines, is not a position for the risk-averse.

“I always played third base because I always had quickness on the balls that were hit hard,” Sons said.

As a sophomore, Sons injured her shoulder, so she moved to first for a time to reduce the demand on her throwing arm. She can also play catcher “if I have to,” she said.

She also has some pop in her bat. Sons hit five home runs for Morgan City High last year.

Sons believes her shoulder has recovered pretty well as she heads into her senior season for coach Gaylon Grogan’s Morgan City High team.

The Tigers open Feb. 10 in the Patterson Jamboree.

Morgan City went 4-19 last year and got bumped from the playoffs in the first round. Sons sees improvement ahead.

“We definitely have the team to do it,” Sons said. “I believe in all my teammates.”

Sons is the daughter of Terri and Benji Sons of Morgan City.