Burchfield signs with Pfeiffer Lady Falcons

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  • Lady Knights senior Gracye Burchfield (seated, center) signed with Pfeiffer University on Dec. 4. Seated with Burchfield are Larry Icenhower (left) and Gary Icenhower. Standing in back (from left) are Brent Icenhower, Barbara Icenhower, Hannah Lewis and Jordan Lewis. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com
    Lady Knights senior Gracye Burchfield (seated, center) signed with Pfeiffer University on Dec. 4. Seated with Burchfield are Larry Icenhower (left) and Gary Icenhower. Standing in back (from left) are Brent Icenhower, Barbara Icenhower, Hannah Lewis and Jordan Lewis. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com
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Robbinsville – Gracye Burchfield has made her collegiate softball plans.

The Lady Knights senior inked a letter of intent to join the Pfeiffer University Lady Falcons on Dec. 4. Burchfield is a three-year starter for Robbinsville.

“It feels pretty good. I’ve worked pretty hard since I was in 8U (softball),” she said. “This is making a dream a reality.”

Burchfield has also played volleyball and basketball while growing up, but she fell in love with life on the diamond at an early age.

“I just love it: the environment and the people,” she said. “Someone who has really pushed me is (Robbinsville softball coach) Billy Knight. He’s the best coach I’ve ever had, hands down. If it were not for him, I definitely would not be signing this piece of paper today.”

A perennial threat at the dish and in centerfield, Burchfield has been named All-Smoky Mountain Conference for the last two years. During her time as a starter for the Lady Knights, Robbinsville has won three straight Smoky Mountain Conference titles and finished as the 1A Western Regional runner-up last season. Burchfield batted .419 last season, with 10 home runs and 41 RBI. Her career average is .408, with 17 homers.

Interest was also expressed by Austin-Peay State University in Clarkesville, Tenn., and Barton College in Wilson, but Burchfield felt drawn to Pfeiffer.

“Pfeiffer felt more like home,” she said. “I visited, and it felt like my home. It’s small, but their softball team is phenomenal. They have a really good coach and a really good program. I’m excited about it.”

While at Pfeiffer, Burchfield plans to pursue a degree in nursing before coming back to Western Carolina University and majoring in athletic training.