November 14, 2021

By Jon Feyen
ScoutU

Camp invites are very common during the recruiting process. They give college coaches the opportunity to evaluate prospects without leaving their campus. For recruits, camps are a chance to display their skills, explore the school and potentially receive a scholarship offer. Pitcher Amber Hughes said the softball camp at North Greenville University was the difference in her committing to the NCAA Division II program in South Carolina.

“I first visited NGU to attend a prospect camp, and I arrived early enough to drive around the campus to look around,” Hughes said. “The first thing I noticed was the motto on their sign, ‘Christ Makes The Difference.’ I immediately felt comfortable. The campus is absolutely beautiful! I was so impressed how nice all of the athletic facilities were. Participating in the camp, I really loved how Coach (Sarah) Hall and Coach (Chandler) Madden were so encouraging and motivating. During our campus tour, we got to know Coach Hall better on a personal level, and after learning how things would be like, I knew this was somewhere I’d love to be. The atmosphere felt so homey, which was what I was looking for. After that visit, Coach Hall had me practice with the team, and I really liked all the other girls on the team as well.”

North Greenville, which posted a 26-15 record last year, is less than a 2-hour drive from Hughes’ hometown of Prosperity, SC.

“I am very excited and grateful to be given the opportunity to be a part of the North Greenville Crusaders softball program,” Hughes said. “I’ve been working almost my whole life to play at the college level one day, and I can say my dreams are coming true. Coach Hall and Coach Madden made it an easy decision because they both are exactly the type of people I like to be around.”

Hughes received offers at the Division I, Division II and NAIA levels. That’s no surprise considering she was named All-State and Region Player of the Year during 2021 at Mid-Carolina High School.

“I feel truly blessed, and I am so thankful for each and every coach that contacted me,” Hughes said. “They are the reason my dreams are coming true.”

Hughes flashes a fastball in the mid-60s, and she also possesses a powerful bat with 13 home runs last season. ScoutU saw all that talent – and through its connections with college coaches – got Hughes the opportunities she deserves.

“(ScoutU’s) Scott Woodcock started right away getting my profile seen,” Hughes said. “I give a huge thank you to Scott for believing in me and giving confidence that I was good enough to play at the next level. He really took the time to get to know me and get me seen by multiple coaches. Even bigger, I want to thank my parents and my little sister for always supporting and cheering for me. They have sacrificed so much time for me to have the opportunities and equipment I always needed.”