Brandi Ann Hughes is a pitcher for the GHC softball team, but she also has a fascinating back story.

Hughes started playing softball at the age of five and fell in love with the excitement of the game.

She had a scholarship straight out of high school for Auburn University of Montgomery. However, not liking the program, she decided to come back home.

Once back home she started taking classes at GHC, and upon learning of its new softball program, she decided to try out for the team.

Now 20, Hughes is a nursing student. However, on top of taking 17 hours this semester, she is also juggling team and one-on-one practices, study hall and work.

Hughes, who has known since high school that she loved helping people, is a Certified Nursing Assistant at Floyd Medical center.

She said of her inspiration to be a nurse, “Seeing someone smile and knowing that I made them feel good is the best feeling. Also, I had some really awesome nursing teachers through high school that showed me all the positives about being a nurse.”

Hughes said that playing team sports creates bonds with the other players that are unbreakable and that the players will lay everything on the line for each and every person on the team.

Her advice to other girls playing softball is “Never give up,” she said. “I thought when I came home that I was done playing ball, but now I’m back at it and I’m loving every minute of it and wouldn’t trade anything for it,” Hughes said.