It’s always exciting for a new team to have its first player verbal to a college and that’s what happened with the Firecrackers-Georgia team coached by Richard Johnson last week.

The coach wrote to tell us that his 16U team—which is one of eight Firecrackers teams in Georgia now covering the 12U, 14U and 16U age divisions—can happily say 2016 right-handed pitcher Vanessa Bradford puts the Firecrackers GA – Johnson team on the map as having its first college commit as the junior has committed to Alabama State, a DI school that’s a member of the SWAC.

“Vanessa, who goes by the nickname ‘Bubba,’ is a power pitcher who throws 64 to 66 miles per hour and throws the screwball, drop curve, change and riseball,” the coach explains. “Her out pitch, though, is her screwball.”

The coach continues: “Bubba, who plays first base when not pitching, can also hit, she’s a lefty with power who can slap and is also an outstanding base runner.”

The Firecrackers – Johnson team began last August when Tony Rico, who oversees all of the 150-plus Firecracker teams across the country, expanded into Georgia.

“We have plans to grow and continue to provide the Georgia softball players with a great opportunity to be part of something special,” Johnson says and he’s proud that Bradford is the first evidence of putting D1 quality talent on the field.

“What makes Bubba a college level player is her dedication to getting better every day,” continues her club coach. “She has an extremely high softball IQ and is a natural team leader who makes everyone around her better.”

“Vanessa is very coachable and is focused on her goals, but has balance too. What’s important to her are School, Family and Ball. She’s the Manager for the high school baseball team, too, and is simply a joy to coach.”

Bubba plays for Norcross (Ga.) High and has been a 1^st Team All-Region (7AAAAAA) for three years and an All-Gwinnett County pick for two years.

She made a splash her freshman year in 2012 when she pitched back-to-back perfect games and also and led her team with a .403 batting average. For her career, she has a 2.08 average with 368 strikeouts.

On the club side, she also hit well last season batting .429 at the 18 Gold level, but has moved to the 16U level to improve her chances to be recruited. This summer, she’ll also play in the Colorado Sparkler All-Star game representing the Firecrackers – GA Johnson team.

“Vanessa chose to play for the Firecrackers because she wanted play the best competition and be in the best position to get recruited to play in college,” says Johnson. “She knew that the Firecrackers organization would help elevate her profile to a national level which in turn would make her more recruitable.”

So what was it about Alabama State that won her over?

“I want to be part of something really special at ASU and I believe in what they are doing,” Bubba says.

“Vanessa chose ASU because she really connected with the coaches and players and also really liked the campus,” adds her head coach.

“Vanessa is excited about playing for coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson, who is in her first year at ASU after winning the NAIA National Championship in 2014 at Auburn Montgomery University.”