STATESBORO – For many college athletes, playing at the university level means leaving home and starting a new chapter of their life. These athletes are taken out of their comfort zones and placed into a new environment to continue playing the sport they love. But Alana Barnard and Delanie Thames have been able to continue their passion for softball in the place that they call home.

Barnard is a junior right handed pitcher at Georgia Southern and Thames, a sophomore, plays shortstop. 

Barnard recalls one of her favorite memories growing up in Statesboro, which was going to watch Georgia Southern softball play. “When I was in eighth grade and throughout high school, that’s kind of how me and my dad bonded,” said Barnard. “It was cool because some of the people I came to watch, I ended up playing with them”.

Junior pitcher Alana Barnard has grown up in Statesboro alongside her teammate Delanie Thames. These two athletes have known each other since they were kids in elementary school all the way to high school. Now the two have the opportunity to represent the town they know as home while playing for Georgia Southern softball. 

“We met when we were six,” said Barnard. The duo can recall playing recreational softball and cheering together when they were younger. “We’ve grown up together, we went to elementary school together, middle and high school,” said Thames. 

The bond these teammates have had throughout the years can now be seen in their continued love for softball. Barnard and Thames talked about their upbringing in Statesboro and how that has shaped their connection to Georgia Southern softball. 

When asked about why the girls chose to continue their athletic journey at a local university, they reflected on the moments that contributed to their decision. The connection. “The coaches here did not hesitate to reassure me that I was wanted,” said Barnard. “They reminded me that I was a part of the team but also a part of a family”.

Not only has the coaching staff played an important part in the girl's careers, but the love they feel from their supporters brings encouragement and pride. As the two players look into the stands on game days, they can see the crowd filled with familiar faces cheering them on. “We have teachers, past coaches, family, friends,” said Barnard. “Anytime you look out into the stands, yes, other people's families are there. But most likely none of them are going to have high school and travel coaches that you grew up playing with”.

The local roots these two have can be seen as an inspiration to those around them. The two shared that they enjoy giving back to their community through lessons with younger softball players who may aspire to be in their position one day. As the two teammates have grown and learned over the years, they want to remind younger athletes who may be from a smaller area to keep working hard. 

“Hard work beats talent,” said Thames.

“Every time,” agreed Barnard.