Wheatland's May inks with Texas Women's University

They say things are bigger in Texas, and the résumé of Wheatland High senior Randi May certainly fits that description.

She was named Butte View League MVP for the second straight season in 2012 after leading the Pirates to their second consecutive undefeated BVL campaign and earned herself first-team All-Northern Section accolades in the process.

Now, she's earned a scholarship to play for Texas Women's University next season after signing a National Letter of Intent in November to take her pitching talents to the NCAA Division II program.

"I never heard of them until I went to a tournament in Palmdale with my competitive team," May said. "They saw me play, and then a few days later their coach called and asked if I could come out."

May then flew to Denton, Texas, where she spent two days visiting the campus before signing on to join the Pioneers.

"I like the atmosphere there," she said. "It has a small-town kind of feel."

May has been a force both in the circle and in the batter's box from the moment she took the field as a freshman. She has been an All-BVL selection in each of her three years at the varsity level and is a two-time Appeal-Democrat All-Area pick.

With May leading the way, the Pirates have advanced to the last two Northern Section Division IV championship games, dropping tight two-run contests to Anderson on both occasions.

As a junior last spring, the right-hander went 21-9 and pitched 182 of her team's 186 innings. May posted a 1.50 ERA, struck out 186 batters with just 29 walks, and batted .362 with 27 RBIs at the plate.

For her career, May has a record of 51-22 with a 1.58 ERA to go with a .321 batting average.

"She's already set the school record for innings pitched, which says something because we've had some pretty good teams around here," Wheatland coach Jim Vossler said. "She could have blisters or sore legs and she never says no to the ball. She always competes, even when she doesn't have her best stuff."

Of course, the scholarship offer was the byproduct of honing her craft for years.

She started pitching when she was 11 and began working with local pitching guru and Lindhurst head coach Bill Biggs the following year. The two formed a tight bond and still work together to this day.

"He's taught me a lot," May said. "He's taught me through good spots, tough spots and every spot in between.

"He built me up to the person I am today."

And while the only thing missing from her already impressive résumé is a section title, it's something she hopes the Pirates will capture this season.

"This year is going to be interesting. Hopefully we'll get to the end and finish this time," she said. "I want to get that trophy and say we did it."