Gaston College softball welcomes pair of local products who led their school to best-ever season

When Jaycee Bivins and Hunter Morgan played together at Burns High School, they helped the Bulldogs to their first winning record and first postseason victory in 10 years and their first conference title in 21 years.

That's why when Bivins and Morgan watched Gaston College last season as they won Region 10 and National Junior College Athletic Association district titles and advanced to the NJCAA World Series, they were eager to be a part of the Rhinos' program.

Teammates for the last three years, Bivins and Morgan actually attended Gaston College independent of one another.

But they both came away with the same impression.

"It's like a sisterhood," Morgan said. "And I wanted to be a part of it. It helps even more that I'm going to be here with someone I know and have confidence in."

Rhinos coach Mike Steuerwald offered Morgan first, then later offered Bivins after she visited.

"We have always heard a lot of good things about Gaston and coach Stu and his coaching background," Bivins said. "With all the success Gaston had last season, I'm thinking, 'That's something I want to be a part of.'
"He had contacted Hunter first and then he was talking to me and when I made a visit, I automatically loved it."

Bivins and Morgan are among 17 newcomers who look to help Gaston College have a solid encore after last season's 43-10 overall record. Another newcomer is a former high school rival of the pair in Highland Tech's Emma Ghorley.

"They were exciting to watch last season," Morgan said. "What really got me was how close they were and the team was like a family.
"Softball teams that are successful usually are like that. That's what we have to do this season."

Bivins added that while last year's team had great chemistry it also handled all the details necessary to win championships.

"They moved quick, they were spirited and they didn't play around - and they got the job done," Bivins said. "Our high school coach (Joni Wellman) always had high expectations for us, so coming here it's nice that it's the same.
"And we have one goal - and that's to get back to Alabama" for the NJCAA World Series.