Moore signs with TRCC

Poplar Bluff senior Breanna Moore, bottom left, signs to play softball at TRCC.

One of Poplar Bluff's most productive hitters will be playing softball across town next season.

Breanna Moore signed her national letter of intent earlier this week to play for the Three Rivers Lady Raiders after setting three records as a Lady Mules.

"It's going to be a great fit for her and a great fit for Three Rivers," Poplar Bluff softball coach Dustin Benson said. "I believe she'll step right in and fit right into the program.

"She's just a great all-around softball player."

A four-year letterman, Moore set a team mark for career hits and RBIs in a season and career. Her play at shortstop, where Moore played the last three seasons, also caught the eye of Three Rivers coach Jack Childress.

"As far as I'm concerned she was the best shortstop in the area," Childress said. "Whether it's short, second, third or first, she has a good feel for the game.

"I saw her over at Kelso make a play that was Ozzie Smith-type going into the outfield."

The Lady Mules finished 15-11 this season and were 62-41 during Moore's four years.

"It feels pretty good to stay in town, stay at home, not move away," Moore said. "It was really important."

At the plate, Moore was a career .387 hitter, striking out just 16 times in 310 at-bats while walking 16 times. Her 120 hits and 74 RBIs broke team records while her 30 extra-base hits fell six shy of another mark.

This fall, Moore led the Lady Mules with a .400 average on 34 hits. She set a record with 32 RBIs, five more than the previous mark set nine years earlier. Moore struck out just five times in 85 at-bats and was tied for the team lead with 25 runs scored.

"I think she'll step right in and have a lot of success at that level because it seemed like she did most of her damage against some of the better pitchers because she's use to that speed," Benson said.

Three Rivers opens this season Feb. 22 after finishing 30-18 last year. Moore is the first of Childress' recruiting class, which has since added Kelly's Londyn Backfisch.

"She's what the doctor ordered for us," Childress said of Moore. "We're losing a lot of people. If I bring in really good freshmen like her, maybe we'll have a chance."