Melba and Rickey Mitchell of Vicksburg announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Michele of Brandon, to J.R. Ballinger, also of Brandon. Mr. Ballinger is the son of Karen and Kent Parnell of Lucedale and the late Tommy Ballinger of Hurley, Miss.

Miss Mitchell is the granddaughter of Timmie I. Fedell and the late Michel Fedell and the late Loyce and Joe Mitchell, all of Vicksburg.

Mr. Ballinger is the grandson of Belle Ledbetter and the late Ralph Ledbetter and Juanita Ballinger and the late James and Martha Ballinger, all of Hurley.

The bride-elect is a 2006 graduate of Warren Central High School, where she was a freshman cheerleader, recipient of the Norseman Award and member of the Lady Vikes basketball team, Valhalla yearbook staff, Key Club, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society. She was a member of Sub Debs and Vicksburg Cotillion Club.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 2010 from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was a member of Phi Mu fraternity, Southern Miss Diamond Darlings, Student Nursing Association and Gamma Beta Phi honor society.

Miss Mitchell is a registered nurse with Baptist Health Systems in Jackson.

The prospective groom is a 2006 graduate of East Central High School in Hurley, where he was a three-year starter for the baseball team. He was selected to the all-district and all-state teams and played in the MAC All Star Game. He received the Heart of a Champion Award, Marine Corps Sports’ Player Award and the English Award.

He attended the University of Southern Mississippi, playing in the 2009 College World Series, and was selected to the 2007 Conference USA All-Freshman team, the 2009 All-Conference USA Tournament Team and the 2009 Atlanta Regional Tournament Team.

Mr. Ballinger was selected in the 11th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago White Sox. He is currently playing in the Carolina League with the Winston-Salem Dash High A Club.

The wedding will be at 5 p.m. Nov. 12, 2011, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. A reception will follow at the B’nai B’rith Literary Club. All relatives and friends are invited to attend.