When it comes to playing softball, the future is a little fuzzy for Alexis Patterson.

The former Warren Central star is about to graduate from Hinds Community College and head to Delta State. She has a tryout as a walk-on with the softball team, but is at a crossroads in her life and isn’t sure if she’ll play next year or not.

“I want to play, but I know I’m going to have to stop now or two years from now,” she said.

Whether her playing career comes to an end next month or in 2017, one thing is for sure — Patterson has had one heck of a ride at Hinds.

The sophomore third baseman was the team MVP in 2014, and last week earned the Defensive MVP award at Hinds’ athletic awards banquet.

“It made me feel important, like I was needed. It made me feel like I did good to provide for my team,” Patterson said of winning the award.

Patterson was a catcher in high school but switched to third base when she got to Hinds. It was a move that required a bit of courage.

A third baseman in fast-pitch softball often plays in close to defend bunts, and stands less than 40 feet from home plate. A line drive from that distance can cause serious injury.

“You have to be pretty determined and hard-headed,” Patterson said. “If you’re scared of the ball, you can’t play there.”

Patterson has not only shrugged off the danger, she seems to have solved the position. After committing 22 errors in her freshman season, she made only nine this year.

Offensively, she hit .301 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 38 games.

“The team felt like if they hit it to me, I was a pretty steady person,” Patterson said.

Whether she plays softball or not next season, Patterson said she’s going to attend Delta State. The wildlife biology major has a 3.79 GPA and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, which is giving her a full scholarship to Delta State.

No matter her playing future, Patterson said she plans to stay involved in Warren County’s fast-pitch softball scene. She umpires games in the Vicksburg Girls Softball Association, and might coach a 12-and-under team this summer if her schedule permits. She’s also a regular fan at Warren Central’s games, where her sister Brooke still plays.

“I do a lot out here,” Patterson said. “If I don’t play, I might start a summer tournament team. That would be fun.”