Brooke Patterson first started playing softball when she was 4 years old.

“I came out of the womb pitching a softball,” she joked.

Last week, the Warren Central senior ensured that her career will go on a little longer by signing a national letter of intent with Hinds Community College.

Patterson, who was the 2014 Vicksburg Post Softball Player of the Year, picked Hinds from among a half-dozen junior colleges that had offered her a scholarship.

“It was being close, and being able to come home and see friends and family, and my sister and softball coach,” Patterson said of her reason for choosing Hinds. “And I’m going into nursing and they have a good program. A bunch of things fell into place.”

Patterson’s parents, Mike and Cindy Patterson, joked Friday about how Brooke would follow her older sister Alexis around at softball games. Alexis is two years older, and Brooke would sneak into Warren Central’s dugout during games when Alexis was a freshman and sophomore.

Brooke is now following Alexis once more. Alexis Patterson was Hinds’ defensive MVP last season. Brooke, though, has done plenty to stand on her own.

Brooke Patterson is a .512 career hitter at the high school level. She hit .568 in 2014, which was the fifth-highest average in the state, and .518 last season. She’s also shown versatility in the field by playing the outfield, catcher and pitcher at various times for the Lady Vikes and her tournament team Motion 98.

Patterson has been WC’s starting catcher the past two seasons but will take over as its primary pitcher this spring. She was the No. 3 pitcher last season and only threw three varsity innings, but saw more time in junior varsity games. Patterson said Hinds coach Mike Grzanich has told her he plans to play her in center field.

“Wherever they need me, they put me,” Patterson said. “It’s always a helpful skill to be able to play anywhere. That’s what college coaches look for.”

Plenty of coaches were also looking to acquire Patterson’s services. In addition to Hinds, she had offers from Holmes, East Central, Southwest Mississippi and Itawamba Community Colleges.

She said that while it seemed natural to keep playing after high school, she also realized how rare the opportunity is to actually do it.

“It feels like something normal to keep going, but it’s special to have someone offer this to me,” Patterson said.

Patterson’s parents praised their daughter for her drive and determination.

“She did it all herself. She earned it,” Cindy Patterson said.

Brooke’s father Mike picked up the thought, adding, “All we did was supply her to the coaches and get her to the fields, and she did the rest.”