In the midst of preparing for their Class 4A Division I Region I semifinals series against Dumas, three members of the Brownwood Lady Lions softball team on Wednesday signed to continue their athletic and academic careers at the college level, including right fielder Jakayla Peek who is headed to Howard Payne University.

A two-time second-team all-district selection in the outfield, Peek has moved from left field to a much busier right field for her senior campaign and has a .366 on-base percentage with a team-high 16 walks, 12 hits, one home run and 11 RBIs.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was really young and I’m just excited I get to pursue that at the next level,” Peek said of playing at the college level.

Regarding why she chose HPU, Peek said, “I like the HPU community. I talked to a lot of people that have been to Howard Payne and they said it feels like home, and I like feeling at home, and the program has treated me really great.”

Peek stated her interest from the get-go has always been Howard Payne.

As for being in the third round of the playoffs in her final season of high school softball, Peek said, “I’m excited for us. As long we keep our energy and we keep playing how we’ve been playing we can go even farther.”

Peek said her fondest memories of her time at Brownwood High School are, “Creating the bonds with the girls, that’s been really memorable. Softball is like family for us. I’m going to miss the connection we all have and being able to see them every day.

In the classroom, Peek intends to pursue a degree in nursing.

The Lady Lions (19-11), who under head coach Cherita Munguia have made their deepest postseason run since reaching the state tournament in 2016, face No. 4 Dumas in a best of three series at Lubbock Cooper with Game 1 at 6 p.m. Thursday and Games 2 and 3, if needed, at 11 a.m. Friday.