Former Lady Bulldog now flourishing with TCC

By SHELIA MADER
Published: May 13, 2008

Former Marianna High School softball player Mary Helen Tyler has continued to rack up the awards both on and off the field at Tallahassee Community College.

Academically, she has a 3.75 GPA and has been named to the Dean’s List for the quarter at TCC.

Tyler graduated from MHS in 2006 with an armload of awards for her four years on the field as a Lady Bulldog.

Tyler was named the 2005 Female Athlete of the Year as well as the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, was the recipient of the “Will to Win” award as a freshman and was named to the Jackson County All-County Team in 2006.

She was all chosen to play in the FHSAA All-Star Game in Kissimee her senior year. At TCC, she was one of only two freshmen to start in all 51 games in 2007. Tyler batted .310 last season with eight doubles, two triples, and 21 RBI.

This season, Tyler has taken her game to the next level, drawing the attention of several university programs.

The University of Central Florida, Jackson University, Flagler, Troy, West Florida and Florida State have all expressed interest.

Tyler played her best series ever in this year’s state tournament, batting .492 with 10 RBI.

Defensively, Tyler had a perfect fielding percent, while successfully throwing out two runners.

She was named to the State All-Tournament Team and Gulf Region All Tournament Team, as well as making first team Panhandle All-Conference and second team all-state.

About Tyler, TCC Head Coach Patti Townsend has nothing but high marks.

“How much room do you have in your paper? She (Tyler) deserves everything that has come her way,” she said. “She is the hardest worker I have ever met both on and off the field. She is a great Christian, has completed missionary trips and is just a tremendous kid all around.”

Tyler is the daughter of Jim and Angie Tyler of Marianna. She has one older sister, Julie Smith and a younger brother, J. D. Tyler, all of Marianna.

TCC will leave Wednesday headed to Plant City to compete for the National Title.

TCC’s first game is scheduled for 11 a.m.