A move to the outfield turned out to be just what Brittany Swatsell, South Grand Prairie's self-professed "softball magnet," needed.

G.J. MCCARTHY / DMN

A move to the outfield turned out to be just what South Grand Prairie's Brittany Swatsell needed.

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The UT-Arlington signee, once a pitcher, suffered a shattered knuckle on the index finger of her right hand two seasons ago. She was struck while pitching batting practice.

Surgery was required. She was sidelined five months and missed her entire sophomore season, except for one at-bat in a playoff game.

And as luck would have it, she was hit on the same finger with a pitch.

It soon became obvious that if Swatsell's softball career was to continue, it would be at a position other than pitcher. She is left with no flexibility in her index finger.

One door closed, but another opened. Swatsell became the starting left fielder last season. She batted .282 and helped South Grand Prairie (22-6-1) reach the playoffs.

South Grand Prairie, under first-year head coach Jonathan Rogers, is one of the favorites in District 7-5A.

"Sometimes I'm still scared about getting hit on the finger," Swatsell said. "I wear a batting glove on my hand, but that is really all I can do.

"My motivation this season is to show I'm worthy of the scholarship."

April 28: District certification deadline

May 2: Bi-district deadline

May 9: Area deadline

May 16: Regional quarterfinal deadline

May 23: Regional semifinal deadline

May 30: Regional deadline

June 4-6: State tournament, Austin

April 29: District certification deadline (Class 1A-4A)

May 2: Bi-district games

May 6: District certification deadline (Class 5A)

May 14-16: State tournament, Waco, Belton