Perryville's Baer will play softball at Evansville

~ The senior was the Southeast Missourian player of the year in 2010

Morgan Baer didn't want her college decision hanging over her head.

The Perryville softball player made up her mind to attend the University of Evansville more than a year ago.

"They're one of the best physical therapy schools, and they have a fresh softball program," she said.

The Purple Aces compete in the Missouri Valley Conference.

"Morgan has an aggressive style of play, not only at the catcher and corner positions, but also on the bases," Evansville coach Mark Redburn said in a release. "Her high level of skills and experience should give her great confidence coming into her first year. She will provide us with several playing options defensively."

Baer, who was the 2010 Southeast Missourian softball player of the year, has been a mainstay behind the plate for the Pirates. She batted .481 with a homer, 26 RBIs and 16 stolen bases as a senior.

"I did look at a couple other colleges, but Evansville seemed right for me," she said.

Baer helped the Pirates reach the Class 3 District 1 title game as a junior, where they lost to Notre Dame. Perryville was eliminated on a walk-off homer in the bottom of the seventh inning of the Class 3 District 1 semifinals in October.