UPIKE Athletics

Brandi Jo Howard is entering her second season as a graduate assistant with the UPIKE softball team in 2017.

Howard played for the Bears for four seasons from 2012-15, earning All Mid-South Conference honors as a freshman after hitting .326 with two doubles, three triples, 13 RBIs, seven stolen bases and 17 runs scored. She hit .291 for her career with 11 doubles, 11 triples and 42 stolen bases.

A Salyersville, Ky., native, Howard prepped at Magoffin County High School where she set the single-season Kentucky state record for steals in 2010 with 82. She was a Kentucky High School Class A First Team All-State selection in 2011.