Like many people, Lauren Jackson had some doubts during the pandemic. When the 2020 season was stopped, Jackson was only four games into her sophomore year. Her dreams of playing in college was in question after summer travel season was greatly reduced. Jackson responded with a great junior season for Orange, where she led the team with five home runs. On Monday night, Jackson officially signed her letter of intent to play with Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory. Jackson has started for four seasons at Orange. She has been a starter on two Big 8 Conference championship teams. As a freshman in 2019, Jackson led the team with five home runs and was second on the team with 21 RBIs. In her junior season, Jackson had 17 RBIs, second only to Carson Bradsher She was also third on the team with 20 hits. Joining Lauren for the ceremony at Orange High Softball Field on Monday night was her mother Christy and her father William, along with Orange softball coach Johnny Barefoot, assistant Wayne Bradsher, Principal Jason Johnson and Athletic Director Mike McCauley. A couple of Lauren’s travel coaches, Rick Webster and Craig Apple, were also on hand. The Orange softball team returns to action on Tuesday night with a road trip to Burlington to face Walter Williams.