Music ranging from Fuel, Jadakiss and Rascal Flatts is on the playlist of junior shortstop Brooke Reed.

Off the field, Reed has had to deal with a transition that is about as diverse as her playlist.

Even though it’s her junior year, Reed is experiencing her first full competitive season at Western. Reed transfered from Birmingham Southern last year after an injury.

What brought her to Western was the same thing that sparked her to go to Birmingham Southern, an opportunity to play under coach Tyra Perry.

“It was basically based on playing for coach Perry again,” Reed said. “I love playing for her. Being a player under her, she helps me become a better player and a person on and off the field. I have learned so much from her.”

Perry previously led Birmingham Southern which is where she recruited Reed as a high schooler.

“Coach Perry was one of the first coaches to start recruiting me when I was in high school,” Reed said. “For some reason, I had this feeling like I knew I could play for her, be happy, be content and reach my full potential.”

Perry said that Reed was quiet but still a leader for the Lady Toppers.

“Even though she is a little older and a red-shirt junior here at Western, she’s still not very vocal just by nature,” Perry said. “She is more of a leader by example. She leads with the way she plays on the field and the way she approaches the game.”

Off the field, Reed enjoys cooking food, especially if it is Cajun food from her native state of Louisiana.

“I know that she likes to cook,” junior Shannon Smith said. “Her favorite stuff is like jambalaya and definitely other Cajun stuff. Her and Brittney (Perry) are both from Louisiana, and they always have meals.”

Sophomore Brittney Perry said that Reed is a big fan of eggs.

“She loves eggs and rice,” Perry said. “She can eat it any time of the day. She just likes eggs. She eats egg sandwiches and eggs and rice.”

Perry also said that Reed is a fun roommate and that their relationship has grown off the field.

“It’s pretty fun. We have a lot of good times together,” Perry said. “I’ve known Brooke since my junior year in high school, and we never really talked to each other. Since we have moved in together, we have become really close friends.”

Reed and the rest of the Lady Toppers will host Evansville in a doubleheader today at the WKU Softball Complex at 5 p.m.

Worth Noting

Western beat Tennessee Tech 3-0 on Thursday night. The Lady Toppers improved to 18-11 this season. Junior first baseman Lindsay Antone went 1-2 and scored two runs.

Senior pitcher Ryan Rogge pitched a complete game, giving up four hits, striking out seven and allowing no runs.