I Committed: Mika Anthony-Conner Finds Home with McNeese Softball
BY Regan Weekly
September 20, 2023
Dimika “Mika” Anthony-Conner instantly accepted the offer to play softball at McNeese State University.
Dimika “Mika” Anthony-Conner is a quintessential example of a player taking “trust the process” to heart.
The late coach of the Texas Bombers Gold, Joey Melton, administered this simple piece of advice to Mika when she began playing with him in 10U, and she made sure to hold firm to the idea, especially as college coaches began to notice her.
Mika is a versatile athlete, able to play the corners, middle infield, and outfield depending on where her team needs her in that game. During her most recent season at Dayton High School, she showcased her defensive skills at every possible chance, earning a .927 fielding percentage over 27 games.
Also a threat in the box, Mika batted .407 with 33 hits and 30 RBIs, as well as numerous extra base hits that helped put her team in a position to win.
With such an impressive spring, it is no surprise that Mika came out and dominated in tournaments across the country this summer for the Bombers.
Coach Rob Mooneyham, who has instructed the athlete since 10U and took over as head coach when Coach Melton passed away, shared that Mika had garnered the attention of several programs prior to September 1st.
“She’s never hit below .400 in any season I’ve coached her, and the power she swings the bat with is elite,” he said. “Mika never really received private instruction like a bunch of athletes nowadays do. She’s a gifted player who works hard and wants to get better, making her an ideal recruit for several programs.”
At a tournament this summer, Coach James Landreneaunoticed Mika on the field and immediately invited her to attend a camp the following day. She accepted.
“It just felt right to me,” Mika commented, recalling how she felt after the camp. “I was later asked to come for a visit and, just pulling into the parking lot, it felt like I was already home.”
In the months between meeting McNeese’s coaching staff and September 1st, Mika was training harder than ever and making the most of every opportunity to show out on the field in preparation for the fall and all that came with it.
When the time was right, Mika received an offer to continue her education and athletic career at McNeese State University.
Mika posed in her future McNeese Cowgirl uniform on her official visit.
“Coach Joey always told me to trust the process and I always did. I was holding out for a program that made me feel like I belonged,” said the 2024 commit. “Coach Joey passed away a few years ago and I just feel like Coach James is a lot like him. I loved the atmosphere, the girls, the coaches, the town—I think I fell in love with everything! Everyone was so welcoming and it was like being with family, so of course I committed as soon as Coach James made the offer.”
Mika’s first call after committing was to Sheila Melton, Coach Joey’s wife who is just as big of a fan of Mika as he was.
“Joey always knew you would be great,” Sheila said to Mika. “He knew you had so much talent.”
Coach Mooneyham was adamant about the fantastic loyalty that Mika has shown throughout the years, never switching teams or making moves that would leave a negative impact on those she cared about. I couldn’t help but agree with the coach, without even knowing the athlete, that McNeese softball definitely got a steal when they got Mika.
“Coach Joey was hard on me only because he knew what I had in me, and after getting my offer I couldn’t help but think he had so much to do with this,” Mika added, paying due respect to a man who had such an impact on her reaching her dreams. “I can’t thank him enough and I know when I take my first step on the field as a Cowgirl, he will be there with me! Trust the process, words to live by!”
Mika will join the McNeese State Cowgirls on the field in the fall. She intends to study biology and will wear #55 on the field.
