Liberty County’s two-time Region 3-AAAA Softball Pitcher of the Year, Kathryn Carter, has signed a scholarship to play softball for Valdosta State University.
Carter signed Thursday in the LCHS media center surrounded by her family, friends and teammates.
“I’m very, very, very excited and I can’t wait to get on campus and start playing,” she said.
Valdosta State captured the 2012 NCAA Division II National Softball Championship, Carter said she wants to help them win all four years of her college career.
Last season, the Blazers finished 44-5 overall placing first in the Southern Region.
Carter played for the Lady Panthers for the past three seasons and captured 26 wins off 277 innings pitched in
74 games played, earning 297 strikeouts. This season, she helped the Lady Panthers achieve an 11-13 overall record and 7-5 Region 3-AAAA mark.
Carter said but being close to home swayed her to Valdosta State.
“My parents can come and watch me play every game. I guess I really never thought about my parents being able to come to games (before), but being able to have them come and stay and watch me play was a big part of making the decision,” she said.
She said her strength is keeping her composure on the mound, as well as being able to lift her team’s spirit.
“She has a really great support base, as you can see from all the family she has around here and all the softball players and even football players here, supporting her and each other today,” Lady Panther coach Jerome Standard said. “She is going to do great. She is strong minded and knows the game and understands the work that has to be done. She has already set goals and not set herself at the top, knowing there is always room for improvement.”
“I plan to continue to work hard and get better,” Carter said, grading herself at B.
Her father, Sanford Carter, said he was proud and excited for her.
“We are glad to see that all the work she has put in has come to this,” he said. “And we will be able to watch her play a lot more so we are excited about that.”
He said he knows his daughter will do well on her own, but added he felt good about the coaches overseeing the team.
“We feel real comfortable with the coach and he will be right there,” he said.
Cheri Carter said she would like to see her daughter continue to be role model, and that she supports her.
“Like I am walking on one side of her and she can hear my voice,” she offered. “I am just so excited for her, that it has all worked out and she is happy and going somewhere that is also close to home.”