FAYETTEVILLE SOFTBALL : Duo signs college letters of intent
Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2008
Fayetteville ace Amanda Summerford might not be done setting records in high school, but she is set on playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks next year.
The senior pitcher signed with the University of Arkansas at a signing party Wednesday at Fayetteville’s new Asbell Softball Complex adjacent to Lady Dawg Yard.
Fayetteville High center fielder Lauren Caldwell signed with Rollins College of Winter Park, Fla., during the signing festivities. The two longtime friends inked with their respective schools Wednesday, which marked the start of the early signing period.
“ It’s always been my dream to be a Razorback, ” Summerford said. “... I’ve been a Razorback since Day 1 and when the offer came through I said, ‘ I can’t see myself anywhere else. This is home. ’”
Summerford accepted a partial scholarship offer from UA head coach Jamie Pinkerton on Oct. 21. The senior owns two school records for no-hitters (four ) and strikeouts (535 ) in a career, and is well on her way to a couple more during her senior season in wins and innings pitched.
Summerford pitched two perfect games, 14 shutouts and struck out 258 batters last season. All were single-season records for FHS as she bolstered a 0. 35 ERA.
Summerford was the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2007 as a sophomore and has been named to three All-State teams. She also helped lead the Lady Bulldogs to two state championship trophies and three championship game appearances.
Pinkerton said he expects Summerford’s rise ball and ability to “ change the sidelines ” to complement the Razorbacks ’ pitching staff led by hurlers Miranda Dixon and Kim Jones in 2009.
“ She brings alot of winning qualities to our program, ” Pinkerton said. “ She has the ability, when she’s not pitching, to play another position, and I always want pitchers that can do things when they’re not in the circle. ”
Summerford could play somewhere in the outfield and at first base when not pitching. The UA signed three pitchers, including Summerford, during the early signing period Wednesday.
“ She’s going to have her work cut out for her, but she’s worked hard every day, ” Fayetteville head coach Jason Shirey said. “ That won’t be an issue for her as far as working, competing and fighting for a spot. ”
Several schools showed interest and Eastern Illinois University presented a tempting scholarship offer earlier this fall to Summerford.
“ That just took my breath way, ” Summerford said. “ But I was waiting for Coach Pinkerton and Arkansas to come though, and whenever they did, I couldn’t turn it down. ”
Caldwell made her decision to accept a partial scholarship offer from Rollins College, a Division II program, in mid-September. The school’s husband-wife coaching team of Michelle and Steve Frew first noticed Caldwell during the Colorado Fireworks Tour nament in Denver on the Fourth of July weekend.
The center fielder for FHS, who owns a 3. 9 GPA and academic scholarship opportunities from Rollins, will play first base in her freshman year for the Tars.
“ I’m glad I got to sign early so I can relax, ” Caldwell said. “ I’m so glad that Amanda got to do the same and have the same experience. We grew up with each other and it’s so cool to look back when we were younger and see how far we’ve come since then. ”
Caldwell holds four single-season school records and is in the top three in nine other offensive categories for career numbers. With one season left to play, the senior is ranked second in home runs (17 ), runs scored (112 ) and batting average (. 447 ).
Caldwell and Summerford both hope to reach the Class 7 A state championship game for the fourth year in a row at Bogle Park on the UA campus in May. The 2009 championship game will be the first high school championship in the Razorbacks ’ new softball park.
“ It’s going to be exciting to see [Summerford ] move across the street to the new stadium, ” Pinkerton said. “... Hopefully she’ll get to win another state title and get to christen the new field in her last game with Fayetteville. ”
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