The 2015 parade of softball players from Chattanooga State to four-year programs began Wednesday.
Center fielder Courtney Crawford from Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe and pitcher Hanna Manley from Rhea County signed with NCAA Division II members Lee University and Columbus (Ga.) State, respectively, and right fielder Lizabeth “Izzy” McCurry signed to play for Division I school Campbell in her home state, North Carolina.
After an All-American season in which the Lady Tigers finished third in the NJCAA Division I national tournament, Crawford is batting .436 this season with 14 stolen bases and 40 runs scored.
McCurry and Manley both springboarded from impressive national-tourney performances to solid sophomore years, McCurry with a .435 on-base percentage and .655 slugging percentage, eight homers, 10 other extra-base hits and 36 RBIs and Manley with an 11-3 record and one save, a 2.26 earned run average and 87 strikeouts in 86 2/3 innings. The team is 33-11.
“Courtney was our surprise local get,” Lady Tigers coach Blythe Golden said. “She had a fantastic freshman year and was All-American, and she’s had another great season. She’s had a great career for us.”