Former Goshen Eagle and current Crenshaw Christian Academy softball player Katlyn Gamble signed a full-tuition scholarship to play for the Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) Pirates last Tuesday afternoon.

“I went to Goshen since I was in the sixth grade, and I transferred this last year. This is my first year at Crenshaw Christian,” Gamble said.

“I’ve played softball since I was eight years old. I played travel ball, fall, spring and summer, and then I got old enough to play high school. And I’ve been playing ever since.”

As a member of the South Alabama Lady Titans travel ball team, Gamble went to play CVCC in a pair of games. After the two games, Gamble notes that CVCC’s Steve O’Steen spoke with all the seniors; she was one of the players that were offered a scholarship.

“When Katlyn signed and made it official, that was the first scholarship for softball here in the last 11 years, I believe,” said Crenshaw Christian Academy Athletic Director Mike Sims.

“That’s a very big event, and we always take pride in doing that. If I recall correctly, that puts us at over $1 million for our senior class, and we have less than 20 seniors. So that’s a really big event.”

With the upcoming softball season just around the corner, Gamble is ready and waiting to hit the field with her fellow Lady Cougars. Throughout her time as a softball player, Gamble says that her favorite aspects of playing are getting to meet new people and the love of the game.

Even though she’s only spent one year at CCA, Gamble believes it was a great choice for her future.

“It’s been a great experience here. I made the right choice moving,” she said.

“My favorite thing has been having such a close class and being very supported.”

Coaches and faculty alike have been impressed with Gamble’s talent and effort on the field, and they are equally as excited to see what she can bring to the CCA team.

“We hope this is great things for the future to come here at CCA, not only with Katlyn but also with some of our future athletes,” Sims said.

“To have over $1 million dollars in scholarship money for our seniors is a great thing to have here. And what better environment to do it in when you can open up with education and close with a successful young lady and a successful program. It’s official, and she will now be a Pirate for the 2017-2018 school year.”

While the idea of moving away from home might not be the most inviting thing to Gamble, she is excited about her future.

“I’m very excited, but it’s also kind of scary. I’ll be there by myself surrounded by all new things, and I won’t have my mom to help me do stuff anymore,” she said.

“But I’m looking forward to continuing my love of the game.”