Dale County softball player Shayleigh Whitman signs with Wallace Lady Govs

MIDLAND CITY – Only a couple of miles separate the Dale County High School and Wallace Community College campuses, but that didn't really factor into the decision of Shayleigh Whitman signing with the Lady Govs' softball program Thursday.

"I've been back and forth on it for a while, and I just really love the culture coach (David) Dews and coach (Brianna, assistant) Griffiths are building over there," Whitman said. "The facilities are awesome. Then my faith ... I felt led there. I prayed about it a lot and it was where I felt was the place for me."

Fact is, the culture Dews is trying to build going into his second year as head coach at Wallace is one of the key reasons he believes Whitman, a pitcher/first baseman, fits in perfectly.

"She's one of the very key blocks for us as we build into a player development program that we all can be proud of," Dews said. "I think we're building it the right way and not getting in a rush, but just trying to do it steady and build the right kind of culture."

Whitman had a 19-7 record in the circle last season with 212 strikeouts while also hitting for a .387 average.

Dale County coach Nicole Dutton has watched Whitman progress from being a team manager as a sixth grader to becoming one of the top players in the Wiregrass.

"I would say her strong suit pitching is she does a great job of mixing up pitches on location and speed," Dutton said. "She's got good velocity ... she's not overpowering ... but she does a great job of commanding her pitches."

Perhaps even more important to Dutton is what Whitman brings to the team as a leader.

"Shayleigh is just an all-around great kid," Dutton said. "She is someone you want in your locker room and on your team because she's going to do the right thing."

Not only has Whitman excelled on the high school level, but also has competed on local travel ball teams throughout the years – first with the South Alabama Titans and most recently the Alabama Fury – while also further developing her skills at the All Zones Fastpitch Academy in Enterprise.

"Well, I've been playing it since I was a kid," Whitman said. "It's always been the sport I've loved. Lots of ups and downs, but in the end, all the ups matter more."

Dews said Whitman will have the opportunity to pitch and play first base at Wallace.

"She's a really talented player ... no question about that," Dews said. "We just feel really lucky to keep her here at home. That's what we want to do – we want to build our community college program with great players from the area and help them reach their next goals. I think she's going to have a lot of opportunity with that."

In signing a college scholarship for softball, Whitman, who also played volleyball, is fulfilling a longtime goal.

"Softball has always been what I've dreamed of playing at the next level," Whitman said. "It's like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I'm thankful for the community I have around me. I couldn't do it without my parents and the coaches that have put so much time and effort into me."

With still one more high school season to go this spring, Whitman intends to enjoy it.

"It's the last time I get to do it (in high school), so the goal is to have fun and continue doing the thing I love," she said. "The program here is amazing. I've met some of my best friends through softball."