Although Jack and Bay Minette are separated by 150 miles, Shelby Sorrells sees a lot of her hometown in hew new college locale.

Sorrells, a softball star for the Zion Chapel Lady Rebels over the last five years, put her name on the dotted line of a Letter of Intent to play softball at Faulkner State Community College on Tuesday.

Sorrells said finding a place that was as close knit at Jack was one of her main factors in choosing a college.

“I really liked how they are close together,” Sorrells said. “Everyone was very nice. It was like going down the road and finding another home. It was nice to see it was like that.”

Sorrells is a utility player for Zion Chapel, and has seen action at both second base and shortstop, as well as in the circle as a pitcher.

While she has experience at a variety of positions, Sorrells feels most comfortable in the field.

“I signed for pitching and middle infield,” Sorrells said. “I feel like I am better in the middle, but I don’t care. I will play wherever the coach wants to put me.”

Sorrells will join former Pike Liberal Arts player Jocelyn Jones and former Goshen standout Shelby Vinson at Faulkner State.

Sun Chiefs head coach Mallory Radwitch feels the Troy area is brimming with softball players.

“Sometimes the smaller schools aren’t always as heavily recruited as the bigger 6A or 5A players,” said Radwitch. “That is good for us, because there are still quality softball players. Sometimes they are just overlooked by the larger schools.”

Radwitch said Sorrells will be used as a pitcher, infielder and even in the outfield during her time in Bay Minette.

Zion Chapel head coach Chelsi Jones feels Faulkner State is gaining a good softball player, and even better person.

“It has been awesome to watch her (Sorrells) grow in to this amazing female athlete,” said Jones. “Faulkner is getting an A-plus student-athlete. She is a hard working person and will do great things in her career. This is only the beginning for her.”