Pike Liberal Arts senior Ashelyn Atwell is heading to play softball at Huntingdon College in Montgomery.

The right fielder made it official on Thursday when she signed her National Letter of Intent in the Pike Liberal Arts library in front of family and friends.

“I have been working really hard the last four years to be able to accomplish this big dream of mine,” Atwell said. “I’m super excited about it.”

Atwell will make the short drive up to Montgomery to play for head coach Casey Chrietzberg.

“It’s close to home and it has a real homey feel,” Atwell said. “Everybody is so nice and accepting. I really like that about it.”

Atwell will have one more season playing softball with the Patriots. Along with winning a championship, Atwell has her sights on improving and fine-tuning her skills before competing on the collegiate level.

“I really want to work on the tiny things,” Atwell said. “Like the fundamentals that I might be a little behind on. Other than that, I just want to work on having a good season.”

Signing days are not just special for the players and their families, but the coaches as well. Head coach Robert Rollan was happy to see Atwell’s hard work pay off.

“She got pursued by Huntingdon and I was excited for her,” Rollan said. “Then whenever the coach said we want you, that was just exciting for her. She has worked really hard and has come a long way. She has really improved as a softball player and I think it’s a testimony for someone that has worked as hard as she has to get to where she is. It’s fun to watch.”

Pike Liberal Arts has made it a habit over the years of having players sign on to play at the collegiate level. To Rollan, it’s proof that all the teaching, learning and hard work pays off.

“It just means we are doing the right thing,” Rollan said. “We are working hard, playing right and putting out ball players that can play at the next level.”

Succeeding at the high school level is what coach Rollan wants out of everyone of his players.
“We want to see them play at the next level, but we also want them to succeed at this level,” Rollan said. “We are doing all the things we can to make them successful not only here, but also at the next level.