Shey Steelman signed a letter of intent on Feb. 15 to pitch with the Surry Community Knights’ softball team. Pictured are, front from left, Brett Steelman (Shey’s father), Shey Steelman and Sherry Steelman (Shey’s mother), back, from left, Surry head softball coach Amber Reid, Austin Gunter (Steelman’s brother), Rachel Davis (Steelman’s high-school coach), and Jimmy Warden (Steelman’s high-school pitching coach).

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DOBSON —Senior Shey Steelman of Forbush High School signed a letter of intent to play softball with Surry Community College on Feb., 15, competing as pitcher.

Surry Community head softball coach Amber Reid said Steelman will bring speed, quality and impact to the team in her role as pitcher.

Reid said, “We are thrilled that Shey has chosen Surry to continue her athletic and academic performance. She will definitely be an asset to our program. I have recruited her as a pitcher and I feel that she will step into a starting role and be very successful in our region. I can accurately make that prediction right now.”

Coach Reid said a pitcher brings in one or two qualities that are necessary. Reid said she brings a lot of heat on fast balls, throws the ball hard and has ability to move the ball.

“Her movement and speed makes her unique,” said Reid.

Steelman, a senior at Forbush, and Brittany Myers, a senior at Surry Central, are both local recruits that the Surry Knights recently acquired and they will improve dominance in the conference, said Reid.

Reid said the Knights softball program started in 2009 and she has been the head coach for five seasons.

Reid said, “Since we started the program, we have been very competitive and have not had anything lower than a fourth place finish.”

The Surry Community College softball team is sanctioned by the National Junior College Athletic Association and is in the Region 10 conference. Reid said the conference is comprised of seven schools out of the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Reid said the current starting shortstop, Natalie Hauser, is also of Forbush.

Many of the girls were once former rivals and come into the program and learn to play as one, said the coach.

“We have time together in the fall to build team and family chemistry. It works out real well,” said Reid.

Steelman said the coaching staff of the Surry Knights and the current players on the Surry Knight’s team have already made her feel at home. She also commended the positive influence of the Forbush coaching staff efforts of turning her into a competitive pitcher.

The young pitcher credited God as having influence in her decision to choose the Surry Knights and also her parents.

Steelman said her parents have supported and encouraged her both spiritually and financially and are happy that she will be playing pitcher so close to home at Surry.

The Knights will start their regular season on Friday.