Sarah Davis, Powhatan High School’s premier softball pitcher, has solidified her future in major college softball. Accompanied by her parents, Bob and Deborah Davis, high school coach Marie Crump, Rip Tides travel team coach Gerald Glidewell and Storm travel team coaches Bob Hansen and Jerry Shelton, Sarah signed a National Letter of Intent to Radford University on Nov. 27. Her commitment to Radford comes with the reward of a four year, full-tuition scholarship.

With her senior season and the completion of her legacy at Powhatan High School still in front of her, Sarah had no reservations concerning her early commitment to Radford. Her visit to the southwestern Virginia campus last spring was the only motivation she needed. “Did you ever visit a place for the first time and it just felt like home? I liked the school, I liked the coach… and I had heard a lot of good things about the (softball) program,” said the quiet righthander. Sarah neither visited nor expressed any interest in any other school.

Radford offers impressive credentials as a forerunner in the Big South Conference. Coming off a 43-win season coach Dean is excited about Sarah’s future with the Highlanders.

“Sarah is a tall (6’), hard throwing pitcher. She will be a force to be reckoned with in the Big South and Regional play,” Dean said.

Sarah has been more than that in her three years at Powhatan High School. Her sophomore credentials included selection as an All-State Pitcher plus All-Metro honors and Regional Pitcher of the Year. Her junior year honors included second team All-State, All-Region and Richmond Times-Dispatch First Team awards.

In the past two seasons Sarah has posted an impressive 39-4 record and went 17-1 as a junior. She struck out 517 batters, issued 40 walks and compiled a miniscule .29 ERA in the three years she has pitched for PHS. Her 32 strikeouts in the 2006 State Championship game is a record for all Virginia high schools and should remain as such far into the future.

“Her mere presence on the mound has provided additional confidence to the team,” said Crump. “She has increased the number of different pitches she throws and this keeps the opposition off balance.” But most daunting for future opponents “Sarah has gained speed on her pitches every year.”

Bob and Deborah Davis are justifiably impressed with their daughter’s achievements. “We’re very proud of her. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work,” Deborah said.

“It’s something she has always wanted to do and she has achieved it,” Bob added.