Katlyn Childress’ dedication came to fruition on Thursday, as the Billingsley pitcher signed a letter of intent to play softball at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa.

Family, friends and many of her fellow classmates filed into the gym at Billingsley School to witness the moment when pen and paper came together to make the decision official.

“I’ve just been really excited about realizing that I am about to play college ball,” Childress said. “I guess I have one last year to be a kid, and I want to go out with a bang.”

Shelton State captured Childress’ attention from the very beginning of the recruiting process and quickly appeared to be a perfect fit.

“I took a tour and it just felt like home,” Childress said.

The ceremony was packed full of emotion, but also provided a sense of relief for Childress and her family.

“Now I don’t have to worry about prospectors watching me this season,” Childress said. “I can just play and focus on helping my team get a ring.”

Several of Childress’ travel ball teammates she has played with have gone on to Shelton State, which should provide quite a familiar environment and the opportunity for an easy transition.

“She’s worked really hard for this,” said William Childress, Katlyn’s father. “She has not just become a good ball player, but also a good person. It’s been quite a journey.”

Childress reminisced about spending many days, just the two of them at the Clanton ballparks.

“I couldn’t tell you the number of Saturdays that she has given up over the years, but today makes all that worth it,” Billingsley head coach J.T. Lawrence said. “I’m proud for her and her family.”

Lawrence read some of Childress’ three-year stats and achievements prior to the signing that included 83 complete games, 852 strikeouts and a 1.74 ERA. She was also a three-time member of the All-Area, All-state and All-metro teams and was named the 2016 Clanton Advertiser Player of the Year.

“Pitching is such a mental game, and she does a good job of playing to her strengths,” Lawrence said. “She’s been around the game for so long, that she just knows without you having to tell her.”

According to Lawrence, the reason she was given the opportunity was due to her work ethic and not the name on the front of her jersey or the size of the school that she attended.

Pitching is a position that develops leaders, and Childress has embraced that role and become someone that players gravitate to.

“She’s just fun to be around and hard to touch when she’s on her game,” Lawrence said.