Southwest Tennessee Community College softball coach welcomes Shelby Palmer as she signs to attend the school on a softball scholarship.

By Bart Moss for the FCT

Tharptown High School pitcher Shelby Palmer finally realized her dream last week as she signed a scholarship to continue her education and softball career at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis.

“I am beyond excited,” said Palmer. “My mind was spinning after I got the offer. All I could think of is that all the hard work, sweat and tears had finally paid off.”

Palmer attended a tryout at the school a few weeks ago and was offered a scholarship by Keith Gentry, the Southwest Tennessee coach.

“I was very impressed,” said Gentry. “The most effective pitchers in our league pitch in the mid to upper 50s. Shelby was throwing around 57 miles per hour at our tryout, and she was hitting her spots. She has several different pitches she can go to, and that is key.”

Palmer’s had an impressive run, by anyone’s standards, as a high school pitcher, but she had to prove herself one more time on that day. So, she came up with a simple plan.

“Treat it like just another game,” said Palmer. “I just had to be confident and act as if I was in the middle of a game. That is when I am the most focused. I was nervous at first, but once I got my mind set, I was good to go.”

“Shelby is a good high school pitcher,” said Gentry, whose team went 25-30 last year. “But it’s a lot different and takes a lot of work to be good at the next level. She understands that, and I think she can find her way into our rotation of pitchers with a strong work ethic.”

“She can also be a good hitter with some work,” added Gentry.

Palmer said she is going to take advantage of this opportunity and be ready to go when she reports to campus in mid-August.

“I have to work hard to be in shape when I get to school,” said Palmer.  “I have a job this summer, so I will have to manage my time, but I just have to push myself to get better.”