by Josh Prewitt for the FCT

Tharptown High School softball catcher and infielder Autumn Sutter’s prayers were answered last week as she signed a full ride scholarship to attend and play softball her next two years at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, Tenn.

“I can’t even begin to put in words how blessed and thankful I am for this opportunity,” Sutter said. “When I went to try out, the coach really wasn’t looking for a catcher. He wanted pitchers, but my high school and travel ball head coach Susie Sellers insisted that he look at me since I can play infield too. After I tried out he told me he really wanted me but that he only had one scholarship left to offer. My heart sank.

After about a week passed, Sutter’s phone rang.

“I thought, who in the world would be calling me from Memphis, Tennessee?” Sutter said. “And then it hit me. I answered, and sure enough, Coach (Keith) Gentry was offering me a full ride to Southwest Tennessee. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.”

Gentry said he’s very excited about Sutter coming to play for him. “Seeing her play, I knew she would be great for us. She’s got talent and can still learn a lot,” Gentry said. “She’s a great girl and is very determined to accomplish what she wants, and I really like that about her. I made a great choice in her, and I’m happy she decided to sign with us.”

Some might say, with this scholarship, Sutter’s hard work and dedication to this game has paid off, but she also gave the credit to others.

“First and foremost I have to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the ability to play softball, (and) my family has been a huge part in my career, especially my dad,” Sutter said. “I’ve made so many friends and memories with this game. This is every little girl’s dream when they first start playing, and I’m so thankful I get to live my dream.”

When she steps out on that field, she’s another person, Sellers said.

“I’m so happy for her and couldn’t be happier with her signing today and moving on to the next chapter in her life. She’s going to do great for Southwest Tennessee Community College, and I can’t wait to see what she does,” Sellers said.

Sutter’s foray into softball came when she was 9 and her mother had just passed away with cancer, dad Wayne Sutter said.

“We were both looking for something to keep our minds off of it and something to keep us busy –something we could do together,” Wayne said. “One day she comes in with a softball registration form, asking me if she could play and if I would teach her and coach her. I knew that this game was the thing we both needed.”

Wayne said he is “so proud of her and where she came from. I love her to death. I’m her biggest fan, and she’s my biggest fan.”

“My biggest supporter and role model, who has been by my side through everything, has to be my dad,” Autumn said. “He has never missed a single game since I started when I was 10. He knew my love for the game and stuck by my side through this whole journey, and I know he will continue to stand by me.”