Soddy-Daisy junior Cameren Swafford has made a verbal commitment to play college softball at Tennessee-Chattanooga. Swafford plays catcher for coach Wes Skiles' Lady Trojans and has two seasons of prep ball before turning her attention to the Lady Mocs.
photo by Courtesy Gary Fain
Soddy-Daisy’s Cameren Swafford, preparing for her junior season with the Lady Trojans’ softball team, has made a verbal commitment to play collegiately at Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Swafford, a catcher, closed in on her decision about a month ago, finalized it a week ago and then told UTC coaches she was headed their way.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” Swafford said Friday afternoon. “I was with a group of girls that toured UTC and felt it was the place I really liked.”
UTC has won 14 regular season and 13 Southern Conference tournament titles..
About her decision, Swafford said, "UTC is at home, they have good softball and engineering programs and the coaches are great,”
Soddy-Daisy, coached by Wes Skiles, has been a perennial contender for TSSAA state softball championships – the Lady Trojans have won nine titles, including three straight from 2010-12, and seven dating to 2003 – but were eliminated in the District 5-AAA tournament last spring with losses to Walker Valley and Ooltewah, the eventual tourney champion that went on to finish third at state.
“That hurt a lot,” Swafford said of the early postseason elimination.
“It was very disappointing that a bunch of seniors were leaving and because we all worked so hard. We came down to that last game and it was an awful feeling.”
The Lady Trojans are using last season as motivation for the 2016 season and the outlook, in Swafford’s opinion, is bright.
“We have strong players at every position, strong hitters and our confidence has increased since last season,” she said. “We’ll be ready to play.”
And Swafford won’t have to worry about where she’ll be playing college ball. That decision is behind her.
“It’s a relief,” she said. “Now I can just work hard, keep my grades up and work on my ACT score. I made a 24 when I took it in October without studying. I’m going to take it again in December and this time I’ll study because I want a higher score so I can get as much money as possible with my scholarship.”
Swafford also plays summer ball with the Frost Falcons 99-Duggard, which finished seventh at the 2015 ASA Nationals.
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @larryfleming44)