Samaria Curtis, who led Cass High School in every softball offensive category as a senior, has signed a scholarship to play with Walters State Community College in east Tennessee.

Larry Sauceman, head coach with the junior college, said he expects Curtis to crack his team's starting lineup, either as an infielder or outfielder, in her freshman season.

"We went 40-13 last year, finishing third in the state, and we feel we have a shot to win it with our returnees and the players we have signed," Sauceman said.

The coach said he liked Curtis' drive for the game. "She has some speed, and from watching her play, I could tell how competitive she is. She'll be an asset to our team."

Curtis said she became interested in Walters State last year.

"They saw me play in a tournament over the summer," she said. "They have a really good softball program, and I fell in love with the campus when I visited it."

Chris Allen, her head softball coach at Cass, said Walters State is getting a player who works hard to contribute to her team's chances of winning.

"Samaria is a coach's dream," he said. "She can hit, field and run. When she steps up to the plate, everyone takes notice because they expect something good to happen.

"She was a genuine softball player, and her last two years here she helped other players improve their game. If they were having trouble hitting, she'd suggest another way for them to practice."

He said she was a team leader, helping players to focus on their game and winning.

Allen said Curtis was a starter as a freshman at Cass who became an elite player over the course of the next four years.

"She batted .473 her senior year, which led the team, and stole 35 bases in 36 attempts," he said. "She led the team in every offensive category except number of RBIs while batting in the No. 2 position for us most of the year."

Curtis scored 34 runs for the Lady Colonels, racked up 44 hits, including five triples and two home runs.

"Her slugging percentage was .667 and her on-base percentage was .528, which is just ridiculous," he added.

Curtis said she began playing softball as a child under the tutelage of Greg Hight.

"When you have a good coach -- mine was coach Greg Hight -- you tend to like that sport," she said.

Curtis said her best friends played softball along with her, and as she got better, it became her favorite sport.

"I pretty much grew up with my teammates," she added.

The Cass softball star said she will evaluate her situation in two years and decide if she will pursue her softball career.

She added her intention is to attend a four-year college regardless. "I want to become a teacher. I like kids. My sister Korisha Curtis has twins, and you tend to love kids after watching them grow up in all their stages."

She added Korisha also has a 5-year-old.

Curtis said while she has wrapped up her career at Cass, she will be playing this summer with Little League and travel ball with her friends.

"I'm hoping to get another free trip to Florida," she laughed.