Dyer signs with YHC
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Lady Panthers catcher Lauren Dyer signs her scholarship, committing to play softball for the Young Harris College Lions.

Lauren Dyer accepted a scholarship from Young Harris College last week, paving the way for her to carry her successful softball career into the collegiate level. Dyer said that while it was very emotional to see her high school career end, she is looking forward to this next chapter in her life.

"When our last game was over I felt like my best friend had died," Dyer said. "I never wanted the season to end. But now I look back on it and I am just so thankful that we went as far as we did and that I am not done playing softball. Softball is such a big part of my life and I am so excited to play at the next level with a new group of girls."

Dyer played softball and basketball all four years of high school, winning numerous honors, including being named to 1st Team All Region in both sports this season. She was an integral part of the Lady Panthers fifth place finish in Georgia's class AA this season. In addition to her big hits, which included three homeruns this season, Dyer was the starting catcher, making many clutch plays behind the plate.

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Back row (L-R): Lady Panthers Head Coach Jessica Stewart, Lauren's parents Dale and Chris Dyer, UCHS Athletic Director Jim Hughes. Front: YHC Softball coach Eric Geldart and Lauren Dyer.

One of the most memorable games was a 1-0 win over Dawson County at home this year. Locked in a scoreless tie, Dyer prevented a Dawson runner from scoring on a play at the plate by blocking the plate and snagging the relay throw to tag out the runner. "I think that was one of the most important moments of the season," Lady Panthers Head Coach Jessica Stewart said. In extra innings Dyer blooped the ball over the infield to score the winning run. She also hit a homerun in the Lady Panthers final game, and singled in the final at-bat of her high school career.

"Lauren was definitely a key in us making it to state," Coach Stewart added. "She was the one that would give us a boost at the end of the game, encouraging everyone. She always wanted to win. I think she'll get even better as she progresses."

Asked what it was that he saw in Dyer that would make her a good fit for YHC, Coach Eric Geldart said that much of it came down to her potential as a hitter. "We're always looking for players that can hit the softball," Coach Geldart said. "[Lauren] attended our camp for two years and we have followed her [career]. We saw some things there that I think she's going to be able to carry over to our level. I thought her batspeed was good. Our problem has always been hitting and hopefully she'll be able to do that. We're pleased to have her as both a student-athlete and a softball player."

Dyer said that she realizes the collegiate level will be a tougher challenge. "College pitchers have more movement and a wider variety of pitches, as well as speed, so I will definitely need to work on being able to hit every pitch."

She hopes to be able to achieve success at YHC both in the classroom and on the field, before moving on to finish school at a four year university. "Young Harris has a great softball and baseball program. The girls that are successful there are able to go on to play at a four year college which is something I hope to do," Dyer said. "They also have very prestigious academics which is important to me. YHC is a good place to transition from high school to a university academically and athletically."

Dyer also pointed out that there are certain perks to getting to stay close to home. "I will still be able to see my sister and my younger friends playing ball and there's that great plus of having Mom wash clothes and get money from Dad," Dyer said jokingly.