Crissa Spry is excited to know she'll be playing softball after high school.
Spry -- a senior pitcher for Siloam Springs -- signed a letter of intent to play softball for Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College on Wednesday at Panther Activity Center.
Her senior softball season is still several months away, but Spry said cementing her academic and softball future was a huge weight off her shoulders.
"That's a huge relief," Spry said. "It's amazing to go out there and be able to play and know that your hard work has paid off."
Spry led the Lady Panthers softball team to their most successful season in recent memory in 2016 with a 16-11 record and appearance in the Class 6A state tournament.
And she did it with her arm and her bat.
Serving as Siloam Springs' primary starting pitcher in the circle, Spry had a record of 15-8 and 2.09 ERA in 140.2 innings.
At the plate, she hit .434 (36 for 83) with a team-high six home runs and 29 RBIs.
She was named All-State in Class 6A and a member of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's All-Area Softball Second Team.
Siloam Springs head coach Scott Wright took over the softball program when Spry was a freshman in the spring of 2014. She played all over the field as a freshman before ending the season as the primary pitcher, where she's been ever since.
"It's been fun getting to coach Crissa and to see the growth from then until now," Wright said. "She's obviously very talented. I think the sky's the limit for her."
Spry could be asked to do a number of things at the college level, Wright said.
"They (Coffeyville) may look at her at all positions," Wright said. "Obviously they want her for her speed and overall athleticism. She can hit and she can pitch too."
Spry will once again play a large part in the Lady Panthers' fortunes.
"Obviously she'll be the centerpiece to our team on the mound and at the plate," Wright said.
Sports on 11/13/2016