Jada Hayes, front left, and Taylor Wascavage, front right, sign letters of intent to play college softball at UAH. They are surrounded by, from left, Jeremy and Dede Hayes, John Michael and Tanya Watson, head coach Christy Ferguson, assistant coach Anna Hall and Wayne and Jenni Wascavage. | Brent Maze

The year 2014 has been a special year for Hartselle seniors Jada Hayes and Taylor Wascavage.

The highlight came when the teammates were apart of another Hartselle softball state championship.

Maybe the next biggest highlight came last week during the first day of the early signing period. The two signed letters of intent to play softball at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

“Two of my dreams have come through, and it happened in the same year,” Wascavage said. “I always wanted to win a state championship in softball. We did that in May. The other was to sign a college scholarship, and I did that today.”

Hayes echoed Wascavage’s sentiments.

“I’m excited to get to sign with UAH,” Hayes said. “I liked UAH’s softball facility and it’s close to home.”

Hayes plans to study nursing while Wascavage wants to study biology.

The two didn’t start playing softball until they were 9 years old.

“We weren’t very good,” Hayes said. “But our parents stuck with us.”

“Our parents didn’t give up on us,”Wascavage said. “They pushed us to get better kept coaching us to get better.”

Both seniors have put their names in the state and school record book for career and season statistics.

Wascavage was the leading hitter last year for Hartselle with a .474 batting average with an on base percentage of .533. She had 74 hits, 62 runs, 45 RBI, 15 home runs, two triples, 18 doubles in 57 games played.

Hayes was the leading pitcher last year with 200 strikeouts, an ERA of 1.81 and 1.15 walks and hits per inning pitched. She also was the second leading hitter with .408 including 62 hits, 38 runs, 50 RBI, nine home runs, a triples and 15 doubles in 57 games played.

Wascavage also shares a special bond with her mother – they have both won state championships. Her mom, Jenni, won a state title at Falkville with Hartselle head coach Christy Ferguson when they were both in high school.

“That’s pretty special,” Wascavage said. “Not too many people can say that.”