Hartselle’s Hope Cain signed a grant-in-aid to play softball for the University of Mobile on November. 4. Seated with her are her parents, Greg and Cindy Cain, and sister, Grace Cain. Standing, from left, are U of M head softball coach Terri McCormick. HHS head softball coach Christy Ferguson and HHS assistant softball coach Anna Hall. | Special to the Enquirer

Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

Hartselle High School softball pitcher/first baseman Hope Cain signed a grant-in-aid to play softball for the University of Mobile following her senior season as a Lady Tiger.

A reception was given in her honor in the school cafeteria November 4 with family members, coaches, teammates, senior athletes from other sports and friends in attendance.

Cain said playing fast pitch softball at the college level is a dream come true.

“I remember when I was six years old I wrote on a mirror that I wanted to play softball at college,” she said.

The three-year varsity starter said she was drawn to the University of Mobile because of a strong Christian atmosphere.

“When I visited the campus they talked a lot about mission trips and the close relationship they had with God,” she pointed out. .

Cain has played a key role in the Lady Tigers success for the past two years. In 2015, she compiled a 19-4 record with a 1.050 ERA and batted .338. She had an 18-7 won-loss record with a .977 ERA and hit .327 as a sophomore.

As a senior, Cain said she wants to be a good leader and help make the season an enjoyable experience for her teammates.

She plans to enroll at U of M next August where she will major in pre-pharmacy before enrolling in the School of Pharmacy at Auburn University.

“I like her because she is a gritty kid,” said U of M head coach Terri McCormick.” We look at the total package in recruiting and Hope is a good fit for us,”

She said she would sign six freshmen for the 2016 freshmen class.

The U of M Rams have earned a reputation of being a national title contender since 1994. They won an NAIA national championship in 2006 and finished as the runner-up champions two years later. In 2015, they made the final eight nationally and finished sixth.

Hartselle head coach Christy Ferguson complimented Cain for the contributions she has made to the Lady Tigers over the past two years.

“She has a great work ethic, is very easy to coach and is a good teammate. She is what we look for in an athlete that excels in her sport as well as in the classroom.

She is an example of what can be accomplished through dedication and hard work,” she added. “We talk about winning the blue trophy and playing at the college level all the time.”

Cain received all-state and all-tournament  awards in 2014 and was selected to play for the North-South all-state softball games last July. She has also earned state and national honors as a travel team player.