On Thursday Oct. 17, senior Casey Wade signed with Bethel University to play with the Lady Wildcats softball team in the 2014-2015 season.

Casey is the daughter of Shane and Noreen Wade. Wade has an older sister, Amanda, a 2011 graduate, who pitches at Christian Brothers University in Memphis. Wade has been on the Graves County High School softball team for five years. For the past two years she has been the starting pitcher for the Lady Eagles and also plays first base.

Although she isn’t excited about being away from her parents, she is comforted by the fact that her sister is only a two hour eight minute drive down the road. Wade received offers from other schools like Union University and Trevecca Nazarene University. “I chose Bethel because I really liked the coach,” Wade said.

Wade’s family is fully supporting her in her decision to play at Bethel. “It’s something she’s worked hard at and something we’ve worked hard at as a family, also,” her mother Noreen recently told West Kentucky Star “It’s her decision and I think she’s made a good one.”

Before Wade goes to Bethel, she has to finish out her senior softball season under new head coach Stan Waller. Members of the team say they are very happy for Wade and wish her the best of luck in her future. Bethel softball coach Larry Geraldi also told West Kentucky Star, “Casey is traditionally a pitcher; she also plays first base and hits well. We look forward to her feeling our needs.”