Posted on November 19, 2015.
By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Cali Overbeck, Sami Jo Schulz and Jodie Duncan make some room for Sam Scott. On National Signing Day 2015, Scott was joined by family and friends to ink her letter of intent to The University of Tennessee at Martin. With that signature, Scott became the latest in legendary Head Coach Glenn Goulder’s Munford Lady Cougar Softball program to sign a Division I scholarship. Prior to Scott’s accomplishment, Overbeck was the first heading to Ole Miss. Then came Schulz’s signing to Memphis and Duncan heading to UT-Martin. After suitors like Bradley and Murray State came calling, Scott made her decision to become the next Skyhawk. “Once you sit down and prayed about it and think about it, there was no question,” Scott said. “I committed three days later.” Scott was overwhelmed with UT-Martin after an unofficial visit a few months ago. Once she did her research and built a relationship with some in the program, she wanted the Skyhawks. The Skyhawks wanted Scott after she compiled a solid resume’ during her time with the Lady Cougars. But even before she tossed her first varsity pitch for Munford, Scott has impressive credentials. Her journey toward a scholarship with the Lady Skyhawks started with her playing softball at the age of 9 in the Atoka Dixie Youth league. Scott’s softball career started with winning three USSAA World Series, two Arkansas state championships in travel ball and the 14-under Gold Nationals. Then it was time to play for the Lady Cougars. Scott has helped Munford reach three Sub-States and two Class 3A State Tournaments. She was named All-District 13-3A each season and has multiple All-Tournament awards. She was named District 13-3A Tournament MVP as a sophomore. “Going to State I had incredible leadership my freshman and sophomore years,” Scott recalled. “Even my junior year, although we didn’t go back to State, we finished really well in the district and Region tournaments. “I learned a lot from all the girls older and younger than me,” she continued. “There’s a lot of teamwork that goes into this. As much work as I put in, they put in that much work for me.” Now Scott is the senior leader for the Lady Cougars. She’s prepared to make the newcomers feel a part of the team and put in 100 percent on the field whether she’s pitching or playing infield. Scott said she wants her teammates to be able to come talk to her and learn from her experiences. She wants to be able to help in the process of grooming the next Division I signee from Munford.
“It feels like all the hard work paid off,” Scott said of her signing. “All the years of practice, late nights and workouts, it was all worth it now. It has all been great.”
