One of the top high school softball players in Southwest Virginia has switched schools.
Chelsey Cardwell has transferred from Northwood and enrolled at Virginia High, a move confirmed by both a family member and VHS athletic director/softball coach Barry Reed.
It will have a major impact on the local softball scene come spring.
The senior doubled as a star pitcher and hitter during the first three seasons of her prep career - compiling a 37-17 record with 522 strikeouts in the circle during her stint in Saltville. Also an infielder, she was one of the top hitters in the Hogoheegee District. She ended the 2011 season with a .350 batting average, and as a sophomore in 2010, hit .547 and drove in 21 runs.
Cardwell twice helped the Panthers reach the semifinals of the Region C tournament.
She joins a VHS team that rode a 19-6 record last season to the Group A, Division 2 finals. The Bearcats were beaten by James River, 2-1, in the title game on the campus of Radford University last June.
Virginia High claimed the Clinch Mountain District and Region D titles as well during a memorable 2011campaign.
The Bearcats will return ace pitcher Megan Thompson, catcher and King College signee Hannah Smith and third baseman Kelsey Nave.
Throw in Cardwell with that returning nucleus and the Bearcats could be among the favorites to claim the VHSL Group A, Division 2 crown.
thayes@bristolnews.com | Twitter:@Hayes_BHCSports | (276) 645-2570
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