Stinger News

Softball

FDTC Lands Softball Standout

Fast-pitch softball may still be a relatively new sport at Screven County High School, but it seems to have caught on real quick.

The SCHS softball program has made itself a regular in postseason play and that, in turn, has advanced its players on to play at the next level.

Courtney Burns became the latest Lady Gamecock to sign a letter of intent to play college softball. The current SCHS honor roll senior will move on to two-year institution Florence Darlington Tech in South Carolina -- about a three-hour drive from Sylvania.

Projected as a possible starter at third base, Burns plans to major in nursing, a strong academic program Florence Darlington Tech.

With her parents in attendance March 16, Burns put her name on the dotted line.

Last year several of Burns' teammates inked with college programs.

Marla Thompson is at Georgia Southern University. Sydnee Weaver is at Young Harris College. Tiffanie Burns -- Courtney Burns' first cousin -- and Rochelle Shuman are at North Georgia State & University.

Burns is four-sport letter winner. She has a total of 11 letters -- four in both softball and basketball, two in track, and one in soccer.

She is a four-year starter in softball --three years at third base and one in outfield. She was injured her freshman year and missed more than half of the season. 

Her career batting average is .321 (93-290). She has scored 84 runs and driven in 76 and was 45-for-52 in stolen bases.

Last season Burns hit .370 and led team with 26 RBI.

The Lady Gamecocks won 88 games during Burns' four softball seasons.

She is a three-year starter in basketball. Burns finished with an average of 7.1 points per game (666 points) and 7.2 rebounds per game (670 rebounds). She was second on the team in scoring this past season (13.5) and the team leader in rebounds (9.4). She also had 71 steals.

Burns went to state in middle distance running for the 2010 SCHS track team. She was a sweeper in soccer a year ago after having never played the sport before.

Burns' new college coach Heber J. Watson said Burns went on a recruiting trip and he invited her out to the college for a tryout. She did well as she hit a couple home runs during the workout.

Watson said he was pleased, but also surprised that Burns would come to his two-year school. Burns, he said, has the talent to play at larger programs.

"She is a good athlete and a 4.0 student," Watson said. "I believe she can adjust to the speed of the ball and the movement."

Burns said she has plans to play at Florence Darlington and move on to a larger school.

SCHS softball coach Billy Pollock said the signing of Burns is "very well deserved for this student-athlete."

"Coach Pollock is the best and I am his 'favorite,'" Burns said with a big smile of her high school coach who now instructed multiple players who have advanced on to the college level.

"I am very proud and this is a blessing," said Courtney's mother Lorie Burns. "A good foundation and prayers brought us to this point."

With her parents Lorie and Chuck Burns, SCHS principal Brett Warren and SCHS softball coach Billy Pollock watching, Courtney Burns signs with Florence Darlington Tech.