The Weaver family, from left, Thomas, Michael, Ellen, and Ann.

Salem High School pitcher, Ellen Weaver will make it official and sign her National Letter of Intent (NLI) this Thursday to play softball in the SEC for the University of Kentucky next fall. The signing will take place at Salem High School on Thursday November 12th, 2009 at 2:30 PM.Ellen, a senior, in Salem, Virginia led the Spartans to back to back River Ridge District titles (2008, 2009) and the 2008 VHSL State Tournament for the first time since 1991. She also led the River Ridge District in Strikeouts and ERA and was selected as the River Ridge Pitcher of the Year in 2008 and 2009. As a result, Weaver was named Region IV Pitcher of the Year (2008), selected to the Virginia High School Coaches Association All-State Team, and twice named a First Team All-Timesland selection by the Roanoke Times in 2008 and 2009.

Weaver verbally committed to the University of Kentucky last January during her junior year. Weaver choose Kentucky over Virginia Tech, Penn State, UNC, Ole Miss, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Louisville, Pitt, ETSU and several other mid majors like JMU and George Mason. “Last year the SEC was the top rated conference in the country and having an opportunity to compete at that level for a university like Kentucky is a huge opportunity for me,” says Weaver. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing in the toughest conference and against to best competition in the country.”

Ellen and her little brother Thomas Weaver.

In 2009, The Kentucky softball team concluded perhaps the best season in school history as they played in its first ever NCAA Regional. Second year Head Coach Rachel Lawson was responsible for the biggest turn-around in school allure and lead her team into its first NCAA post-season appearance.

Weaver plays summer ball for the Virginia Shamrocks Gold, www.shamrocksoftball.org. The Shamrocks were founded in 1972 and are one of the nation’s elite fast pitch softball organizations. The Team is coached by Head Coach Tommy Orndorff and is one of only two coaches on the east coast to win the ASA Gold National Championship. The Shamrocks play a rigorous national schedule in order to face the best competition and to qualify for the ASA Gold National Tournament in Oklahoma City, OK. Other notable local Shamrock alumni include Virginia Tech All American and USA National Softball Player of the Year Angela Tincher (VT).

Release submitted by Mike Weaver