Emily Taylor officially committed to play softball at Ferrum College on Wednesday, May 2. Taylor plans on studying elementary education or criminal justice, she said. She’s pitched for the Salem Spartans, and now she’ll go on to play for the Ferrum Panthers. Taylor has been playing softball since she was six years old, and pitching since she was nine. Among her varsity awards, last year she was named Pitcher of the Year for the River Ridge District, 1st team district, 1st team All Region, and All State, her mom Linda said.

Best friends Michael Hager and Joey Dishaw also signed to Division III schools on May 2. The two have been friends since first grade and have been playing lacrosse together for as long as they’ve been playing lacrosse, Hager’s mom, Bonnie, said.

Hager will attend the University of Mary Washington where he plans to study marketing.

Dishaw will attend Roanoke College where he plans on studying business and finance.

Hager, a goalie, and Dishaw, a mid-fielder, will most likely face off during next year’s Roanoke College vs. Mary Washington annual scrimmage, Roanoke College coach Dave Sampson said.

-Miranda Beck