Olivia Ferguson, Cave Spring Senior signs with Francis Marion University to play softball. Emily Flora SWoCo

Olivia Ferguson, 17, and a senior at Cave Spring High School committed to playing softball at Francis Marion on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. She signed a letter of intent after participating in tryout for the team in South Carolina.

Ferguson, quite excited about her decision has played softball for nine years and plays of the Lady Knights Softball Team as a catcher and outfielder.

“I wanted to play at UVA but then I visited Francis Marion in September and I really liked the school and the coach and thought it was the best choice for me,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said she used to play basketball at Cave Spring but decided to give it up to focus mainly on softball.

“I actually really like the mental aspect of the game. You have really think about it. It’s really mental and some people don’t like that but I do- and the teammates and the comraderie,” she said.

Ferguson received an offer from Queens College before she heard back from Francis Marion, but she knew her heart was at Francis Marion. About three weeks ago Francis Marion made her an offer and she accepted.

“I knew I wanted to play softball in college probably when I was in the middle school,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to play softball in college so this is a good relief. I’m really excited about it.”

According to Cave Spring softball head coach, Lindsey Moore, Ferguson was First Team All-District, First Team All-Region, First Team All-State, and Cave Spring’s Offensive Player of the Year for softball.

“We are going to miss her tremendously,” Coach Moore said. “And we are expecting a good senior year from her.”

Throughout her softball career, Ferguson admits she has had some challenges, mostly with hitting.

“There are so many little things that can mess up your swing,” she said.

And Ferguson’s parents were just about as excited as she was when they found out.

“My parents were ecstatic and so were the coaches at Cave Spring. All the money they put into it finally paid off,” she said.

Her dad Ross Ferguson said, “It made those $300 bats not hurt so badly. I was so proud of her. We’ve been planning for this since she was 8-years-old. Francis Marion just connected.”

Her mother, Candis Jones said, “At first I was kind of blow away. But I am so excited for her. She had done a lot of work, we’d done a lot traveling- it was a real releif and we are so happy for her.”

Ferguson plans to study Biochemistry at Francis Marion or major in Pre-Med. And with a 3.76 current G.P.A. she will be able to do it.

“Right now I want to be a heart surgeon, but I’d also like to coach. So I’m not positive,” she said.

OTHER RECENT CAVE SPRING COVERAGE
* Nov. 10: Photos of Cave Spring cheerleaders at state competition
* Nov. 10: Photos from the Cave Spring — Hidden Valley football game
* Nov. 6: Mid-Knight Madness to be held Nov. 14.
* Nov. 5: Cave Spring choirs to perform Dec. 2
* Nov. 4: Photos of Cave Spring cheerleaders in regional competition
* Nov. 3: More photos of Cave Spring cheerleaders in regional competition
* Nov. 1: More Cave Spring homecoming photos
* Oct. 31: Cave Spring teams join Hidden Valley to support Coach King
* Oct. 31: Photos from Cave Spring junior varsity football vs. Salem
* Oct. 28: Order fruit online through the Cave Spring band boosters
* Oct. 27: Cave Spring cheerleaders take second place in competition
* Photos from the Cave Spring homecoming dance
* Photos from the Cave Spring homecoming game