By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Tori Caldwell signed to play softball at Newberry College as she sits next to her parents Cody and Neva Caldwell. Standing behind her are Coach Louie Alexander, Principal Ray Cooper, Head Softball Coach Jared Jones, Head Coach of the Jets Kimberly Braxton, Jets Coach Kayla Braxton and Jets Coach Robert Braxton.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_DSC_0209.jpgTori Caldwell signed to play softball at Newberry College as she sits next to her parents Cody and Neva Caldwell. Standing behind her are Coach Louie Alexander, Principal Ray Cooper, Head Softball Coach Jared Jones, Head Coach of the Jets Kimberly Braxton, Jets Coach Kayla Braxton and Jets Coach Robert Braxton. Carson Lambert | The Newberry Observer

PROSPERITY — Mid-Carolina High School senior Tori Caldwell has signed a letter of commitment to play softball at Newberry College. Caldwell verbally committed to play at Newberry College in July.

“Newberry College is close to home. I have always wanted to go there. I just like everything about it,” Caldwell said. “I met the coaches at Newberry College, and they seem very welcoming and excited for me to be a part of the team.”

Caldwell has been playing softball since she was 3-years-old, starting with tee-ball. She started playing for Mid-Carolina in the seventh grade where she played second and outfield. During her time playing softball she has earned a 430 bating average.

Jared Jones, her head softball coach, said he has worked with Caldwell for six years and is proud that she is going to Newberry College.

“I went to Newberry College, and I am proud she will be in the community to play. She has always been one of the upper players, always at the top,” he said. “I told her to work hard and she would have a chance to make it. She put in a lot of time during and after practice to do it. She would always ask me to stay after to help her, I never had to ask her.”

Caldwell also participated on a travel team, called the South Carolina Jets, which also helped her skills in the sport. Cody Caldwell, Tori’s father, said his daughter has played other sports like volleyball and basketball, but softball has always been her favorite.

“Honestly, I never though she would have an opportunity to play at college, but she worked hard. I am the proudest parent in the world,” Cody Caldwell said. “She has had good coaches at Mid-Carolina and SC Jets.”

When it comes to attending Newberry College, Neva Caldwell, Tori’s mother, said her daughter wanted to go to Newberry College before softball became a factor. Tori Caldwell said that while at Newberry College she will be a nursing major.

“My mom works at a hospital. She would take me with her some days, and I would enjoy following the doctors and seeing what they did,” she said.

Neva Caldwell said her daughter has always wanted to do something in the medical field, so she suggested nursing.

“I knew in nursing she could have lots of options, I felt like there were a lot of open doors in nursing,” she said.

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.