FAIRHOPE, Ala. – Lady Pirate pitcher Farish Beard signed to play softball for the University of South Alabama on Sunday at Fairhope High.

The 6-foot-and-some-change senior right hander has amassed 71 wins going into her senior season and has been producing 'W's" for FHS since the seventh grade.

Although other offers beckoned, Beard said South Alabama was always No.1 in her college plans.

"The program is just building up to be a great program and is going to be awesome," she said. "I love all the players. Some are friends that I have played with before. I remember playing against Haley Hopkins (of Gulf Shores High). She is the first home run I have ever given up and she definitely knows that."

She will also be joining former Fairhope star and teammate Stephanie Dunaway who also signed with the Jaguars. Beard said staying close to home was a big factor in her decision.

"I loved where it's located," she said. "It is far enough from home where I can be away, but also close enough. It's very exciting and it's a really big honor. I've always wanted to go to South so it is a dream come true."

Beard went 25-9 last year with a 0.680 ERA and helped the Lady Pirates advance to the state tournament where they finished 42-16 overall. In the spring she will get to add to her 1,141 career strike outs and her 23 no hitters.

Beard said she fell in love with the game itself at such an early age, she can't remember how old she was, but soon after T-ball she discovered pitching and made that her focus.

"You get thrown into it and you fall in love with it," she said. "I loved softball, loved pitching and loved being the center of attention and the one to strike people out. I love the pressure. I love having the pressure put on me."

Fairhope coach Jonathan Heflin said Beard was blessed with both a dominating arm and an indomitable heart.

"All you have to do is watch her pick up the ball and step into the circle and it is obvious she is a very talented young lady," He said. "She has a great build for a pitcher, looking at the science of softball. Her long legs and long arms give her a really good push off the pitching rubber and nice arm action to get a lot of movement on the ball.

"On top of that is her work ethic. She works tremendously hard during the season and the off-season with personal trainers and just in our weight training class at school. She gets in extra bullpen sessions after practice and I think that is what makes the difference between someone who is a good player and someone who is an elite player. She definitely puts in extra time and work to elevate her game to the next level."

Heflin said the fast-pitch program at Fairhope keeps getting stronger and scholarships to Division I schools is important to the team and community.

"It is really, really exciting for our program considering where we started not too long ago," He said. "Now we have two girls in three years (with) Stephanie Dunaway and now Farish. For them to go on and have the options they have is just phenomenal and it's extremely exciting as a coach to see these girls reach these goals. Farish has worked hard and I am thrilled because she has worked long and hard to get there."

Beard thanked many, but especially her parents, for helping her reach Division I.

"They have pushed me when sometimes I said no," she said. "They helped me through a lot. Couldn't have done it with out them. My mom and my dad and my step mom and dad have always all been there and been great."

She is the daughter of Anthony Beard and Suzette Drinkard and stepdaughter of Chip Drinkard and Melanie Beard all of Fairhope.

Undeclared on a collegiate major so far, Beard said getting the college decision out of the way felt good and now getting back to the state tournament is job No. 1.

"We didn't lose anybody (to graduation) last year, so we're only going to get better. Not settling for less." she said. "Only better."