GULF SHORES – Gulf Shores senior slugger Kay Kay Grocholl signed on Tuesday to play softball for Pensacola Junior College's Pirates.

Grocholl, who hit .368 with five homers and a .641 slugging percentage and .439 on base percentage last season, said PJC's close-knit, family atmosphere appealed to her.

"It really seemed like a good family atmosphere," Grocholl, who plays first base and third base and has a .387 ERA and 91 strikeouts as a pitcher, said. "I think it will be easy to transition there from high school to college. I like coach (Brenda) Pena and all the girls that I have met."

Grocholl, who started playing softball when she was six, moved to Gulf Shores her sophomore year. She said she was recruited by the Pirates because of her hitting ability.

"Definitely hitting," Grocholl said. "That's what I am. I am a hitter."

Grocholl spent her summers playing softball for coach Dennis Roesle's West Florida Elite team.

"She is the hardest working kid I know," Roesle said.

The Lady Dolphins will start the season on February 15 in Daphne's Mardi Gras tournament. Head coach Karen Collins' team is allowed by the AHSAA to start full practices on Monday.

"Kay Kay's work ethic is just phenomenal," Collins said. "She always does the extra stuff. She does the extra workouts during the year and she always plays extra games with her travel team. I really can't say a negative thing about her because she has never done a negative thing."

PJC head coach Brenda Pena, whose Pirates play in the Panhandle Conference, said Grocholl's attitude is what stuck out in her recruitment.

"The thing I like about Kay Kay the most is the type of young woman she is," Pena said. "She has a tremendous work ethic and she is a great student. I think she will be a great member of our team."