ROBERTSDALE – Auburn University-Montgomery softball coach Christina Steiner Wilcoxson came home to sign Robertsdale High School multi-sport athlete Anna Shartzer.

Wilcoxson, a Robertsdale High School graduate and member of the school's first fastpitch softball team, said Shartzer stood out from day one of her recruitment.

“We are starting a new program and needed kids who could fill multiple roles for us in the infield, outfield and pitching, and Anna is one of those girls,” Wilcoxson said. “She has a lot of skills and played on a great travel team against some great talent, so we think she will be ready to step in and make an impact.”

Shartzer has a .418 career batting average with 154 RBIs and 94 stolen bases. She has also played volleyball, basketball and golf while in school at Robertsdale, but will concentrate on softball in college.

The Robertsdale connection between Shartzer and Wilcoxson played a role in Tuesday’s signing.

“Coach Wilcoxson is from here, so we had a small connection there,” Shartzer said. “She knows what it is like to grow up in a small town.”

Wilcoxson said she was glad to sign someone from her home town.

“I always hoped I would be able to come back and do this,” Wilcoxson said. “Robertsdale has a very strong softball tradition. I am proud of what Robertsdale has done, and I look forward to giving more kids from here a shot.”

Shartzer’s mother and father, Steve and Melanie, were on hand for the ceremony. Steve is her softball coach at Robertsdale.

“This is just a great day for Anna, and a great day for her dad as her coach,” Melanie Shartzer said. “And it is a good day for Robertsdale.

“I wish I could have a penny for every pitch I have seen her throw, every pitching lesson she went to, all the summer trips and vacations we missed. Anna has worked very, very hard for this. We are very proud of her today.”

Anna plans to study elementary education in college.