Matt Hamilton/The Daily CitizenDalton High School pitcher Alli Swinford has signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In front, from left, are Jessica Swinford (mother), Alli Swinford and Bobby Swinford (father). In back are Jeff Kraft (pitching coach) and Stacy Parker (Dalton head coach).

DALTON, Ga. — Dalton High School’s Alli Swinford has had to overcome a lot in her softball career, having had to work harder at her craft than many other top pitchers who are blessed with greater size.

Despite that, the 5-foot-4 Swinford celebrated a noteworthy achievement on Friday, the signing of a scholarship to become a NCAA Division I athlete.

The Daily Citizen’s two-time All-Area Player of the Year actually signed her National Letter of Intent to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga during the national signing period in December. But Friday she got to enjoy the experience with her family and friends at a signing party at Dalton High School.

“It’s so surreal,” Swinford said. “I never thought I would be signing with a D1 school. I’ve been blessed with my athletic abilities and with great parents and coaches who have guided me this far.”

Swinford was one of the best pitchers in the state in 2016 as she pitched 192 innings with a 1.12 earned run average and 185 strikeouts. She racked up 21 wins and received numerous accolades, including being a first team All-State selection by the Georgia Dugout Club and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association.

As she looked to her future, Swinford’s choice was easy, she said. She considered other schools and began the process for a possible appointment to West Point, but in the end UTC won her over because of comfort and familiarity.

“The campus is so beautiful, everything about (the school) stood out to me,” Swinford said. “I really liked the coaches and I know they will continue to push me farther than even I think I can go. I just felt at home when I got there.”

For Dalton coach Stacy Parker, Swinford’s signing had special significance.

“It means a lot to me, she is my first Division I player that’s signed,” Parker said. “I’ve had a couple other girls go play college ball, but Division I is a different level. I think she will go to UTC and do a great gob. Coach (Frank) Reed likes her and there is no doubt if she keeps her work ethic, I think she can have a lot of success.”

Reed, UTC’s head coach, said he first started noticing Swinford in the summer before her senior season. But as can often happen with recruiting, Swinford fell off his radar for a while.

It wasn’t until late in the high school season that he found out she was still interested and he took another look and was impressed.

“We had a chance to watch her in the state tournament and she pitched really well down there,” Reed said. “We liked her enthusiasm on the mound and liked her leadership. She’s a type of kid that really wants to win and will give you everything she has.”

Reed said he wasn’t turned away by Swinford’s diminutive stature, saying she is the same size as a pitcher who for two years sprinkled her name throughout the Chattanooga record book. Lacey Swarthout ranks third in program history in both wins and earned run average.

“Don’t let size fool you, Lacey was one of the best pitchers in our school and Alli is about her size,” Reed said. “She reminded me a lot of Lacey with her determination to win. You can teach skills and fundamentals, but you can’t teach that mental part of the game. And Alli has really good movement and command on the ball, which you have to have at our level to have success.”

Pitching will remain her focus but Swinford isn’t quite ready to give up on being a two-way player.

“I am going to fight to be in the batting lineup,” Swinford said. “I really want to hit and I think if I work hard enough I might get that spot.”

While she will no longer be pitching for the Lady Catamounts, Swinford expressed relief that her new school is just 30 minutes up the road from her Cat family. She might even try to sneak down to see them play from time to time.

“I definitely wanted to be close enough to come and watch them play,” Swinford said. “I’ve been through so much (with the team). This is my home and I will be sad to go.”