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The Callaway softball team saw one of its seniors sign to the next level on Monday. Catcher/third baseman Karlie Walker made it official, signing to continue her softball career at East Georgia State College.

“I had been emailing a bunch of schools, trying to get my name out there and they actually found me at a tournament I was playing at earlier this year,” Walker said. “They showed pretty intense interest in me and kept checking in with what I had next.”

Walker showed her versatility and commitment to the team above herself this season. For the first three years at Callaway, Walker was the team’s starting catcher. As a senior, Walker split time at third base and catcher to help the team as they struggled to find an answer at that corner infield position.

“I hadn’t really played much third base in games before this year,” she said. “I ended up getting a lot of reps there this year and I think the ability to play more than one position helped get me recruited to the next level.”

A former region defensive player of the year at catcher, Walker transitioned to a new position for the benefit of the team.

Walker’s coachability and ability to adapt will be huge for her at the next level.

“I didn’t know what to expect at first, but I was willing to do whatever it took to help the team win,” Walker said. 

Regardless of where Walker lined up on the diamond, she produced. She had her best offensive showing during her senior season as she set new career highs in hits (21), extra base hits (5), RBIs (12) and runs scored (11). She hit .328 during her final year, just above her career average in red and black. 

With graduation just over a week away, the reality of wrapping her high school career and getting ready for college is beginning to really hit her.

“I’ve done all my stuff for class, so it’s starting to sink in,” Walker said. “I can’t believe how fast these last four years have flown by.”