Opp’s Beth Anne Spurlin adjusts her sun glasses under her helmet, digs in the batter’s box and waits for her pitch.

Thwack!

Spurlin, also known as “BA,” will close a chapter of her life as she graduates tomorrow night with the rest of her senior class at OHS, before opening the next.

The Opp native will play softball at LBWCC for the Lady Saints next season on a two-year scholarship, which she signed recently.

Spurlin started all four years for the Lady Bobcats, and she said the most memorable moment came this year when OHS beat Geneva three times.

“The first time we beat Geneva in Ariton — that put us on a high,” she said. “Them and Andalusia have always been our biggest rivals. Beating them the first time put us at a level we’ve never been on.”

For the Lady Bobcats this year, Spurlin finished with a .342 batting average this season. She used to play at third base, but OHS coach Jimmy Reeves moved her to first base on defense.

“It’s my favorite position now,” Spurlin said. “I’ve been there for two to three years.”

Spurlin’s scholarship at LBWCC includes full tuition and books for the next two years. She said she doesn’t really know what she’ll major in, but as of right now, it’s dentistry.

Reeves came into the OHS softball program in the middle of Spurlin’s career on the team.

Spurlin said she is thankful for what Reeves has done to help mold her to be the softball player she is now.

“He’s always been a good motivator, and he has fun with us,” she said. “He knows how to talk to girls, and get us prepared.

“He’s taught the team and myself so much,” she said. “We just soaked up a lot of stuff we didn’t know.”

Additionally, Spurlin said she’s honored to be able to play at the “next level.”

“Kourtnee Bradley and me are the only two this year from the team to be able to do that,” she said about playing in college. “It felt pretty good for us to be the first ones to do that.”

Spurlin is the daughter of Sharon and Skipper “Skip” Spurlin of Opp.