Morgans Get Softball Scholarships
It was a good week for two Morgans in Monticello as Morgan Tillman of Piedmont Academy and Morgan Studdard of Jasper County High School accepted scholarships to play collegiate level softball.
Piedmont senior Morgan Tillman accepted a softball scholarship Monday from Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. JCHS Senior Morgan Studdard signed a letter of intent to play softball at Gordon College in Barnesville last Friday morning.
Family members, friends, faculty and teammates were in attendance at each event as signees inked their letters of intent.
During the Tillman signing Coach Wes Tanner opened the signing ceremony with prayer and Coach Daniel Funt gave to the crowd background information on Tillman’s softball career for the Lady Cougars.
In 2014, Tillman earned All-State, All-Region and was named to The Macon Telegraph’s All-Middle Georgia team. As a four-year letterman, she played in 82 high school team wins, three final four appearances, and numerous championships on her travel softball teams.
“She was a tremendous leader in the outfield,” Funt said.
Besides sports, she is a member of the school’s FFA, FCA, National Honor Society and Beta Club chapters. She is also an active member of her church group and enjoys helping with various community projects.
“Morgan has earned this scholarship through hard work and dedication in everything she does,” her coach said. “She is a prime example of the benefits of strength and conditioning and has improved her skills every year. I have had the opportunity to coach Morgan since the sixth grade. GMC is lucky to have her and her Piedmont Academy family is extremely proud of her many accomplishments.”
After signing her contract, Tillman spoke to the crowd.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my parents for all they have done for me, for sending me to such a wonderful school, and sacrificing so many things just so I would be able to play the sport I love,” she said. “I also would like to express my sincere gratitude to my coaches who have helped me accomplish this honor. I have learned many things about softball and everyday life in general. They taught me how to give 110% and always be the best that I can be. They believed great things would come from my hard work even when I doubted myself at times. I am truly blessed to have coaches that care so much about me and my future.
She added: “I would also like to thank GMC’s Coaches Wise and Mayhue for taking the time to recognize me and giving me this chance. Finally, I want to thank my teammates. Without ‘my girls’ there to encourage me, pick me up, and push me to play as hard as I could, I would not be the player that I am today. My teammates have impacted my life in a way words cannot describe.”
Morgan is the daughter of Tom and Nita Tillman of Monticello.
JCHS Senior Studdard was flanked by her parents, Phyllis Studdard and Stan Studdard. during her signing Friday. They were joined by her longtime Hurricane Softball Coach Chris Jenkins and Athletic Director Doug Huff.
In signing Studdard became the ninth Lady Cane, in the past seven years, to continue her playing career in college.
Studdard played third base and pitched for the Lady Canes on the softball field. She was an integral part of teams that earned two Region Championships and three state playoff appearances.
Studdard was selected to the 4-AA All Region team for three years and was the team’s Academic Award winner, awarded to the player with the highest academic average, for two consecutive years.
“Morgan was a four-year starter for us, and has been one of the most consistent offensive players to come through the program. She has an outstanding work ethic and will contribute right away at Gordon.”
Throughout Studdard’s ball career, she has played travel ball for GA Mustangs, GA Select, and Worth Cobras. She is currently playing for GAP Gold 18U from Fayetteville. She has also competed in several USFA World Series, college showcase tournaments, and ASA Nationals. Her most memorable moment was playing at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, Oklahoma City, which hosts the NCAA Women’s College World Series.
