One of the DeKalb County High School Tigerettes Softball players will continue her softball career after signing with Tennessee Wesleyan College last Monday afternoon. After her time with the Tigerettes, Chelsey Brannon will join the Bulldogs at Wesleyan.
Tennessee Wesleyan is located in Athens, TN, and Bulldogs Head Coach Toby Brooks told the Review that he is excited to get a player like Brannon. "We got to come over and see her play quite a few times, and had her over for a visit. She seems to be a great kid, and a great fit and we’re really excited to be getting her as an addition to our team."
Brooks said that Wesleyan is a member of the Appalachian Athletics Conference and that Brannon will be a needed addition. "We’re going to be a very young team next year. We had a big graduating class, and we’ve got a lot of new kids playing. I really feel like Chelsey can come in, fit in that mix, and contribute early on."
Brooks said that Brannon will most likely play the same position she plays now, left field, and Tigerettes Head Coach Danny Bond said Brooks is getting a great player and student. "Chelsey is very deserving. She’s a good student in school, a good citizen, a good person, and I feel like Tennessee Wesleyan is gaining a positive person toward their program."
Bond continued, "She batted fourth for us and played left field for us this year. She came on last year as a player toward the end of the year and started hitting the ball real good. She’s got an on-base percentage of 585, and her batting average at this point is 377. She’s driven in a lot of RBIs, she’s got 37, and she leads the team at drawing walks with 22. She’s got a good eye at the plate."
"She’s made some fantastic plays for us in the outfield. When the games on the line, she’s a clutch player that drives in runs when we have to have them and makes big defensive plays."
Brannon told the Review that’s she’s excited to play for the Bulldogs, but her choice to continue with softball was a last minute decision. "I’m really excited, thankful and ready to play. I’m glad that I’ve been a part of this team [Tigerettes], and that we’ve come this far."
"Coach Fish recommended Wesleyan," Brannon explained. "At first I didn’t want to play softball for college. Then, at the last minute, I thought ‘maybe I don’t want to quit.’ Coach Fish said it was a good school and he thought it would be a great fit for me. So, we went down for a visit, and I loved it.  I fell in love with it."
Amanda Brannon, Chelsey’s mother said that she’s excited as well. "I’m ecstatic. This is more than we could have ever imagined. I’m just so very thankful that it’s all come together at the end and her hard work has paid off."
When asked about the Tigerettes’ upcoming appearance at the State Tournament, Chelsey said, "I think we’re all ready mentally and physically. We’ve practiced so long and so hard and I think it’s paid off."