Decatur's Justice Signs with Catawba

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur standout Alli Justice this week became the latest Seahawk scholar-athlete to earn the opportunity to take her game to the next level, signing a letter of intent to accept and athletic and academic scholarship to play softball and field hockey at Catawba College next year.

Justice's main sport at Decatur was softball, where she grew to be a dominant pitcher on the mound and an equally impressive player at the plate for the Seahawks. She also excelled on the varsity field hockey team at Decatur and is expected to play both sports at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. next year.

While her accomplishments on the playing fields at Decatur garnered her the most attention, her performance in the classroom at the Berlin school was no less impressive. She is ranked ninth out of 343 students in Decatur's senior class.

Justice dominance on the mound for the Seahawk softball team improved in each of her three years thus far. In the 2007 season, she pitched in 20 games, finishing with a 12-4 record and a 2.49 ERA. Justice, who played third base when she wasn't on the mound, was nearly flawless in the field.

Justice was equally impressive at the plate for the Seahawks. In 2007, for example, she collected 28 hits and drove in 23 runs on her way to a .459 batting average and a gaudy .885 slugging percentage. Decatur Athletic Director and Softball Coach Don Howard had nothing but great things to say about his star player.

'Alli is a very dependable, very knowledgeable young lady,' he said. 'She has been an integral part of this program and a leader by example. She has earned this through her hard work and dedication.'