![Rachel Tavares and family waiting for signing day to start.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f95886_afe065c1c2af4ffb85d8bc05e83f92c7~mv2_d_3000_2250_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/f95886_afe065c1c2af4ffb85d8bc05e83f92c7~mv2_d_3000_2250_s_2.jpg)
Baldwin High Senior and softball athlete Rachel Tavares was flanked by family in the Baldwin High Fine Arts Atrium as she signed her commitment to play on scholarship for the University of South Carolina-Sumter Fire Ants next year!
"I have enjoyed coaching Rachel," said BHS Softball Coach Charlene Dunn. "It is going to be very difficult replacing her as the starting pitcher. She has held this position for three years and has an understanding of the game that many girls do not have. Pitching is not her only asset. She can also run the bases, steal, and hit effectively."
![Tavares and family as she signs to play for USC-Sumter](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f95886_5dd0e0a694284cfbbdae4371a1079c07~mv2_d_3000_2250_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/f95886_5dd0e0a694284cfbbdae4371a1079c07~mv2_d_3000_2250_s_2.jpg)
"In the past three years, she has become more coachable as the years passed. I expect for her to go on to USC Sumter and shine. I want her to do her very best. She will have the support of her family and our coaching staff as well. She has opened a door for other student athlete and that is what I want as we move forward," Coach Dunn added.
Tavares capped off her senior season pitching for the Braves with a 6.4 ERA and 66 strikeouts. She also was able to achieve a .222 batting average earning four stolen bases and five RBI's for the season.