13-year-old commits to play for Lady Vols

MURFREESBORO – Caitlyn McCrary is an ordinary Oakland Middle eighth-grader with an extraordinary opportunity.

McCrary, 13, already has made her college softball commitment. She was the University of Tennessee's first pledge for the Class of 2019.

"There were other big schools that were interested in me," McCrary said. "I just really wanted to go to Tennessee.

"I was super excited when I committed, but after I committed it was over. I have to wait five years to sign. But I'm still looking forward to it. It's super rare."

The Website goldfastpitch.com currently lists 11 college commitments for the Class of 2019, including McCrary.

McCrary committed on Jan. 9.

King's Academy eighth-grader Madison Webber, a first baseman, also recently committed to the Lady Vols. King's Academy is located in Knoxville.

Commitments are non-binding for the athlete and the school. McCrary cannot sign until the November signing period in 2018. She said Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State also had shown interest in her.

McCrary, a third baseman, said she wasn't concerned with the Lady Vols going back on their word when it is time to sign. She was told by Tennessee co-coach Ralph Weekly that he doesn't go back on his word to his commitments.

Tennessee coaches are not permitted to talk to the media about commitments per NCAA rules.

McCrary has played softball since she was 6 playing in the Stones River Kiwanis league. Her dad Johnny McCrary was one of her coaches.

"He's had a really big part in making me the player I am today," she said. "It's going to the backyard after going home from school.

"We practice for two hours, then he makes me go do my homework."

Johnny McCrary said his daughter's dedication to the sport goes beyond that. She'll do different exercises during commercial breaks when she is watching TV.

But he also knows when it's time to take a break.

"The burned out thing, if a girl is having a birthday party and I have a practice, I'm not saying skip it every time, but I definitely would want to go to the birthday party," Caitlyn said. "You have to have a break some times. There is a balance.

"And my dad understands that."

Caitlyn already has hit seven home runs this season for the undefeated Lady Chargers in a handful of at bats. The team has been so good this season it rarely plays a complete game.

"They try to keep it away from me," she said of her at bats. "But I have enough patience to wait on it."

McCrary acknowledged that Tennessee's interest in her stemmed from her hitting.

"I'm good at defense," McCrary said. "But my bat is what people really come to watch. I hit pretty good.

"That's what I'm good at."

Of her seven homers, two came in a 20-13 win over Rockvale this season.

She hit .515 with nine homers during her 2013-14 travel season. She's played on multiple travel teams, including the Team Worth 2001 coached by Murfreesboro resident Roger Sargent. She's also played for the Franklin Flames and will play for the Birmingham Thunderbolts after the Oakland's season is completed.

Caitlyn McCrary said she was thankful for several of her former coaches including her dad, Sparks Elite coach Slade Stewart, Birmingham Thunderbolts coach Keith Dorsett, hitting coach Angela Sullivan and Sargent.

Johnny McCrary said his family has remained very humble through the recruiting process.

"We know she is playing with a lot of girls that are going to be playing in college with her," said the Oakland High graduate and former Patriot football player. "All parents are working to try and get their daughter an opportunity to play in college.

"We're just the first one in our group. We know we'll see all of those girls. That's what is amazing. It just happened for her first."

Caitlyn McCrary

Age: 13.

Committed to play softball at the University of Tennessee for the Class of 2019 on Jan. 9.

Stats: McCrary has hit seven home runs for Oakland Middle this season.

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.