ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — A pair of Golden Bears and best friends Emily Sinclair and Georgia Tuberville signed scholarship papers Wednesday at Robertsdale High. Tuberville inked with the Jeff Davis Community College Warhawks and Sinclair with Northwest Florida State’s Raiders as family, friends and teammates celebrated with them.

“Both of these student-athletes have always been leaders in their community, churches, campus and team,” said Golden Bears softball coach Barry Roberts.

“Both are people of great character, they are scholarly, they are both very loyal teammates and players.”

He added that both earned their scholarships through hard work, dedication, commitment and leadership in the classroom, weight room and on the field.

“(They) have shown great leadership skills even when their role was not so much to lead as it was to be leadable. Anyone who has ever coached knows how important that latter role can be. Now they are seniors and are doing a great job of leading by example and being the players these young people here want to follow.”

Tuberville is a career .325 hitter going into 2017 with 20-of-23 stolen bases to her credit. She will add her fifth varsity letter in the spring having played outfield and middle infield and been a valuable utility player as well as a strong bunter who can also hit for power.

At JDCC, Tuberville will play for coach Misti Nims and join former Golden Bear Sarah Williams on the roster. 2014 RHS grad Paige Desmond finished her sophomore year for the Warhawks last spring.

Sinclair is a three-time all-county selection and will add a sixth varsity letter in her senior season. As a junior she was named to the AHSAA Class 6A all-state as well as coastal all-region teams. She plays catcher and first base with a .996 fielding percentage while posting a .383 batting average. She will join the NWF Raiders team in Niceville, Fla., led by former RHS coach Jack Byerley.

Sinclair thanked Roberts, other coaches, her teammates and especially her parents Tressa and Kevin for her achievements on and off the field.

“Y’all have always been my number-one fans, believed in me no matter what and hauled me around to practices, camps and tournaments. Now you will get to travel from state to state to see me play as a Raider. I don’t know what I would do without y’all.”

Tuberville also thanked Roberts and her teammates for helping her achieve her dream of playing at the next level. She added special thanks to her parents Faith and Tim.

“Mom and Dad, (You) have seen me come home crying from being mad at myself, flat on my back. But you were always there to lift me back up. Thank you for staying on me about my grades, having my back and standing behind me. If it wasn’t for you two, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Both players earned Academic All-American status last year from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and are members of the National Honor Society.

Since Roberts took over the RHS program six seasons ago, the Golden Bears have had 14-of-16 senior players receive scholarship offers via softball with six currently in NCAA D-I, NAIA and JUCO programs.