News

Gillmore signs to play softball at Southwest Baptist

November 15, 2018

A senior at Webb City High School, Gillmore signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to continue her athletic and academic career at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, where she’ll compete for the Bearcats, who are leaving the MIAA after this school year for the Great Lakes Valley Conference. “They have a great community of students and I loved that they were faith-based as well,” Gillmore said. “And I liked the coach (Dalton Kelley). He was super encouraging. I just loved the program. They will not only challenge me in softball, but also in my faith and academically. I think Southwest Baptist is where God wanted me to be the future.” An outfielder, Gillmore was a four-year performer for the Cardinals. “I’m really excited for Renae,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said. “I think she’ll be very successful at the next level. I think SBU will be a good fit.” As a senior center fielder and leadoff hitter, Gillmore led the Cardinals with a .561 batting average and 64 hits, including 13 doubles, three home runs and a triple. She also scored 36 runs and drove in 27 for the Cardinals, who went 18-11-1. “She had a fantastic season,” Friend said. “She’s worked really hard for this, and I’m proud of all of her accomplishments.” The 5-foot-3 Gillmore batted .505, recorded 271 hits, scored 196 runs and drove in 118 runs during her time in a Webb City uniform. “I had a great career here,” said Gillmore, who played left field earlier in her career. “I had great coaches and great players around me. I had the best time here.”