Lauren Beshears signed the most important document of her life, last Monday.

While family, friends, teammates and coaches gathered in Eastside High School’s media center, they witnessed the standout pitcher sign her letter of intent to play softball at Young Harris College in Harris, Georgia.

Beshears was one of Eastside’s ace pitchers during a season that saw the Eagles clinch its first region crown since 2009. She joined Molly Moon to form one of the top pitching duos in Region 4-AAAA. Both Beshears and Moon shared Region 4-AAAA Pitcher of the Year honors for 2016.

Beshears finished her 2016 campaign with a 12-4 record and a 1.97 ERA. She also recorded 91 strikeouts for the Eagles who finished with a 21-11 record overall and a perfect 13-0 region mark.

Eastside coach Heather Wood expressed her pride in Beshears’ accomplishments and the promise she’s shown for achieving success at the collegiate level.

“Lauren was an instrumental part of our pitching staff this season,” Wood said. “She definitely carried us through our region championship game and our postseason.”

Beshears helped lead Eastside to an 11-1 victory over Woodward Academy which clinched the region championship. She also powered the Eagles through the first round of the playoffs before seeing her season end against Oconee County. Much of Beshears’ work came during a time when fellow senior Moon was out with an injury.

Wood said the toughness and resolve shown by Beshears throughout the season helped her to know that the pitcher was ready for next level softball.

“We are excited for her and this next chapter of her softball career,” Wood said. “She is an incredible pitcher, and we definitely expect her to be successful at the college level.”