Brandywine senior Kelly Harper will continue her academic and athletic career at Bethel College.

Harper signed her national letter of intent Monday in the Brandywine High school media center with coaches, family and friends looking on.

Last year Harper hit .508 with 18 doubles, two triples, a home run and 44 RBIs.

On the mound for the Bobcats, she was 16-9 with 88 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.57.

Harper broke onto the scene in a big way her sophomore season when she set a Brandywine school record with 11 home runs.

Harper hit .500 with 12 doubles and 48 RBIs.

Third-year Bethel College coach Megan Hastings sees Harper helping out at catcher and either first or third base.

Harper said familiarity with the program is one of the reasons why she chose Bethel.

“It is local and my uncle works on campus,”she said. “I have been to athletic events and plays. It has a great Christian background, which is how I have grown up.

“It has a great softball program and it has what I want for school. Overall, it was a great choice for me.”

Harper also looked at Calvin College, Elmhurst College and Saginaw Valley State University before selecting Bethel.

“Kelly has a great attitude and a great work ethic,“ Hastings said. “She has great athletic ability. Getting to know her before I got to watch her play was so nice.

“I got to meet her on campus and watched her play over the summer once. Having her actually on campus when we hosted a recruiting weekend we put her through the full workout. She got to stay the night with the girls and scrimmage with the girls. She just really seemed to fit in. Behind the plate she was just a standout.”