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ELLENBORO -- Although Ritchie County fireballer Chloe Elliott always had dreams of playing college softball at the Division I level, Seton Hill University made her an offer she couldn't refuse.
Griffins head coach Jessica Strong put together a package and the Rebel junior made it official on Wednesday evening by signing her national letter of intent for the Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference program.
Prior to all the havoc created by COVID-19, Elliott was expected to have both Florida Gulf Coast University and James Madison attend one of her games.
"I went to a few softball camps there, but I was not able to make an official visit because of COVID," Elliott said of Seton Hill, where the 4.0 GPA student plans to major in biology or pre-med with the idea of becoming a veterinarian.
"I've always dreamed of playing D1, but as soon as coach Strong came with the hard offer and how much I actually like the school I couldn't resist not taking the offer.
"There was a few D1 schools, but I really liked Seton Hill. With COVID going on some of the schools interested in me couldn't come watch me play in person. I decided to take the offer because I thought that would be the best choice for me."
Following her 10th-grade campaign, the right-hander earned first team Class A all-state status after posting an 18-7 record with a 0.77 earned run average to go along with 265 strikeouts for head coach Dave Mossor.
"It's something I've always looked forward to.
"One of my main goals at high school was to get my name up on one of the softballs and we only get those for all-state," Elliott said of the signs hanging around the field. "I was always excited for that."
The Rebel had been playing travel ball since June with the Outlaws before switching over to Virginia Unity in August.
"I've been working on my changeup and curveball a lot. My drop ball was already there," she said. "Last summer I went to a Seton Hill camp and the pitching coach there helped me with my rise ball a lot and that's definitely gotten a lot better."
Of course, Elliott was quick to point out what her bread and butter was.
"The curveball is my signature though," admitted the Rebel. "I've been throwing around 63 recently. I'd like to get to 65, but I've hit 63 quite a good bit. I just need to get my speed up a little bit and prepare for college."
Although anxious for college, there's still plenty of unfinished business to take care of at Ritchie County.
"I'm pretty excited for my senior season. We have a lot of good players this year and I think we have a good chance to get to states," she said. "Coach Mossor is dead set on going to states. We have to get there some way."
Thanks to her academic and athletic ability, Elliott basically only has to pay room and board at Seton Hill.
"It's really relieving at this point," Elliott said of making her collegiate choice. "For my last travel ball season I can relax and have fun and play the sport I really like."
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com