Two senior members of the Kelowna U18 Heat girls team will soon be pursuing their educations and softball careers south of the border in North Dakota.
Shortstop Shayla Tyerman has signed with the University of Jamestown, while pitcher Gina Selfe plans to attend Lake Region State College next fall.
Tyerman, who is graduating this spring from Rutland Senior Secondary, has played for Heat rep teams for the last six years, and nine seasons in the Kelowna Minor Fastball Society.
Defensively, Tyerman has a big range and strong arm, and is an offensive threat having batted close to .400 last season.
Tyerman, who was discovered by the Jamestown coaching staff at a scouting tournament last November in Las Vegas, is excited about the next phase of her education and career.
"I really like their coach and there are lots of Canadians on the team," Tyerman said of her decision to join the Jamestown program. "The campus is super nice, there are small class sizes, which I think will be really good for me.
"I'm super excited to be getting a chance to play softball and pursue my education aty the same time."
Selfe, who is graduating from Eagle River Secondary in Sicamous, joined the Heat program as a 12-year-old and has played the highest level of ball offered in the Interior ever since.
As a pitcher, Selfe has an excellent fastball and, with the bat, can hit for power.
Meanwhile, Heat will host their Open Icebreaker tournament this weekend at High Noon Park for the U16 to U19 classifications.
Kelowna will play at 6 p.m. Friday at 9 a.m., 1 and p.m. on Saturday, and noon on Sunday.
Six B.C. teams will be joined by eight from Alberta.