GOOD HOPE — Josie McDonald made her college choice official on Friday.

And it couldn’t have been an easier decision.

Surrounded by her family, friends, teammates and coaches, the Good Hope standout signed a scholarship inside the high school library to attend and play softball at Snead State Community College beginning this fall.

The senior, although excited, was simply content enough to cement her future in one swish of the pen.

“It feels official,” McDonald said. “It’s great to have this opportunity, because if I didn’t, I don’t really know where I’d go. I liked the Snead campus and stuff. It felt like the one from the start.”

McDonald has been sidelined so far this season with a shoulder injury but put up some fine numbers for the Lady Raiders back in 2016.

She earned a 26-16 record with a 3.10 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 113 strikeouts in 225 2/3 innings to help Good Hope nab a regular season area title. At the plate, she batted .336 with a .391 OBP to go along with 41 RBIs, 39 hits and three home runs.

In 2015, McDonald was selected a Class 4A All-State second-teamer as a designated hitter.

‘I’ll play wherever they put me,” McDonald said her new destination. “Except catcher. I don’t really catch.”

For now, the stout competitor just wants to return to the field as soon as possible.

“It’s been frustrating,” she said. “I hate being in the dugout and not playing. Yeah. But I’m working on being back in the next few weeks.”

That news is certainly welcome to first-year coach Monica Bates, who won a pair of state titles for Cullman as a player.

Bates coached first base for the Red and White during 2016 before taking over the squad later in the year.

“Josie works hard, and she’s dedicated,” she said. “I know she’ll be a leader and a team player at Snead.”

McDonald will join former Cullman County stalwarts Mallory Walker (West Point) and Rilee White (Cold Springs) when she travels down to the Boaz-based institution.

Lady Parson coach Tracy Grindrod couldn’t be more pleased about it.

“She handles adversity and winning well,” the fourth-year head man said. “She’s the player you want with the ball in her hand inside the circle when times are tough. We expect big things from her right off the bat.”