The Sting Fast Pitch softball organization’s 18U Gold team had plenty of success on the field in the fall of 2015, but coach Scott Haley is more excited by what his girls soon could do with their pens than their bats.

Eight members of the team are in a position to put pen to paper and sign to play college softball.

Haley said that at one point, the mission of Sting was “to grow the skills of the Southside girls to be able to compete at a high school level.”

“The mission statement now forming my vantage point is to grow the abilities of all girls that would wish to participate … to enable them to compete at a college level, if they choose to play,” he said.

“All girls” presently includes four from Tennessee, who learned of the team, joined it and unite with it when it plays in showcases.

In Haley’s six years coaching Sting, “we have signed 85 percent of the kids to play college softball,” he said.

His current group of players has put on a show for college coaches, going 23-5-1 during the fall while playing in events located in Bluefield, Raleigh, N.C., Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Two of those losses came in exhibition games against college players.

“It’s the fastest team Sting’s ever had,” Haley said, noting nine of the 16 girls on the roster can run from home plate to first base in under 2.8 seconds.

The team batting average for the fall was over .450, while its pitching staff had a 1.04 ERA.

Sting’s 18U Gold team has only one girl from Suffolk this year, junior Lauryn Bailey, who also plays for King’s Fork High School.

Haley said she has turned out to be one of the top third basemen in the Tidewater area, and she has turned into a really good left-handed slapper, as well.

“She’s definitely a shining star,” he said. “She’ll be able to early commit, if she’d like to.”

As for Sting’s eight seniors with college plans, the list includes first baseman/pitcher Meredith Throckmorton of Smithfield High School. She had 11 home runs in the fall, five in one tournament alone, and committed recently to Bluefield College.

“What she’s going to bring to a college is that power,” Haley said. “Every college out there is looking for that girl who can change the game in a swing.”

Catcher Malyn Nocera of Karns High School in Knoxville, Tenn. was a clutch hitter in the fall, generated a batting average above .350 and has chosen to play college ball at Montreat College in North Carolina.

“She’s going to bring the ability from behind the plate to help manage the game,” Haley said. “She does a real good job of pacing.”

Outfielder Cher Jamison of Woodrow Wilson High School hit .521 in the fall, can reach first in 2.68 seconds and she has signed with Bluefield College.

“The thing that Cher’s going to bring is maturity,” Haley said. “She understands the game, she understands the dugout. She’s a coach’s player.”

Outfielder Ashley Daniels of Gibbs High School in Knoxville, Tenn., had a rough start to the year, but was hitting right at .400 by the end of the season, and she has chosen to play for West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

“She’s going to bring a big bat with a lot of speed, and a lot of times you don’t get that,” Haley said.

Pitcher Daelyn Hedger of Karns in Knoxville, Tenn. threw for 68 innings in the fall, giving up only six walks, and she has chosen to play for Bluefield College.

Haley said, “She’s going to bring the ability to keep the hitters off-balance,” because not only does she have good speed, but she can move the ball well, too.

Outfielder Logan Walkosz of Woodside High School led Sting 18U Gold in doubles for the fall, runs from home to first in 2.68 seconds and sufficiently impressed the coaches at the University of Charleston in West Virginia to earn an opportunity to play there.

Haley said she will bring power and speed and will keep defenses off-balance.

Shortstop Ashten Hinkle of Southampton Academy and centerfielder Chelsea Updegraff of First Colonial High School are in the process of choosing their college homes, juggling multiple options.