Kelsey and Caylan Harrison of Suffolk saved softball scouts at Richard Bland College a bit of recruitment time this year.

The twin sisters, who play for Galaxy Fastpitch Association, both recently committed to play college ball for Richard Bland at a recent signing ceremony in Smithfield.

“It’s definitely a big step,” Kelsey Harrison said. “All my hard work actually paid off for schools to be wanting me and offering me scholarship money to go to their school and play for their team. So, it’s definitely a huge accomplishment to me.”

Caylan Harrison, the younger sister by 10 minutes, said being able to sign “felt awesome. I felt like I was actually going somewhere and doing something, and it felt great to be able to have the opportunity to do that.”

The Harrisons, who turn 18 in May, got their start in softball when they were 11, playing with Bennett’s Creek Little League.

“I remember starting in little league when we had no idea what softball was, and my mom drew out the diamond on a piece of paper, explaining to us all of the positions,” Kelsey Harrison said. “And then we started playing travel ball when we were about 14.”

Both girls can play multiple positions, but Kelsey Harrison has established herself as a pitcher and Caylan Harrison has become a proven catcher.

Remembering her start with Bennett’s Creek, Caylan Harrison said, “Basically, ever since then, it was my goal to get better and keep playing and play in college.”

It was easy for the sisters to choose the same school.

“All the schools that were recruiting me were recruiting my sister, as well, because all of them wanted the pitcher-and-catcher combo, so there wasn’t a school that only wanted me,” Caylan Harrison said. “They wanted both of us.”

The twins had a couple of different two-year schools looking at them, including Richard Bland.

“We visited Chesapeake College in Maryland, and Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, Virginia, but there were a couple other schools that we didn’t visit,” Caylan Harrison said.

“We decided on Richard Bland because it was closer to home, and they really wanted us, and they have a really good softball program,” Caylan Harrison said.

The twins are receiving athletic scholarships that should cover over half of their college expenses, with financial aid and academic scholarship money helping to cover the rest.

James Roddy, who has coached the Harrisons during their high school years, said he was excited to see them fulfill their dreams.

Considering what the girls will bring to Richard Bland’s team, Roddy said, “Both of them are very athletic players,” and they communicate well, which will help their teammates.

“Their leadership, too, will help,” he said, along with their versatility.

Both sisters expect to play in their signature positions but to also see time elsewhere on the field.

Caylan Harrison said she is undecided on her major, and her sister is in a similar situation.

“I think for the most part I’m undecided,” Kelsey Harrison said. “I was looking into something along the lines of criminal justice or criminology just because I always love watching ‘Criminal Minds.’”

But she also is considering business, so she said the plan for her and her sister is to “start off with the associate’s (degree), and then see where we go from there.”