Dillon’s Shaquailla German signed on to play for Claflin University on Wednesday morning.

German has been an outstanding player for the Lady Wildcats and helped them to their first ever state championship this season. During her time with the team, the Wildcats have also won five region championships, four district championships, and two lower state championships.

German has been an outstanding player both on the mound and at the plate. She has a 40-11 record on the mound with two saves, and a region record of 18-1 with one save with a playoff record of 10-3. She has recorded 431 strike outs and allowed 116 runs with a 1.06 ERA. Her best pitch is her curve ball.

At bat, German has a .441 average with 178 RBI, 140 runs, and 30 home runs with 165 hits and 71 walks.

German was named CAWS All-State in 2011, 2012, and 2014, HSSR Rookie of the Year, Region 8 AA Player of the Year in 2011, and was named HSSR All-State and Region 8-2A All-Region three years in a row. She was the Dillon High School MVP in 2011 and was the Dillon High Offensive MVP in 2012 and 2013.

German has been playing softball for eight years, and has been active in travel ball and recreation ball. She helped the Dixie Belles claim a state title and advance to the Dixie Softball World Series in 2012.

In addition to softball, German also plays volleyball and says she enjoys shopping in her downtime.

German credits her father for pushing her to play and her coaches for helping her along the way. She says she plans to carry their “practice like you play” ethic to Claflin.

“I’m looking forward to playing at the next level,” she said. “After being a part of Coach Carter’s championship team, I want to be part of Claflin’s first.”

Claflin’s Lady Panthers finished last season with a 43-8 record and a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division best 21-3 record in conference play. The Panthers fell to Albany State University in the SIAC Conference Tournament. Claflin earned NCAA Division II softball statistical awards for most Runs Per Game (9.16) and Doubles Per Game (2.16). Claflin also finished second in the nation in stolen bases with 3.02 per game.

German fielded offers from Winston Salem State University, Francis Marion University, and North Carolina A&T before settling on Claflin. She plans to pursue a degree in middle level education.

“After visiting Claflin and other schools, it seemed to be the best fit for me, including my major,” she said. “My parents have always supported me since I first started playing. It is important to me that my parents will be able to attend.”

Her parents, James and Chevella German, said they were very proud of her accomplishments.
“We thank God for this opportunity,” her mother said.

“She really has worked hard for eight years,” her father added. “She practiced and made sacrifices while her friends played.”

Head Coach Shirl Carter also praised German’s efforts.

“I’m very proud of Shaquailla,” she said. “She has been with us for six years. As a seventh grader she had seven home runs and eight on the junior varsity team that same year, and she has not looked back since. We have one more year with her and we are expecting great things on and off the field.

“She’s the leader of our team,” she added. “I look forward to seeing her on the next level.”
Assistant Coach Donna Lane said she was also very proud of German.

“We’re looking for great things in her future,” she said. “And looking for big things on the high school field while hoping to go back-to-back.”

Athletic Director Jackie Hayes also had praise for German and her coaches.

“She has had good home support who challenged her for this opportunity and good coaches who challenged her to dominate,” he said.

Hayes noted how much German has matured over the the course of her high school career, but noted that “more will be expected of you.”

“At the end of the day,” he said, “you must get your degree and give back when you have the opportunity.”

German’s parents were in attendance for the signing, along with her grandmother, Katie Grooms, and her aunts and godmother, and her travel coach, Pede Roberts.