Two GMC Prep seniors sign for softball and soccer

Published 9:50 am Thursday, February 6, 2025

Two GMC Prep senior student-athletes are taking their talents to the junior college level.

Softball stud Hannah Garner and girls soccer standout Lily Mullis were among the thousands across the country who participated in National Signing Day ceremonies Wednesday. Garner, a two-time All-County Player of the Year, is following through on her commitment to Chattanooga State softball while Mullis will stay home and join the Georgia Military College women’s soccer team.

In addition to her All-County honors, Garner was also the Georgia Dugout Club Player of the Year for GHSA Class A Division II this past season. Her left-handed bat posted an astronomical .491 average with four home runs and 46 RBI, all while striking out only three times all season long. In the field Garner predominantly played pitcher where she herself struck out over 300 batters in 2024. Her dominance inside the circle was how she was also named Region Pitcher of the Year in a season where she helped lead the Lady Dogs to a state runner-up finish.

“I think a lot of that was the hard work and leadership Hannah put toward this team and the dedication she had to our program,” GMC Prep softball coach Jennifer Deason said. “It definitely helped us develop to where we are today.”

With the aforementioned statistics, it’s easy to see how Garner earned an opportunity to keep her softball career going.

“It means everything,” she said. “I truly love the sport. Being able to play for at least the next two years will be really fun and I’m just happy to continue.”

Softball has been a part of Garner’s DNA for most of her life, as evidenced by one more unofficial accolade on her softball resumé. Deason joked that her star player is also the world record holder for “most travel ball jerseys worn.” Didn’t matter whether her own travel team was playing on a given weekend or not, Garner was going to find her way onto a softball field somewhere.

“She had that much love for and that much commitment to the game,” said Deason.

Garner is taking all that love and dedication to JuCo Chattanooga State, a program that went 45-13 last season while advancing to the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series.

“I really love the area,” Garner said on why she chose Chattanooga State. “The coaches are pretty established there. They made me feel good when I went up on my visit. I also got to hit and pitch with them. The way they instructed me was great and let me know that I’ll learn a lot and improve as a player in my two years there.”

Garner expects to pitch some and play the corner infield spots once she gets to Chattanooga.

Joining her in the junior college ranks will be soccer defender Lily Mullis, described as “one of the toughest players I’ve ever coached” by her high school head coach Lindsey Wingard.

“Lily is the kind of player every coach wants on their team,” said Wingard. “She’s tough, she’s determined, she’s relentless, and she fought for her spot on the back line. She plays with confidence and intensity.”

Mullis having the chance to play college soccer wasn’t always a sure thing. She had a hip injury her freshman year that lingered until last spring when an MRI revealed a torn labrum. Surgery fixed the issue, but forced her to miss her junior season. Now she’s recovered and ready to play as a senior before joining head coach Courtney Morgan’s squad at GMC junior college.

“It’s very exciting because I didn’t think I would be able to after surgery,” Mullis said. “I’m happy I was able to overcome my injuries and earn this opportunity.”

GMC women’s soccer went 12-2-2 in the fall and narrowly missed out on winning the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association championship after losing 1-0 to Southern Union State Community College.