They have been together for the better part of a decade, pitcher and catcher, batterymates since the were young.
Courtney Duckett, taking her place behind the plate, flashing the signs to her pitcher, Andrea Kearbey, grasping the ball on the mound and ready to unleash fury.
It's a scenario that has been repeated thousands of times on the softball field.
Now, in their senior year at East Carter High School, they are two big reasons why the Lady Redbirds went on to win the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament championship, and they're not stopping there.
Duckett and Kearbey, the two self-described best friends, recently signed to further their softball careers together at Crowley's Ridge College.
"It makes me really happy because we work really well together and we have been for so long," Kearbey said. "I think going up there together will make it an even better experience."
Added Duckett, "We're best friends so this is a dream come true for us. We know each other so well on the field and off it so there won't be much of a transition for us."
Duckett and Kearbey took their visit to Paragould, Arkansas, in the middle of the fall season where they caught the attention of the Crowley's Ridge coaching staff.
"We took our visit together and they really liked it because we're that pitcher-catcher duo," Kearbey said. "It was an easy decision after that."
They first started playing together on a local little league team coached by Kearbey's dad, Chad, who has also been the assistant coach for East Carter during their four years there.
As they reached high school, the bond only grew stronger as they slowly but surely started to build their respective reputations as two of the best at their positions.
Not surprisingly, they credit each other.
"Courtney is an awesome catcher. She is a key factor in what makes me successful," Kearbey said. "She makes amazing plays and she is just an incredible athlete. Courtney being by my side through all the years on and off the softball field has given me amazing memories that I will never forget."
Duckett repaid the compliment.
"In my mind, Andrea is the most mentally and physically strong pitcher out there," she said. "Since I've been catching for her, I can confidently say that when I'm behind the plate I feel comfortable when she is on the mound and I've seen her get better as the years go on."
So too has Kearbey's coach for the last four years and aunt, Teresa Kearbey.
"From her freshman year on she's always been a very strong player, but she's gotten a lot stronger and a lot more confident in her defense," coach Kearbey said. "It's going to be very bittersweet to not see her out there for us anymore, but it's been an honor to get to coach her and watch her grow."
Kearbey posted a 13-9 record in the circle this spring. She finished with 90 strikeouts, 20 walks and a 1.40 ERA in 139.1 innings pitched.
As a sophomore, Kearbey improved upon her seven wins as a freshman, posting a 17-15 record with 105 strikeouts and a 2.48 ERA. She went 9-8 with a 2.12 ERA as a junior and holds a .364 career batting average with the Lady Redbirds.
Duckett batted .345 in her final season with East Carter, tallying 23 RBIs and 17 runs scored in 35 games. She had a .280 batting average as a junior and posted a 1.000 fielding percentage and had 160 put-outs with nine assists behind the plate.
They join a Crowley's Ridge team that is currently 3-27 with a chance to make a sudden impact.
"They both came right in and gave us all we could ask for in a pitcher-catcher duo," second-year coach Jordan Malone said of their tryout. "As freshmen they will both come in and get a lot of starting time."
With just a few more days to go before graduation, Kearbey and Duckett are remembering the moments they've shared with their current teammates before they go off to make new ones together.
"It's been really fun," Kearbey said. "It's always different with each year but we've been able to get better every season and make some memories that are going to last."