7/22/2010 8:03:20 AM
Carrollton, GA - With the 2010-11 academic year just around the corner, West Georgia head coach Erika Swanson has announced the signing of eight recruits for the upcoming year.
"This class has a chance to be very good for us," said Swanson. "We feel that we have filled in the holes appropriately with this class and hope to see a lot of improvement this year."
The 2010 softball recruiting class includes five transfers and three true freshmen, with three of the transfers coming from Division I programs and two from the junior college ranks. Seven of the eight recruits hail from the state of Georgia, with three local players.
Topping the class is likely the most highly anticipated recruit in UWG softball history, as local product Nicole Yancey will take the field for the Wolves in the fall. She originally signed with Division I powerhouse Alabama out of high school, but personal reasons kept her from taking the field for the Crimson Tide. Yancey played just three years for the Central-Carroll Lions, hitting .517 with 42 home runs and 115 RBI, earning a nod as an Under Armour All-American.
In addition to Yancey, Swanson has brought in pitching and help at the top of the order from the Division I ranks. Newnan High School graduate Kayla Vallery had a .65 ERA in high school, earning a scholarship at Youngstown State in Ohio before deciding to return closer to home with the Wolves this season.
Swanson's speed addition is from Ellenwood native Jen Culberson, who signed with Tennessee State out of high school. In her first season at TSU, she led the Ohio Valley Conference in steals with 32, setting a school record.
From the junior college ranks, Swanson has secured the services of Darton College standout Kari Barnes and Eastern Arizona College pitcher Antoinette Diaz.
Barnes was an All-Conference performer for each of her two years at Darton, batting .400 in both years with a combined 10 home runs. Barnes prepped at Alexander HIgh School in Douglasville, earning All-State honors in all four years. Diaz pitched for two years at Eastern Arizona, collecting a solid 2.76 ERA against top junior college talent.
From the high school ranks, Swanson signed three Georgia players; Monica Mills of Gordon Central High in Calhoun, Imani Cabell of Southwest Dekalb High in Decatur and Ashlyn Newman of Effingham County High near Savannah.
Mills was an All-Area player for all four years, earning All-State honors as a senior. Cabell batted .400 in both junior and senior seasons, earning an All-County nod. Newman was also an All-State honoree, earning First Team accolades after batting .384 with 12 stolen bases and 28 runs as a senior.
All eight players in the UWG recruiting class will join the returners in August, with fall drills set to begin in September. The 2011 season will kick off in early February.