Marshall University Athletics
Herd Softball Signs Six NLI
11/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 29, 2009
Photo gallery of signees here
HUNTINGTON, W.Va.- Marshall University softball head coach Shonda Stanton announced the National Letter of Intent signing of six athletes on Saturday afternoon.
"Our coaching staff could not be any more excited about this class of athletes that will be joining the Herd family," said Stanton. "It is so much more than we had anticipated; having planned to sign three players and securing six quality student-athletes."
Comprising the signing class were Erika Bennett, Ashley Byrd, Kiara Chappelle, Amanda Lara, Natalee Pulver and Taylor Winton. The teammates of Bennett and Lara will transfer to MU after completing their sophomore seasons at Miami Dade College.
"First and foremost we were able to secure two outstanding pitchers that will elevate our program while adding depth behind the plate and the infield," Stanton said. "Besides being a solid group of athletes, these ladies will bring a strong work ethic and character to our program."
Erika Bennett | RHP | R/R | 5'8'' | Sierra Vista, Ariz.
Bennett has a trophy case which includes accolades such as the NFCA All Region Second Team, FCCAA All-State Second Team, First Team All Southern Conference, and was a FCCAA Pitcher of the Week honoree. She also holds the Miami Dade College school record for most consecutive shutouts, at five. Bennett will transfer from MDC with current teammate Lara.
"We were excited to be able to sign someone of Erika's caliber late in the process," said Stanton. "Her success at the JUCO level will bring stability and consistency to a young pitching staff. She is a focal point for her teammates and competes with incredible intensity and a strong mental game. She is a driven pitcher who is unshaken on the mound."
Ashley Byrd | C | R/R | 5'8'' | Huntington, W.Va.
Byrd lettered in softball at Huntington High School; and during the 2008 campaign at HHS, she notched a batting average of .376, an on base percentage of .409 and a fielding percentage of .982. She helped lead the Highlanders to its second-consecutive state championship after hitting at a .444 clip during the state tournament. Byrd is a 2009 Mountain State Athletic All-Conference Special Honorable Mention honoree, named Honorable Mention 2009 West Virginia Class AAA All-State Team and has a GPA of 4.0.
"We noticed Ashley from our camp because of her work ethic and strength," Stanton said. "We are very pleased to have signed her as she will provide us depth behind the plate and additional power potential offensively. Ashley is a determined student-athlete and represents exactly who we want to attract to Marshall."
Kiara Chappelle | INF/P | R/R | 5'6'' | Huntington, W.Va.
Chappelle is a current teammate of fellow signee, Byrd. In her three-year campaign at HHS, she has led the club in hitting. In the circle in 2009, she went 8-1 with a 0.44 ERA and a 13-to-1 strikeout/walk ratio. As a junior she had a .516 batting average and recorded 31 hits, 16 runs and 10 doubles.
"I never imagined we would have the opportunity of signing Kiki after seeing her 10 years ago at our clinics when she was a little gal," said Stanton. "Through the years her strong commitment to excel has helped develop her into one of the best softball players in the state. Kiki is a true utility player and we will look for her to challenge for time on the left side of the infield."
Chappelle is a three-time All-State Infielder and was named the 2008 West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year.
Amanda Lara | SS | S/R | 5'4'' | Miami, Fla.
Lara, a JUCO transfer from Miami Dade College, is a recipient of the US Marine Corp Distinguished Female Athlete Award, FCCAA & NJCAA 2009 All-Conference First Team honoree, 2008-09 Miami Dade College Academic Achievement Award winner, 2007 Honorable Mention All-Dade and named in 2008 to the All-Dade Second Team. Prior to MDC, she was a two-year letterwinner at Homestead High School where she recorded a program-best pitching record.
"Amanda will provide a spark offensively and can play on either side of the bag in the middle infield," said Stanton. "She has great range and will hit for average; Amanda is always on base and puts pressure on the defense. She has been well coached at MDC and will bring maturity and leadership to a young infield. Her energy and enthusiasm for the game will be contagious."
Natalee Pulver | RHP | L/R | 5'8'' | Alta Loma, Calif.
Pulver recorded an overall record of 22-2 in 2009 at Etiwanda High School. She notched 11 solo shutouts, 121 strikeouts and a 0.71 ERA on the year. Pulver was named the Mike Smith Academy Pitcher of the Year, Baseline League Most Valuable Player, Inland Valley Player of the Year and was a First Team All-State selection.
"Natalee is a fierce competitor and leader on the mound. She will take us to the next level and be a workhorse for us in the circle. She has the poise and demeanor as well as the command and control of her pitches to be a difference maker in our program. Natalee continues to be tested and be a proven winner on the Gold level circuit. She was a highly sought-after hurler and we are pumped she will be wearing the green and white."
Pulver plays on the USA Athletics 18 Gold club team.
Taylor Winton | C | R/R | 6'0'' | Federal Way, Wash.
Winton is a three-time starter at Todd Beamer High School and three-time varsity team captain along with a two-time varsity Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. She led the TBHS Titans to its first post-season as well as being tops on the team in homeruns, hits and RBI. She was twice named to the All-City team at catcher and was a 4A South Puget Sound League Team selection for three-consecutive years. Winton also lettered two years in basketball at TBHS. She plays for the Washington LadyHawks Gold-Hawkins club team, where she led the team in homeruns and RBI.
"Taylor is one of the better power hitters we have seen. She has tremendous strength and is a legitimate long ball hitter. Taylor comes from an established program in the LadyHawks and she plays the game with enthusiasm and a great attitude. With all the speed we signed in 2009, Taylor was a must have and could potentially be one of the strongest players we have ever signed."
www.HerdZone.com
