Thursday, November 18, 2004

(Nov. 18, 2004) -  Head Lady Bucs softball coach Amy Fuller has signed four student-athletes to join the 2005-2006 softball team during the early signing period, it was announced today.  Jessica Hackworth (Clinton, Tenn.), Kathleen Powell (Johnson City, Tenn.), Laura Davies (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Mary Vercoe (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) have all signed national letters of intent to compete for ETSU.

"We are looking forward to having all four of these young ladies join the Buccaneer softball tradition that we are working to build here in Johnson City.  I am impressed with each one of them both on and off the field and I know that they will all make a positive impact while getting a top quality education here at ETSU," coach Fuller said.

Hackworth, a senior at Oliver Springs High School, competed at the third base and short stop positions while also pitching for coach Matt Headden at Oliver Springs.  A four-year letterwinner, a three-year all-district honoree and all-state team member in 2004, Hackworth plans to major in physical therapy while attending ETSU.

Powell will join the '05-'06 squad after competing at Happy Valley High School for coach Karri Killen earning four letters playing shortstop and outfield.  Planning on majoring in education at ETSU, Powell was also a four-year letterwinner in basketball at Happy Valley as well as competing for the cross country team.  An All-Conference and All-Carter/Johnson County honoree in 2003, Powell posted a .378 batting average in 2003 while managing a .904 fielding average at Happy Valley. 

"Jessica is a tough power hitting third baseman.  She is a tremendously hard worker who I know will compete for a starting role next year," Fuller noted.  "Kate (Powell) also brings a great deal of speed to our program.  She is a raw talent who is extremely coachable who will work both in the outfield and with the middle infielders."

Laura Davies will head to ETSU from Chattanooga where she was a four-year letterwinner in softball at Baylor School playing both catcher and in the outfield for coach Kelli Smith.  Playing for the 2003 and 2004 state championship squad at Baylor, Davies posted a .301 batting average with 10 stolen bases and 37 runs scored in 2004.  A member of the National Honor Society, Davies plans to major in political science at ETSU.

Rounding out the class is Vercoe who will join the Lady Bucs squad from Signal Mountain where she was a volleyball and softball standout at Baylor School in Chattanooga.  A teammate of Davies, Vercoe competed for coach Smith as a pitcher and first baseman en-route to the state championships in 2003 and 2004.  She will bring a 22-6 pitching record from 2004 and a 1.19 ERA to aid the ETSU pitching staff, while also bringing a .379 batting average competing in the field.  A member of the Dean's List at Baylor School, Vercoe plans to major in pre-med while attending ETSU.

"Laura is extremely fast and I look to her as a player that will make things happen offensively.  Defensively she is a smart catcher and she will add depth to our outfield," Fuller said. "Mary Catherine is a power hitting first baseman and pitcher who has the potential to make a huge impact right away.  She is one of the best true hitters that I watched this summer and I believe that she will continue to improve." 

Coach Fuller is very excited for the upcoming season, and with the signing of these four student athletes, she is extremely excited for the season's ahead, "We are looking forward to having all four of these young ladies join the Buccaneer softball tradition that we are working to build here in Johnson City.  I am impressed with each one of them both on and off the field.  I know that they will all make a positive impact while getting a superb education here at ETSU."

ETSU will kick-off the 2005 campaign when they compete at the UNC Triangle Classic in early February, visit ETSUBucs.com for scores, game recaps and updates.