JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (June 12, 2007) - ETSU softball head coach Andrea Mangrum capped off a stellar recruiting class by announcing Vicki McCoy (Ringgold, Ga.) has signed her national letter of intent to play for the Buccaneers Tuesday afternoon.

            McCoy, an outfielder from Chattanooga State, spent the last two seasons being a productive slap hitter for the Lady Tigers. During her two year stint at Chattanooga State, McCoy hit .429 (157-366) with nine doubles, six triples, one home run, 64 RBI and 112 runs scored. McCoy will also give the Bucs much needed speed on the base paths, as she was 74-for-78 in stolen base attempts. She helped guide the Lady Tigers to their 15^th consecutive TJCCAA/NJCAA Region VII title in 2007, along with a fourth-place finish at the 2006 national tournament.

"Vicki comes from a winning tradition at Chattanooga State, and her coach runs a successful softball program," said Mangrum. "She is the type of player that makes things happen both at the plate and on defense. She brings speed to the field and is a true left-handed hitter."

            Later this summer McCoy will join Team USA in Thailand where she will participate in the World University Games. The Americans will be joined by Japan, Australia, Korea and the Czech Republic in Pool B. The top four teams in the group will advance to the championship tournament. Pool play starts Aug. 8 in Bangkok.

             "In building a program, you always want players that refuse to lose," added Mangrum. "Vicki is that type of player and I hope her success at Chattanooga State and at the international level will be the foundation she brings to our program."

            Mangrum knows how to locate winning talent as Katie Henderson (Jackson, Tenn.), the Softball Bucs' first recruit for the 2007-08 season, also enjoyed a championship season. Henderson, a catcher from Trinity Christian Academy, helped guide the Lady Lions to its second straight Class A Title. TCA became the fourth softball program in state history to post back-to-back titles, while also setting the single-season school record with 46 victories.

            "Katie was a true leader on her high school team and she played a critical role in guiding her team to consecutive state titles," said Mangrum. "She will be missed at Trinity, but we are excited about the winning tradition she brings to ETSU."

            Joining Henderson, McCoy and the 13 returning Buccaneer athletes in 2007-08 will be Ashley Boyd (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Kaela Jackson (Morristown, Tenn.).

Over the last four years Boyd led Dade County High School to 105 victories, where she was used on the mound, at first, and as a designated player. Jackson, a utility player/catcher, led Morristown-Hamblen High School West to the 2007 TSSAA Division I Class AAA sectionals.

            "If the newcomers bring their winning traditions, talent, and hard work and the returnees take their game to the next level in the off season; the sky is the limit for this program," said Mangrum.

             Mangrum has been working hard in recruiting since taking over the program in July 2005. Over the time frame she has brought in 14 student-athletes to the program.

            "Every year coaches attempt to bring in talent that surpasses what their program had the previous season," added Mangrum. "It is a coaches goal that the returnees will work hard in the off season to raise their level of play. This is what adds depth and brings a championship to a team."

For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball link.