ETSU bolsters pitching staff and offense with two signings

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 27, 2013) – ETSU softball coach Brad Irwin has announced the additions of two high-school standouts to the Bucs’ 2015 recruiting class. Cassi Pickett (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Kelsey Smith (Tucson, Ariz.) have signed letters of intent to join the Bucs for the 2015 season.

Pickett, a catcher and corner infielder, batted .464 last season en route to helping lead Baylor High School to a Division II-AA state title.

Smith, a pitcher and first baseman, has hit .573 during her first three years of high school softball and led the entire state of Arizona with 75 RBI last season. She also earned 16 wins from the circle, recording 167 strikeouts and holding opposing batters to a .196 batting average.

“We are very excited about adding Cassi [Pickett] and Kelsey [Smith] to the program,” Irwin said. “We expect both players to bring some power to the lineup.”

Aside from the potential offense both players could eventually provide for the Bucs, Irwin was impressed by the intangibles they possess, even as high school athletes.

“Cassi [Pickett] is a great competitor,” Irwin said. “She plays with tremendous intensity.

Kelsey [Smith] is the type of pitcher we’re looking for,” Irwin said. “She has a bulldog mentality in the circle. She should be a great addition to the pitching staff.”

Pickett is already familiar with several current ETSU players, including Madison Boyd, Bethany Cowart, and Jackie Baird. The four played travel ball together as members of the Tennessee Fury ’95 team.

Smith, who was named the 2013 Southern Arizona Player of the Year, was a member of the 2011 United States Specialty Sports World Series champion team. She was named the 2011 USSSA World Series All-Tournament MVP and recently earned a spot on the 2013 MaxPreps Softball Underclass All-American Team.

The Buccaneers recently announced their 2014 regular season schedule. View the schedule here.

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