SMC Softball Signs Eight to 2011-12 Roster

SPARTANBURG – With their 2011 season yet to begin, the SMC Lady Pioneers softball team has already picked up eight key signees for its 2011-2012 roster.

"I'm very excited to add this class of student-athletes to the SMC softball family. Each one of these players will bring their own unique qualities and add a wealth of softball ability to a very strong returning class of sophomores," says head softball coach Thad Fox.

Players signed for next season include:

Alex Bettis  (Prince Avenue High, Georgia)

"Alex is a power slapper with excellent speed and base running skills. She will compete for time in the outfield and on the mound. We are looking for Alex to compete right away- she has excellent bat control at the plate and will cause teams to make mistakes with her speed," says Fox.

Bettis also played for the Georgia Impact Gold organization.

Lindsey Gore   (Lexington High School, South Carolina)

"Lindsey is a tall middle infielder/first baseman that could also see some time in the outfield. She has excellent range and above average arm. Lindsey has a great eye at the plate and will develop into more of a power hitter," Fox adds.

Gore also played for the Full Throttle travel organization.

Hannah Holbrook (White Knoll High School, South Carolina)

"Hannah is a defensive-minded infielder with the skills to patrol any position in the outfield as well. She will look to compete at second base and outfield early in the fall. Graduating a year early, she will need to add more body strength, but brings a wonderful mind for the game to the Pioneers," comments Fox.

Holbrook also played for the Capitol City Shockers travel organization.

Taylor Faris (Kings Mountain High School, North Carolina)

"Taylor is a very versatile softball player. She has the ability to play every spot on the field.  She has a cannon for an arm and can run the bases. We look for her to compete in the middle infield and outfield right away," Fox states.

Faris also played for Team North Carolina travel organization.

Taylor Jordan (Hunter Huss High School, North Carolina)

"Taylor provides the big middle of the order power bat of this class. She is a natural catcher with the ability to play first base and third. She will also see time as a Designated Player just to keep her bat in the lineup as much as possible," says Fox.

Jordan also played for the Queen City Rockers travel organization.

Lacy Smith (Dutch Fork High School, South Carolina)

"Lacy will also provide the power bat needed in the Pioneer lineup. She is another versatile player with the ability to catch, play third, short, or first base. We'll look for Lacy to compete at any position on the field, as she brings a ton of knowledge to our program," adds Fox.

Smith also played for the SC Jets organization.

Casey Whitaker (Broome High School, South Carolina)

"Casey, along with all the other players, has had a successful travel and high school circuit. She will compete for time on the mound, third base, second base, outfield and first base," Fox says.

Whitaker also played for the Carolina Crush and Gators travel organization.

Rebekah Smith (Laurens High School, South Carolina)

"Rebekah is another multiple position player with a strong bat. Rebekah, Casey Whitaker, Taylor Jordan, and Lacy Smith all have the ability to easily drive the ball out of the park on any given swing. But Rebekah will look to compete behind the plate at one of the corner infield spots or even in the outfield," Fox states.

The Lady Pioneers will scrimmage Gardner Webb College at 1 pm on Feb. 12, on the road. SMC opens its regular season Feb. 18 at the Georgia Perimeter College Tournament, playing the first game at 12 pm against GPC.

Spartanburg Methodist College has 14 intercollegiate teams that compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association, which includes colleges in the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The College is in its 100th academic year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.
 
For more information please contact athletic director Mark Perdue at (864) 587-4237