Upstate Softball Signees Garner Postseason Accolades
7/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Spartanburg, S.C. – When USC Upstate head softball coach Chris Hawkins and his staff hit the recruiting trail, they sought to sign incoming players who could come into the program and contribute in an effort to keep the Spartans in a position to battle at the top of the A-Sun. If the postseason honors of the signees are any indication, the incoming players may very well be in a position to assist the program early in their Spartan careers.
All five of Upstate's softball signees have garnered postseason honors, none bigger than North Davidson High School hurler Hannah Alexander. Alexander, from Lexington, N.C., is featured in the "Faces in the Crowd" section of this week's issue of Sports Illustrated magazine. She garnered the accolade after leading North Davidson to an undefeated 33-0 record, the 4A state championship as the tournament Most Valuable Player and the No. 1 national ranking by USA Today/NFCA. She finished the year with a 17-0 record, having alternated starts with fellow starter Tess Swing. She tallied a 0.28 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 107 innings pitched. She earned 4A All-State honors, was named the 4A-West co-Pitcher of the Year along with Swing, and earned All-District honors as the district's co-Pitcher of the Year.
In addition to Alexander, signees Laurin Buckner, Ashley Butler, Lindsay Kelly and Erin Schattle also garnered postseason honors.
Bucker (Asheville, N.C.) was a 3A All-State selection in North Carolina after turning in a solid season at Enka High School. She was an all-district selection and was named the District 8 3A Player of the Year.
Butler (Laurens, S.C.) earned 4A All-State honors in South Carolina after a tremendous season at Laurens High School. She was a North-South All-Star and was named the Most Valuable Player of the North Team at the North-South All-Star weekend, leading the North to a pair of victories against the 4A/1A and 3A/2A South teams. She was also named all-region and earned Laurens County Player of the Year honors.
Kelly (Jacksonville, Fla.) earned All-First Coast (all-district) honors after turning in a strong season at Mandarin High School. She was an all-conference selection after leading the Mustangs to the conference championship.
Schattle (Goose Creek, S.C.) earned 4A All-State honors in South Carolina after a standout season at Stratford High School. She hit .474 for the year en route to earning All-Lowcountry honors. She was named the Charleston Post & Courier's Player of the Year and was the Most Valuable Player at the prestigious Azalea Tournament.
