FMU softball signs six

By: From local reports | SCNOW
Published: January 16, 2009

Francis Marion softball coach Stacey Vallee has announced the addition of one junior college transfer and the signing of five high school seniors during the recent early signing period: infielder Tristan Faile of Lancaster, catcher-outfielder Olivia Ferguson of Roanoke, Va., catcher-first baseman Annie Hegar of Jefferson, N.C., left-handed pitcher Murphy McConnell of Milton, Ga., utility player Jamie Ross of Cape Coral, Fla., and right-handed pitcher Brittany Scoggins of Boiling Springs.

“These players want to be at Francis Marion and they have expressed a desire to be part of the tradition we have built here, both on the field and in the classroom,” Vallee said.

Faile, 5-7, is a senior at Andrew Jackson High School where she plays for coach Steve Middleton. She is a two-time All-State selection, a three-time All-Region pick, and was named her team’s most valuable player last spring.

In 2008, she batted .468 with 16 runs batted in as the Lady Vols posted a 20-11 mark. She also recorded two shutouts on the pitching mound.

Ferguson, 5-6, is a senior at Cave Spring High School where she plays under the direction of coach Lindsey Moore. Last spring, she earned first-team All-State, All-Region, All-River Ridge District, and All-Timesland recognition after hitting a district and region-high .512 with 12 stolen bases and a district-leading 31 RBIs. She also recorded a.818 slugging percentage.

Hegar, 5-10, is a senior at Ashe County High School where she plays for coach Bill Key. As a junior, she was an All-Mountain Valley Athletic Conference pick while helping the Huskies to a 13-10 record and a program-best third-round appearance in the state playoffs. She also received 2008 Scholar-Athlete recognition.

McConnell, 5-9, is a senior at Milton High School where she plays for coach Melanie Mosteller.

Ross, 5-3, is a senior at Ida S. Baker High School where she plays under the direction of coach Morgan Klare. She batted .359 as a junior and helped the Bulldogs to a 23-7 record and a spot in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.

She has earned All-Area and All-Conference accolades. An honor roll student, she is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. She also ran cross country at Baker.

Scoggins, 5-4, is a sophomore at Spartanburg Methodist College where she plays for coach Rick Pauly. She will have two years of eligibility when she enrolls at FMU. As a freshman, she posted a 17-4 pitching mark with two saves, a 1.32 earned run average, and 169 strikeouts in only 149 innings.

She completed 16 of her 23 starts and tossed six shutouts. At the plate, she hit .296 with 11 RBIs as the Pioneers went 31-12 and finished fifth at the NJCAA Nationals.

She ranked nationally in strikeouts per game and ERA and earned first-team All-Region X honors.

Francis Marion, which finished 39-16 and ranked fifth nationally last year, opens its season Feb. 7-8 at the Early Bird Tournament in Aiken.