Murray State University Athletics
Softball Announces Five New Additions For 2013
11/15/2011 12:40:00 PM | Softball
Murray State softball coach Jay Pyron has announced that five players will be joining the softball program beginning in the fall of 2012. JJ Francis (Louisville, Ky. / Mercy Academy), Shelbey Miller (Goreville, Ill. / Goreville High School), Audrey Woodby (Knoxville, Tenn. / Karns High School), Erica Howard (Paducah, Ky. / Reidland High School) and Brianne Sanders (Cape Girardeau, Mo. /Notre Dame Regional) will all have four years of eligibility when they join the Racers next season.
“I am very excited about this class, we needed a strong class because we are losing three players who have been big parts of our program,” Pyron said. “Megan Glosser, Chelsey Sullivan and Alaina Zloty have meant a great deal to the program and to me. They were a part of our first recruiting class that took a chance on a start-up program and are going to leave incredibly big shoes to fill in terms of on the field production as well as leadership. I could not be more proud of these three and what they have brought to the table. This incoming class has a little bit of everything and there is a lot of speed coming with them.”
JJ Francis has helped Mercy Academy in Louisville, Ky., to the Kentucky state championship game in two of her first three seasons, earning 7th region championships in 2009 & 2010 along with district championships in each of the last three seasons. She has been a large part of Mercy compiling a 95-34-2 record since 2009.
“JJ comes in from Mercy Academy, one of the most successful programs in recent years and JJ has been a featured part of that success in the circle,” Pyron said. “We like what she brings to the table with the ball in her hand as well as off the field. She will fit in very well with our team and we are glad to have her.”
Francis has been named to the all-district tournament team in each of her three seasons and has been selected all-district tournament team, 7th-region team, 7th-region team and 1st-team All-State 2A in both of the last two years. She was named to the All-State tournament team in 2010. She had an earned run average of 0.837 last season and averaged over nine strikeouts per game.
“JJ has worked extremely hard to give herself the opportunity to continue her softball career,” Mercy Academy head coach Josh Bloomer said. “I am thrilled to see her dreams come to fruition. She is an
extremely talented player that will only get better. JJ has been an integral part of our high school's success and I expect to see her make the same contributions at Murray State.”
“The moment I walked on campus it felt like home,” Francis said. “I loved the atmosphere and the coaches and players were great. I'm excited to see the program progress more and more each year and I can't wait to be a part of it and contribute.”
Shelbey Miller was a driving force behind Goreville High School finishing 22-8 in 2010 while winning their conference, their conference tournament, regionals and sectionals. Primarily a shortstop in high school, she projects to see the field at a number of positions at Murray State.
“Shelbey is the mixture you are looking for in recruiting,” Pyron said. “She has a tremendous amount of athletic ability, paired with being a great student. We are very excited about what she is going to accomplish in a Racer uniform; she is a dynamic athlete who is fun to watch.”
The team batting leader the last three seasons at Goreville, she has hit over .419 in every season, including a career-best .533 in 2010. She is a three-time first team All-Conference selection and was named MVP following last season. A two-time All-South team member, she was honorable mention All-State in 2010 before being named second team All-State in 2011.
“It has been a pleasure coaching Shelbey these past four years,” Goreville head coach Shanna Massey said. “Her dedication to the team, love towards her teammates, and respect for her coaches are qualities of a truly successful player. She is a true leader, always eager to learn and pass her knowledge of the game along in order for her team to be successful. She will be greatly missed by me and her teammates, but I know that Murray State is about to acquire a young lady that will bring success to their program as well.”
“The moment I stepped on campus and met coach Pyron, I knew Murray State was the right fit for me,” Miller said. “Everything about Murray State feels like home. Seeing where the coaches are taking this program excites me the most. I really am looking forward to getting the opportunity to live out my dream of playing college softball and learning things here that I will use for the rest of my life.”
Audrey Woodby has been a three year starter at Karns High School, helping Karns to a pair of divisional and regional championships. A catcher at the high school level, she could see time behind the plate at Murray State while also taking the field at other positions in a utility role.
“Audrey will bring some power to the lineup,” Pyron said. “She is our first Tennessee player and fits what we look for in our recruiting of student athletes. Audrey can play several positions, but we look for her to spend most of her time behind the plate.”
She has hit 29 home runs in the past three seasons, including a personal-best 15 this past season. Her career year in 2011 included career highs in runs batted in (63), hits (52), batting average (.464) and stolen bases (8). Named the Karns rookie of the year in her first season back in 2009, she was selected as Prep Xtra second team in 2010 and first team in 2011 by the Knoxville News Sentinel, and earned district tournament MVP accolades in 2010 with All-State recognition coming in 2011.
“Audrey has been a starter and major contributor to our high school team since her freshman year,” Karns head coach Judy Siebert said. “She has mainly been our catcher, but we have also had her play third base and some outfield. She plays with great intensity in all parts of the game, is very encouraging to all of her teammates and tries to bring the best out of everyone. Audrey will do whatever is necessary to get better and to help her team.”
“My first visit at Murray State, I had an automatic respect for the coaches and players,” Woodby said. “They created an atmosphere of integrity and family that I could not pass up. The community surrounding the school is very supportive of the college and its students which made me feel like I was a part of a big family. I can't wait to begin this new chapter of my life. I am taking on new challenges and I have a brand new family backing me up every step of the way.”
Erica Howard has been a part of three All-A State championships, a KHSAA state championship in 2010, three district championships and a pair of regional championships in four seasons at Reidland High School. Primarily a middle infielder at Reidland, she is capable of playing at a number of positions for the Racers.
“Erica comes from one of the powerhouse softball programs in the state of Ky. at Reidland,” Pyron said. “They have won three state championships and many more All-A titles. Erica is a quick, versatile player. She can play all over the field and her speed will be a threat at all times. She is also a great student. “
She hit for a .398 batting average in 2011 while reaching base at a personal best .496 clip. She was name the 2011 Class A player of the year, was a first team All-State selection, selected to the Jr. West All-Star team, named to the 1st team All-Region, chosen 2nd team All-District and was a 1st team Academic All-State nominee.
“She's been the most versatile athlete I've ever coached and not once has she complained about moving from outfield her freshman year, to second base her sophomore year and to shortstop her junior and senior year,” Reidland head coach Tony Hayden said. “She's a leader in the classroom, as well as on the field. Erica has all the qualities that Murray State and Coach Pyron want in their athletes. She is coachable, brings a winning attitude, and can excel in the classroom.”
“I chose Murray State because the campus just felt like home to me,” Howard said. “Everyone I met on my visit was so friendly. I am excited about playing on such an incredible team where everyone works so hard and has a common goal. After meeting the coaching staff and players, I knew this was the place for me. I am looking forward to a challenging academic career, playing at the division I level and helping Murray State win an OVC championship.”
Brianne Sanders has been a part of four consecutive conference and district championships, a fourth-place class three finish at state and a class three state championship in four seasons at Notre Dame Regional High School.
“Brianne comes from one of the most successful high school programs in Missouri,” Pyron said. “She is a very fast player who finds ways to reach base and is a great fit for our team. Her personality and attitude are outstanding and she is a strong athlete.”
A three-time all-conference, all-district and all-region selection, she has set four single season school records with 33 stolen bases, 55 hits, 42 runs scored and an on base percentage of .658 over the past two seasons.
“Brianne was one of the hardest working young ladies I have ever coached,” Notre Dame Regional head coach Jeff Graviett said. “She was constantly trying to improve her game. She also was the lead-off hitter as a sophomore for our 2009 state champion team. Brianne shoes will be nearly impossible for us to replace next season. Brianne will bring a strong work ethic to the Division 1 level. She will not accept failure as an option, and that will help make her successful.”
“I am extremely excited to be part of the Racers softball team,” Sanders said. “One of the reasons I chose Murray State is because I automatically fell in love with the atmosphere of the campus. I also could tell the coaching staff is very dedicated to what they do, and the team made me feel right at home. I can tell the girls are really close with one another and have great attitudes. The team is like a family, and I am looking forward to joining it.”
