Softball Signs Five To Class Of 2015
December 04, 2014 | Softball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.- Gardner-Webb University and head softball Coach Tom Cole announced Monday that Kaylee Wacaster (Shelby, N.C.), Callie Thornton (Goldsboro, N.C.), Emma Megal (Elm Grove, Wisc.), Madi Lewis (Kennesaw, Ga.), and Devyn Terry (Elberton, Ga.) have signed National Letters of Intent to play softball for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
"I am very excited about our 2015 recruiting class. Our focus was three-fold, finding a talented pitcher, finding homerun hitters with speed, and finding competitors," commented head coach Tom Cole. " We found our pitcher, we found homerun hitters with speed, and we found competitors."
Wacaster attends nearby Crest High School where she has been a three-year varsity player under head coach Greg Earl. A three-time All-District and All-Conference selection, Wacaster is a utility player that plays both outfield and catcher and was named the team's MVP during her junior year.
" I have known Kaylee Wacaster since she first began playing softball. She's a talented outfielder from Crest High School who can also play catcher. She hits for power, and percentage, and she also has speed," said Cole. " On the field she's quiet and unassuming, but if she gets her pitch, she's going to hit it a long way. I expect Kaylee to be an asset right away."
This past summer playing for her club team the Charlotte Starz Elite, Wacaster batted .419 and struck out just twice the entire season. While attending Gardner-Webb, Wacaster intends to major in education.
Thornton plays softball at Rosewoord High School where she has been a three-year starter at pitcher and third base for the Eagles. Thornton is a three-time All-Conference selection where she has helped the Eagles reach the state playoffs during her freshman, sophomore, and junior years. "Callie Thornton is a homerun hitting third baseman who can also play the outfield. She is deceptively fast with soft hands and a strong arm," commented Cole.
A native of Goldsboro, N.C., Thornton has played three years for her club softball team, the Carolina Flames.Thornton was named the 2014 Homecoming Queen and has been a scholar-athlete during her three years in high school. A powerful hitter from the right side of the plate, Thornton has 42 combined home runs between high school and travel ball. While attending Gardner-Webb, Thornton intends to major in biology. " I see Callie playing 3rd base for us, but she's fast enough to play centerfield. I liked Callie the first time I saw her, but the more I watched her play, the more I knew I wanted her," remarked coach Cole. "Callie is a difference maker and a game changer."
Megal attends Brookfield East High School in Brookfield, Wisc. where she has put together an impressive three years for the Spartans batting over .460 with 7 home runs and 59 RBI. A 2014 Honorable Mention All-State Selection as well as a three-time First-Team All-Conference nominee, Megal has tremendous speed on the base paths totaling 52 steals and 102 runs. While not playing for her high school team, Megal plays her club softball for BATS Academy." Emma Megal is an exceptional hitter with big time speed. The first game I saw her play was at the ASA 16U-A National Championships in Salem, Virginia," said Cole. "She had two doubles and a grand slam home run."
Along with her softball accomplishments, Megal is a member of the National Honor Society and has been named to the High Honor Roll all three years of high school. " Emma is extremely athletic, very strong, and very talented. When they say good things come in small packages they're talking about Emma. She will make an immediate impact in our program."
Terry, the fourth signee in the class of 2015, is a native of Elberton, Ga. where she attends Elbert County Comprehensive High School. A four-year varsity starter and three-time All-Region selection, Terry plays her club softball for Georgia Power and Georgia Force where she has helped lead the team to the National Tournament in four consecutive years. " Devyn Terry is a pitcher whom we expect to make an immediate impact in our program. I saw her enter a game in relief at the ASA 16U-A National Championships with the bases loaded and nobody out and she struck out the side."
The daughter of Mike and Tanya Terry, Devyn intends to major in biology while at Gardner-Webb. "Her poise and determination, coupled with her talent and work ethic, makes for an exciting future for both Devyn Terry and the Gardner-Webb softball program."
The fifth member of the Gardner-Webb softball class of 2015 is Madi Lewis. Lewis is a three-year letterwinner in softball at Kennesaw Mountain High School and has led the Mustangs to the state playoffs all three-years, including a second place finish during her sophomore season. During the summer and fall seasons, Lewis plays her club softball for Premier Fastpitch. " Madi Lewis is an outfielder with a big stick. Everybody we talked to concerning her told us how talented a hitter she is….and they were all right," remarked Tom Cole. "She hits, and she hits with power."
A two-time recipient of Georgia's Most Positive Female High School Athlete Award, Lewis intends to major in sports management while playing for the Runnin' Bulldogs. " Madi is also a competitor, a winner, and an outstanding young lady. She has so much potential. We are very excited that she is coming to Gardner-Webb, and we cannot wait to get her here,"said Gardner-Webb head coach Tom Cole.
