Photo by: © Tim Cowie | GWUPhotos.com
Gardner-Webb Softball Announces Incoming Recruiting Class for 2017-2018
July 19, 2017 | Softball
BOILING SPRINGS – The Gardner-Webb softball program inked nine student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the Class of 2017 , establishing a strong foundation for the future of the program.
Head coach Tom Cole and his staff found great success recruiting up and down the east coast – signing five from North Carolina, two from Maryland and one each from Virginia and Pennsylvania.
"I am very excited about this year's recruiting class. We thought we were finished with the 2017 class when we had five players committed to us, but we kept seeing talented players who were also interested in Gardner-Webb," said head coach Tom Cole. "All nine of our signed recruits will have a positive impact on our program."
Joining the Runnin' Bulldogs are: middle infielder Jenna Wacaster (Shelby, N.C./Crest HS); third baseman Katheryn Stettler (Powhatan, Va./Homeschool); outfielder Katie Prebble (Pomfret, Maryland/St. Mary's Ryken HS); pitcher Laken Myers (Fayetteville, Pa./ Chambersburg HS); catcher Lauren Huffman (Morganton, N.C./South Caldwell HS); outfielder Lily Pressley (Dallas, N.C. / Lincoln Charter); outfielder Meredith Ferguson (Vale, N.C./West Lincoln HS); Infielder Trinity Sterrett (Bedford, IN/Menchville HS) and shortstop Weslyn Almond (Albemarle, N.C./North Stanly HS).
Each of the nine signees will hit the field for Gardner-Webb for the 2018 season.
Incoming Softball Recruit Bios
Weslyn Almond * 5-1 * SS * Albemarle, N.C. / North Stanley HS (Carolina Elite Pack)
Meredith Ferguson * 5-9 * OF * Vale, N.C. / West Lincoln HS (Carolina Curve)
Lauren Huffman * 5-4 * C * Morganton, N.C. / South Caldwell HS (Carolina Cobras)
Katie Prebble * 5-9 * OF * Pomfret, Md. / St. Mary's Ryken HS (Perfect Circle)
Lily Pressley * 5-7 * OF * Dallas, N.C. / Lincoln Charter (Carolina Curve)
Laken Meyers * 5-7 * P * Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Area HS (Lady Orioles Gold)
Trinity Sterrett * 5-3 * INF * Bedford, Ind. / Menchville HS (18U Orion Hunter)
Katheryn Stettler * 5-7 * 3B * Powhatan, Va. / Home School (Team SC)
Jenna Wacaster * 5-7 * INF • Shelby, N.C. / Crest HS (Carolina Curve)
Weslyn Almond * 5-1 * SS * Albemarle, N.C. / North Stanley HS (Carolina Elite Pack)
Played at North Stanly (N.C.) High under Coach Greg Speight … Three-sport All-Conference selection in volleyball, basketball and softball … Helped team to a state Class 1A runner up finish in 2016 … Earned team Best Defensive honor … Played club softball for the Carolina Elite-Pack and Coach M.K. Cheek.
Coach Cole on Almond: "Weslyn can do it all. She can play centerfield and both middle infield positions. She can hit for power and for percentage, and she has amazing speed. Weslyn came to one of our camps and made me want to go watch some of her games. The more I watched her the more I liked her. Weslyn is an outstanding athlete, and a person of good character and strong faith. I am very excited that Weslyn is coming to Gardner-Webb."
Meredith Ferguson * 5-9 * OF * Vale, N.C. / West Lincoln HS (Carolina Curve)
Played at West Lincoln (N.C.) High under Coach Tyler Sain … Earned All-State honors as a junior … Three-time All-Conference … An All-Area selection by the Gaston Gazette in 2016 … Helped team to a state runner up finish as a junior … Two-time All-District … Batted .462 with five home runs and 38 RBI in 2016 … Collected 42 hits and scored 30 runs … Batted .384 as a sophomore and .419 as a freshman … Played club softball for the Carolina Curve and Coach David Wacaster.
Coach Cole on Ferguson: "Meredith came to one of our camps when she was about 10 years old. She's a very good athlete with a great attitude. Meredith plays first base and she hits with power. She's also a tremendous competitor. Meredith's personality, attitude, competitiveness and talent are all reasons why I am glad that she's going to be a Runnin' Bulldog."
Lauren Huffman * 5-4 * C * Morganton, N.C. / South Caldwell HS (Carolina Cobras)
Played at South Caldwell (N.C.) High under Coach Casey Justice … Earned All-Conference and All-District honors as a junior … Also an All-Conference choice as a sophomore … Batted .400 with nine home runs and 45 RBI in 2016 … Collected 40 hits … Batted .370 with six home runs and 32 RBI in 2015 … Batted .400 as a freshman in 2014 … Played club softball for the Carolina Cobras and Coach Byron York.
Coach Cole on Huffman: "Lauren is a catcher/third baseman who has a good arm and a big stick. She's smart, talented, competitive, and works very hard. She also has a great sense of humor and is very coachable. The fact that she can play third base and catch definitely makes her an asset. We all look forward to having Lauren join the program."
Laken Meyers * 5-7 * P * Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Area HS (Lady Orioles Gold)
Played at Chambersburg Area (Pa.) High under Coach Christian Skuletety … Four-year starter … Earned honorable mention All-State honors as a junior … Two-time All-Conference selection … Went 12-2 with a 1.84 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 94.1 innings of work in 2016 … Also batted .333 … Helped team advance to the Class 4A State Semifinals … Played club softball for the Lady Orioles Gold and Coach Randy Mohr.
Coach Cole on Myers: "The first time I saw Laken pitch was July, 2015 when I was in Salem, Oregon at the ASA 16U Gold Nationals. She then came to one of our camps and impressed me even more. Laken has a great attitude, works hard, and can get people out. I really like her attitude on the mound. She competes, and she competes, and she competes some more. Laken is mentally tough. I believe that she will have an immediate impact in the program."
Katie Prebble * 5-9 * OF * Pomfret, Md. / St. Mary's Ryken HS (Perfect Circle)
Played at St. Mary's Ryken (Md.) High under Coaches Jim Sewell and Megan Elliott … Helped team to a pair of WCAC championships … An All-Met selection by the Washington Post as a junior … A three-time All-County and All-Conference selection … Batted .543 with six home runs and 42 RBI as a junior … Also scored 32 runs and forged a .585 on base percentage … Led the state with a 1.042 slugging percentage and was in the top-10 in Maryland in six different offensive categories … Also played soccer and earned team MVP honors in 2016 … Played club softball for Perfect Circle.
Coach Cole on Prebble: "Katie can play first base and the outfield. She is strong, athletic and can hit, plus she has a good arm, a good glove and deceptive speed. I love Katie's attitude and personality. She's positive, outgoing, and truly wants to compete. I look forward to Katie's arrival as she will definitely help Gardner-Webb get to where we want to be."
Lily Pressley * 5-7 * OF * Dallas, N.C. / Lincoln Charter (Carolina Curve)
Played at Lincoln Charter (N.C.) School … Enters senior season with a .384 average, 66 hits, 24 RBI and 70 runs scored in 52 games … Has stolen 20 bases during that same span … Holds a .483 on base percentage and a .470 slugging percentage … Has fielded .967 … Named team MVP as a junior … Played club softball for the Carolina Curve and Coach David Wacaster.
Coach Cole on Pressley: Lily is an outfielder with good speed. She's a lefty slapper who will be able to set the table and steal bases. Lily is very quiet, but very determined. We have enjoyed working with Lily at our camps and clinics, and we are excited at the potential that she has. We are very glad that Lily has chosen Gardner-Webb."
Trinity Sterrett * 5-3 * INF * Bedford, Ind. / Menchville (Va.) HS (18U Orion Hunter)
Played at Menchville (Va.) High under Coach TImothy Dragone … A two-time All-Conference selection, earning first-team honors at second base in 2015 and honorable mention at shortstop in 2016 … Batted .412 with a .583 on base percentage in 2016 … Batted a sizzling .624 with a .691 on base percentage as a sophomore … Played club softball for 18U Orion Hunter and Coaches Chris Smith and Rob Matkins.
Coach Cole on Sterrett: "Trinity is a second baseman/shortstop who is both quick and fast. She is a very talented slapper who can also steal bases. I saw her travel team play at three different tournaments this past summer and each time I saw her play she impressed me. Trinity will definitely be an asset to the team."
Katheryn Stettler * 5-7 * 3B * Powhatan, Va. / Home School (Team SC-Majeski)
Played club softball for Team SC-Majeski under Coach Dave Majeski.
Coach Cole on Stettler: "Katie is a shortstop, third baseman and outfielder. She has a good arm, good range and a good stick. Katie is a good athlete who can legitimately play all three positions. I saw her late in the recruiting process, and I am very excited that she has chosen Gardner-Webb."
Jenna Wacaster * 5-7 * INF • Shelby, N.C. / Crest HS (Carolina Curve)
Played at Crest (N.C.) High under Coach Greg Earl … Three-time All-Conference and All-District selection … A two-time All-State performer … Earned All-State honors in 2016 after batting .372 with three home runs and 30 runs scored … Collected 29 hits for the Chargers in 2016 … Batted .360 as sophomore with three home runs to earn All-Conference and All-District honors … Also named Team Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 … An All-State, All-District and All-Conference choice as a freshman in 2014 after batting .333 with a pair of home runs … Named the Chargers' Offensive Player of the Year … Played club softball for the Carolina Curve and Coach David Wacaster … Batted .426 last season with six home runs and 54 RBI for the Curve.
Coach Cole on Wacaster: "Jenna is a talented shortstop who can also play second base and in the outfield. She is the sister of Kaylee Wacaster (sophomore who started in LF as a freshman). Jenna is a good hitter with home run power, who knows the game, is very consistent and is aware of what it takes to be a Division I student-athlete. Her work ethic and desire will take her a long way. I am very happy that Jenna will be wearing the red and black."
Head coach Tom Cole and his staff found great success recruiting up and down the east coast – signing five from North Carolina, two from Maryland and one each from Virginia and Pennsylvania.
"I am very excited about this year's recruiting class. We thought we were finished with the 2017 class when we had five players committed to us, but we kept seeing talented players who were also interested in Gardner-Webb," said head coach Tom Cole. "All nine of our signed recruits will have a positive impact on our program."
Joining the Runnin' Bulldogs are: middle infielder Jenna Wacaster (Shelby, N.C./Crest HS); third baseman Katheryn Stettler (Powhatan, Va./Homeschool); outfielder Katie Prebble (Pomfret, Maryland/St. Mary's Ryken HS); pitcher Laken Myers (Fayetteville, Pa./ Chambersburg HS); catcher Lauren Huffman (Morganton, N.C./South Caldwell HS); outfielder Lily Pressley (Dallas, N.C. / Lincoln Charter); outfielder Meredith Ferguson (Vale, N.C./West Lincoln HS); Infielder Trinity Sterrett (Bedford, IN/Menchville HS) and shortstop Weslyn Almond (Albemarle, N.C./North Stanly HS).
Each of the nine signees will hit the field for Gardner-Webb for the 2018 season.
Incoming Softball Recruit Bios
Weslyn Almond * 5-1 * SS * Albemarle, N.C. / North Stanley HS (Carolina Elite Pack)
Meredith Ferguson * 5-9 * OF * Vale, N.C. / West Lincoln HS (Carolina Curve)
Lauren Huffman * 5-4 * C * Morganton, N.C. / South Caldwell HS (Carolina Cobras)
Katie Prebble * 5-9 * OF * Pomfret, Md. / St. Mary's Ryken HS (Perfect Circle)
Lily Pressley * 5-7 * OF * Dallas, N.C. / Lincoln Charter (Carolina Curve)
Laken Meyers * 5-7 * P * Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Area HS (Lady Orioles Gold)
Trinity Sterrett * 5-3 * INF * Bedford, Ind. / Menchville HS (18U Orion Hunter)
Katheryn Stettler * 5-7 * 3B * Powhatan, Va. / Home School (Team SC)
Jenna Wacaster * 5-7 * INF • Shelby, N.C. / Crest HS (Carolina Curve)
Weslyn Almond * 5-1 * SS * Albemarle, N.C. / North Stanley HS (Carolina Elite Pack)
Played at North Stanly (N.C.) High under Coach Greg Speight … Three-sport All-Conference selection in volleyball, basketball and softball … Helped team to a state Class 1A runner up finish in 2016 … Earned team Best Defensive honor … Played club softball for the Carolina Elite-Pack and Coach M.K. Cheek.
Coach Cole on Almond: "Weslyn can do it all. She can play centerfield and both middle infield positions. She can hit for power and for percentage, and she has amazing speed. Weslyn came to one of our camps and made me want to go watch some of her games. The more I watched her the more I liked her. Weslyn is an outstanding athlete, and a person of good character and strong faith. I am very excited that Weslyn is coming to Gardner-Webb."
Meredith Ferguson * 5-9 * OF * Vale, N.C. / West Lincoln HS (Carolina Curve)
Played at West Lincoln (N.C.) High under Coach Tyler Sain … Earned All-State honors as a junior … Three-time All-Conference … An All-Area selection by the Gaston Gazette in 2016 … Helped team to a state runner up finish as a junior … Two-time All-District … Batted .462 with five home runs and 38 RBI in 2016 … Collected 42 hits and scored 30 runs … Batted .384 as a sophomore and .419 as a freshman … Played club softball for the Carolina Curve and Coach David Wacaster.
Coach Cole on Ferguson: "Meredith came to one of our camps when she was about 10 years old. She's a very good athlete with a great attitude. Meredith plays first base and she hits with power. She's also a tremendous competitor. Meredith's personality, attitude, competitiveness and talent are all reasons why I am glad that she's going to be a Runnin' Bulldog."
Lauren Huffman * 5-4 * C * Morganton, N.C. / South Caldwell HS (Carolina Cobras)
Played at South Caldwell (N.C.) High under Coach Casey Justice … Earned All-Conference and All-District honors as a junior … Also an All-Conference choice as a sophomore … Batted .400 with nine home runs and 45 RBI in 2016 … Collected 40 hits … Batted .370 with six home runs and 32 RBI in 2015 … Batted .400 as a freshman in 2014 … Played club softball for the Carolina Cobras and Coach Byron York.
Coach Cole on Huffman: "Lauren is a catcher/third baseman who has a good arm and a big stick. She's smart, talented, competitive, and works very hard. She also has a great sense of humor and is very coachable. The fact that she can play third base and catch definitely makes her an asset. We all look forward to having Lauren join the program."
Laken Meyers * 5-7 * P * Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Area HS (Lady Orioles Gold)
Played at Chambersburg Area (Pa.) High under Coach Christian Skuletety … Four-year starter … Earned honorable mention All-State honors as a junior … Two-time All-Conference selection … Went 12-2 with a 1.84 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 94.1 innings of work in 2016 … Also batted .333 … Helped team advance to the Class 4A State Semifinals … Played club softball for the Lady Orioles Gold and Coach Randy Mohr.
Coach Cole on Myers: "The first time I saw Laken pitch was July, 2015 when I was in Salem, Oregon at the ASA 16U Gold Nationals. She then came to one of our camps and impressed me even more. Laken has a great attitude, works hard, and can get people out. I really like her attitude on the mound. She competes, and she competes, and she competes some more. Laken is mentally tough. I believe that she will have an immediate impact in the program."
Katie Prebble * 5-9 * OF * Pomfret, Md. / St. Mary's Ryken HS (Perfect Circle)
Played at St. Mary's Ryken (Md.) High under Coaches Jim Sewell and Megan Elliott … Helped team to a pair of WCAC championships … An All-Met selection by the Washington Post as a junior … A three-time All-County and All-Conference selection … Batted .543 with six home runs and 42 RBI as a junior … Also scored 32 runs and forged a .585 on base percentage … Led the state with a 1.042 slugging percentage and was in the top-10 in Maryland in six different offensive categories … Also played soccer and earned team MVP honors in 2016 … Played club softball for Perfect Circle.
Coach Cole on Prebble: "Katie can play first base and the outfield. She is strong, athletic and can hit, plus she has a good arm, a good glove and deceptive speed. I love Katie's attitude and personality. She's positive, outgoing, and truly wants to compete. I look forward to Katie's arrival as she will definitely help Gardner-Webb get to where we want to be."
Lily Pressley * 5-7 * OF * Dallas, N.C. / Lincoln Charter (Carolina Curve)
Played at Lincoln Charter (N.C.) School … Enters senior season with a .384 average, 66 hits, 24 RBI and 70 runs scored in 52 games … Has stolen 20 bases during that same span … Holds a .483 on base percentage and a .470 slugging percentage … Has fielded .967 … Named team MVP as a junior … Played club softball for the Carolina Curve and Coach David Wacaster.
Coach Cole on Pressley: Lily is an outfielder with good speed. She's a lefty slapper who will be able to set the table and steal bases. Lily is very quiet, but very determined. We have enjoyed working with Lily at our camps and clinics, and we are excited at the potential that she has. We are very glad that Lily has chosen Gardner-Webb."
Trinity Sterrett * 5-3 * INF * Bedford, Ind. / Menchville (Va.) HS (18U Orion Hunter)
Played at Menchville (Va.) High under Coach TImothy Dragone … A two-time All-Conference selection, earning first-team honors at second base in 2015 and honorable mention at shortstop in 2016 … Batted .412 with a .583 on base percentage in 2016 … Batted a sizzling .624 with a .691 on base percentage as a sophomore … Played club softball for 18U Orion Hunter and Coaches Chris Smith and Rob Matkins.
Coach Cole on Sterrett: "Trinity is a second baseman/shortstop who is both quick and fast. She is a very talented slapper who can also steal bases. I saw her travel team play at three different tournaments this past summer and each time I saw her play she impressed me. Trinity will definitely be an asset to the team."
Katheryn Stettler * 5-7 * 3B * Powhatan, Va. / Home School (Team SC-Majeski)
Played club softball for Team SC-Majeski under Coach Dave Majeski.
Coach Cole on Stettler: "Katie is a shortstop, third baseman and outfielder. She has a good arm, good range and a good stick. Katie is a good athlete who can legitimately play all three positions. I saw her late in the recruiting process, and I am very excited that she has chosen Gardner-Webb."
Jenna Wacaster * 5-7 * INF • Shelby, N.C. / Crest HS (Carolina Curve)
Played at Crest (N.C.) High under Coach Greg Earl … Three-time All-Conference and All-District selection … A two-time All-State performer … Earned All-State honors in 2016 after batting .372 with three home runs and 30 runs scored … Collected 29 hits for the Chargers in 2016 … Batted .360 as sophomore with three home runs to earn All-Conference and All-District honors … Also named Team Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 … An All-State, All-District and All-Conference choice as a freshman in 2014 after batting .333 with a pair of home runs … Named the Chargers' Offensive Player of the Year … Played club softball for the Carolina Curve and Coach David Wacaster … Batted .426 last season with six home runs and 54 RBI for the Curve.
Coach Cole on Wacaster: "Jenna is a talented shortstop who can also play second base and in the outfield. She is the sister of Kaylee Wacaster (sophomore who started in LF as a freshman). Jenna is a good hitter with home run power, who knows the game, is very consistent and is aware of what it takes to be a Division I student-athlete. Her work ethic and desire will take her a long way. I am very happy that Jenna will be wearing the red and black."
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball No videos available.
