BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.  – Gardner-Webb Head Softball Coach Bailey Wigness announced the signing of eight newcomers on Friday, November 10.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs welcomes eight freshmen in Anna Hornbaker, Raigan Kelley, Hannah Frye, Callen Saxon, Lily Barry, Cora Levy, Lauren Spainhower, and Madden McMahan-Waters to the program for the 2024 class.
 
"This is a very dynamic class for us," said Head Coach Bailey Wigness. "Each of our eight signees brings something unique to the program. They will all make a positive impact in their time here as we continue to build this program."
 
Hornbaker comes to Gardner-Webb from Berryville, Virginia. During the right-hander's time at Clarke County High School under head coach Darren Lambert, she has made 1st Team All-District twice, 1st Team All-Region twice, 1st Team All-Valley in 2023, 2nd Team All-Valley in 2022, and a Co-MVP her 2023 season. With the Eagles, she hit .486 with a .549 on-base percentage and on the mound, she struck out 211 batters. Hornbaker also plays club softball for Mizuno Virginia where she has thrown 270 innings with 314 strikeouts and an earned run average of 3.1.
 
Wigness On Hornbaker: "Anna is a spin doctor and moves the ball extremely well through the zone. She is a great teammate and embodies what's important to us in this program. She is a great addition to our program and our pitching staff."
 
Raigan Kelley comes to GWU from Moseley, Virginia. During Kelley's time at Lake James River High School, Kelley has been a three-year letterman, led her team in multiple hitting categories her freshman season, and an MVP her last two seasons. This past summer season she finished with a .939 fielding percentage.
 
Wigness on Kelley: "Raigan is a blue-collar athlete that will set the standard for our program. She is tough, steady, and as reliable as they come. She is a great addition to our program and we could not be more excited to begin working with her next fall."
 
Hannah Frye joins the 'Dogs all the way from Kingsport, Tennessee, where she pitches at Dobyns-Bennett High School for four years under head coach Andy Hubbard. During Frye's high school career, she's won the 2023 Conference and team Defensive Player of the Year, made All-Conference three times, 2022 All-Tournament Team, and the 2022 Team Best All Around Player award.
 
Wigness on Frye: "Hannah has experience pitching against some of the top teams in the nation. That experience and the tools she has physically will make her very tough in the circle next year. We are so happy she chose Gardner-Webb as her home."
 
Callen Saxon joins GWU from Easley, South Carolina, where she plays outfield at Easley High School, playing for head coach Rebecca Staton. Saxon is a six-year letterman of Easley High School, including a starter on their region and district championship team. She has a stolen base percentage of 100.0 and average on-base percentage of .400 over last two years. Saxon was also a USA Softball All-American representing the state of South Carolina.
 
Wigness on Saxon: "Both of Callen's parents were student-athletes here at Gardner-Webb and we are so thrilled Callen chose to be a Runnin' Bulldog as well. She has tremendous power potential and has a great work ethic. We are so excited to welcome her to the family."
 
Lily Barry comes to Boiling Springs from Springfield, Virginia, where she plays catcher/corner at South County High School as a four-year varsity starter under head coach Brian Griffith. During Barry's time at South County, she has been named scholar athlete each year, first team All-District and All-Region in her junior year, and second team All-District her freshman and sophomore year. She just finished 16u travel ball with a .383 batting average and a fielding percentage of .979.
 
Wigness on Barry: "Lily is a solid player on both sides of the ball. What jumps out about her is her team first mentality and how coachable she is. She will thrive in our program with those characteristics. We are thankful she chose GW."
 
Cora Levy will join Gardner-Webb from Castlewood, Virginia, where she plays catcher for Easley High School under head coach Rebecca Staton. Levy is a six-year letterman, including a starter on their region and district championship team with fellow signee Callen Saxon. She averaged a .317 slugging percentage and an average .395 on-base percentage last high school season.
 
Wigness on Levy: "Cora is the right fit to continue to build our program's culture. She will live up to our standards every day and will set the example for everyone who comes through this program. I could not be more thrilled to have her join us next fall."
 
Lauren Spainhower comes to Gardner-Webb all the way from Knoxville, Tennessee. The pitcher/outfielder plays at Bearden High School under head coach Kenneth Boles. Spainhower has been a four-year varsity starter, a three-time 4.0 GPA award, a two-time All-District Award, an All-Tournament Award, pitched a perfect game against district opponent- the first in Bearden High School history. In the summer, she appeared at the plate 81 times, with a .431 batting average, an on-base + slugging percentage (OPS) of .995, and a fielding percentage of 1.000.
 
Wigness on Spainhower: "Lauren is one of the most fun athletes I have watched. Her competitiveness and passion for the game is obvious and it's contagious to her teammates. There is no ceiling for her and we can't wait to see all that she can accomplish here."
 
Madden McMahan-Waters comes to Gardner-Webb from Cornelius, North Carolina, where she plays first base at Hough High School under head coach Michael Connally. Wayland earned the Hot Stove Golden Glove Award, Queen City Conference Player of the Year, and All Charlotte Observer First Team. McMahan-Waters also bated .600 her junior year at the plate.
 
Wigness on McMahan Waters: "Madden has been really fun to watch develop throughout the recruiting process. She gets better and better every time we see her. She will bring a lot of pop to our lineup and we are glad she is a Dawg."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs softball team looks to make strides in their third season under coach Wigness. To support the Gardner-Webb softball team, fans can join the Bulldog Club at gwusports.com. Fans can also follow the GWU softball action on social media on X at @GWUSoftball or on Instagram at @gwusoftball.