Pyron Signs Adds Three More to Inaugural Signing Class

When looking to fill in all the pieces of a brand new softball program, Murray State Head Softball Coach Jay Pyron looked for the players that would make the most well-rounded and stable team. The signing group of Megan Belio, Lauren Buch, and Christian Cox are all pieces to that puzzle.

“Christian, Lauren and Megan are a great addition to the Racer program and will bring a lot of stability up the middle of the field,” said Pyron.

2010 Signees

Megan Belio, Lemon Grove, Calif. (Granite Hills)

Lauren Buch, Sparta, Ill. (Sparta/John A. Logan College)

Christian Cox, Hodgenville, Ky. (LaRue County)

Belio has been a member of the Granite Hills varsity softball team for the past four years, and has already earned three all-league honors. A year ago she helped lead the Eagles to a CIF Division I championship and a 25-7 overall record.

“Megan is the type of player that is a joy to coach,” said San Diego Renegads coach Michael Fox. “She enjoys the game, plays at full speed, and is a great teammate.”

Belio has also been a standout on the Eagles volleyball squad. In 2006 she was named the Defensive Player of the Year for her efforts.

“Not many people can say that they were part of the first team at a school in any sport,” Belio said. “It's something that I will always remember.”

“Megan is coming to us from San Diego and she will be a very exciting player to watch and to coach. Megan knows how to get on base, not only can she run really well but she has excellent bat control,” Pyron said. “Megan is another player who absolutely loves to play the game of softball. She has a great time playing and I am always excited to coach players who are excited about the opportunity to compete.”

Buch becomes the fourth member of the 2009-10 Racers from the state of Illinois and the third from a junior college. In 2008 she helped John A. Logan College to a 29-9 record, while earning GRAC All-Conference, All-Tournament, and NFCA/NJCAA Louisville Slugger All-Region Second Team honors.

“Lauren in a competitor,” said Bruce Jilek, head softball coach at John A. Logan College. “She is a versatile player who will help in many areas.”

While at John A. Logan, Buch earned the 10th highest batting averaging in the NJCAA (.513) as a freshman. She also tallied seven home runs and 33 RBIs.

“I am excited about the challenge of jumping right into the season and competing with other school's with programs that have been around longer and have more experience,” Buch said.

Before joining the John A. Logan team, Buch was a four year members of the Sparta High School squad. The Bulldogs earned a SIRR conference and regional championship in 2004. Buch was a four-year member of the All-SIRR First Team and three-year member of the All-South First Team. She ended her senior campaign with a .411 batting average, .742 slugging percentage, 10 home runs and 23 RBIs.

“Lauren is coming of an outstanding year at John A. Logan College,” said Pyron. “One of her biggest strengths is how well she understands hitting. Lauren is very tough mentally and there is no doubt that she can play at a high level. Not only can Lauren hit, but she is also smooth with the glove.”

Cox has been a five-year member of the LaRue County varsity team. In 2004 she was named the Newcomer of the Year and then earned her first All-5^th Region Team honor the following year when LaRue County advanced to the state tournament.

“Christian is a hard nosed, athletic middle infielder, who comes ready to play every out of every game,” Kerry Jolly, Kentucky Outlaws Club Team Head Coach. “She is focused on every pitch, whether in the field or at the plate.”

Cox also earned All-5^th Region Team honors in 2007 after making the All-18^th District team in 2006 and again in 2008. In her final season as a prep she was named a Class 2A All-State Honorable Mention.

“I'm looking forward to competing in the Ohio Valley Conference and hopefully building an elite program that others will want to follow,” Cox said.

Cox will have a familiar face in the dugout when she comes to Murray State, as she has been playing on the Kentucky Outlaws Club Team with fellow signee Stephanie Edwards. She will also fit in well with the Racers commitment to not only academic and athletics, but community service as well. Cox is on the Student Council, and participates in several clubs while maintaining a A/B average to be a member of the A/B Honor Roll.

“Christian is an athletic, versatile player who will be able to help us all over the field. She has spent a lot of time in the middle infield,” said Pyron. “Christian is not a flashy player, she is very steady and finds a way to get the job done. Christian will be a joy to coach and I am glad she chose Murray State.”

Belio, Busch, and Cox join Edwards, Kaitlyn England, Brittany Estes, Megan Glosser, Stephanie Mattocks, Toree Rogers, Chelsey Sullivan, Ellyn Troup, and several more to be announced over the coming weeks as the first signing class for the Racer softball program.

2010 Signing Class

Megan Belio, Lemon Grove, Calif. (Granite Hills)

Lauren Buch, Sparta, Ill. (Sparta/John A. Logan College)

Christian Cox, Hodgenville, Ky. (LaRue County)

Stephanie Edwards, Bowling Green, Ky. (Allen County)

Kaitlyn England, Springfield, Ill. (Glenwood)

Brittany Estes, Greensburg, Ky. (Green County)

Megan Glosser, Mattoon, Ill. (Lake Land College/Mattoon)

Stephanie Mattocks, Momence, Ill. (Lake Land College/Momence Community)

Toree Rogers, Murray, Ky. (Calloway County)

Chelsey Sullivan, Shelbyville, Ill. (Lake Land College/Casey-Westfield)

Ellyn Troup, Placentia, Calif. (El Dorado)

Murray State University Athletics

Pyron Signs Adds Three More to Inaugural Signing Class

Related News

Related Videos