Murray State University Athletics
Pyron Announces Final Three Softball Players From Early Signing Period
12/23/2008 6:00:00 AM | Softball
In his first attempt at recruiting as a head coach, Murray State Head Softball Coach Jay Pyron assembled a total of 14 athletes in a month during the early signing period. The final three players to sign National Letters of Intent to play with the Racers are:
2010 Signees
Starr Gilley,
Madeline Ratliff,
Taylor Wilson,
“I am happy to announce the final three players to sign in the early signing period,” Pyron said. “Taylor, Starr and Madi round out our first class as it stands right now. I am excited about all three and they will all be big parts of the program in different ways.”
Gilley has been a member of the Burlington Williams varsity squad for the last two seasons. In her first year with the Bulldogs she had a .553 batting averaging while being named team MVP.
“I feel the coaches and team of Murray State will benefit from Starr's passion and ability she gives to the game she loves,” said Greg Gulick, N.C. Rockers head coach. “Starr will be a great asset to any team with her very strong arm and powerful bat.”
While a member of the N.C. Rockers travel team, Gilley has helped them win several awards, including the N.C. 12 and under Pony Championship, 12 and under Snickers NSA National Invitational Championship, 14 and under N.C. ASA State Championship, and 16 and under N.C. State Games Championship.
“I decided to come to
“Starr has the ability to be dominant at this level,” said Pyron. “There are a lot of coaches who missed out on Starr and when the opportunity was there for us to get her, we jumped on it. Starr will make a big impact in the circle and with a bat in her hands. I am really glad that we have her and won't have to face her in the circle or the box.”
Ratliff is the fifth member of the first signing class to hail from the State of
“You will not find another player who works harder on her game than Madi does,” said Mike Mulhall head coach for Louisville Adreneline. “She'll push her teammates as hard as she pushes herself, but at the same time she'll make them laugh and feel like they've known her forever.”
Ratliff is an excellent student as well, earning the 2008 Kentucky Governor's Scholar award and All-State Academic First Team honors.
“It is exciting to be part of the first Racer softball team,” said Ratliff. “All doors are open for us next year. We get to establish the program and set a legacy for other players to follow.”
“Madi is a hitter. She takes great pride in what she does in the batter's box,” Pyron said. “When you are as passionate about hitting as I am, it is a joy to work with players who love it as much as her. She understands hitting and knows what it takes to do it well. I am excited to coach Madi because not only is she a student of the game but she is a well rounded person and is a great student in the classroom.”
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While no one knows what will be ahead for the Racer softball program it is clear that Pyron has worked hard in his first few months on the job to assemble a top-notch team for the first pitch in the 2009-10 campaign.
2010 Signing Class
Megan Belio,
Lauren Buch,
Christian Cox,
Stephanie Edwards,
Kaitlyn
Brittany Estes,
Starr Gilley,
Megan Glosser,
Stephanie Mattocks,
Madeline Ratliff,
Toree Rogers,
Chelsey Sullivan,
Ellyn Troup,
Taylor Wilson,
