Pyron Announces First Five Softball Recruits for 2010 Season

Starting a softball team from scratch can be difficult, but Murray State head softball coach Jay Pyron did not have any problems during the early signing period, as he had 14 student-athletes sign National Letter of Intents to play for the Racers in their inaugural 2010 season. The student-athletes will be announced over the next few weeks, with the first five below.

“I am excited about where we are in the building of the Racer Softball program,” said Pyron. “We weren't too sure how many players we were going to sign in the early signing period and I didn't anticipate signing this many but I feel very fortunate to be able to announce the players that we have at this point. I am not only happy with the talent level and competitiveness of this group but I am extremely happy with the kind of people that we have assembled.”

2010 Signing Class
Stephanie Edwards, Bowling Green, Ky. (Allen County)
Kaitlyn England, Springfield, Ill. (Glenwood)
Brittany Estes, Greensburg, Ky. (Green County)
Toree Rogers, Murray, Ky. (Calloway County)
Ellyn Troup, Placentia, Calif. (El Dorado)

Stephanie Edwards is currently a member of the Allen County varsity softball team since 2005 when she entered eighth grade. In the past four seasons Allen County has earned four District titles and been to the Regional Championship game three times, winning once. While in middle school Edwards also played softball at Greenwood High School, where she was part of the JV team in sixth grade and varsity team in seventh grade.

“Stephanie Edwards is a very strong softball player who loves to hit, and hit with power,” said Kerry Jolly, Kentucky Outlaws Club Team Head Coach. “She has an outstanding arm and can play the corners well.”

In the past two seasons Edwards has batted over .400, including a .434 mark her sophomore season. She has tallied 70 RBI's and 34 doubles in that span. For her efforts she was named to the 2007 All-District First Team and the 2007 and 2008 All-Region Second Team.

“I honestly could not have found a better university than MSU. I love the campus, the coach, and the idea of playing Division I softball,” said Edwards. “I also like the idea of getting to be part the first - the first home-run, the first OVC Championship ?everything. No matter how big or how small, each moment will be a first for the MSU softball program.”

“I am excited that Stephanie has decided to attend Murray State University and to be a part of our first softball team,” Pyron commented. “Stephanie is an outstanding student and is going to be a really fun player for me to coach. She is very talented and loves to play the game.”

Kaitlyn England heads to Murray from Glenwood High School in Springfield, Ill. England was a CS8 All-Conference honorable mention in 2007 and earned All-Conference honors in 2008.

“Murray State is getting a top notch player and person in Kaitlyn England,” said Vondel Edgar, Glenwood High School head softball coach. “She is a very hard worker and talented young lady. Kaitlyn is an outstanding receiver with the ability to make the whole pitching staff better with her knowledge and skills.”

England had the fifth-best hitting average (.418) in the CS8 conference as a junior, when she tallied 31 RBI's, 14 doubles and three triples. As a sophomore she recorded 28 hits in 88 at-bats, with nine doubles and 10 RBI's.

“I felt that coming to Murray State would put me in the best atmosphere to succeed as a student and as an athlete,” England said. “I also really liked Coach Pyron and his vision for the softball program.”

“Each player that we have will be able to be a part of something special and will play a role in establishing Racer softball, Kaitlyn was actually the first student-athlete to make an official visit to Murray State and I am glad that she chose to be a Racer,” said Pyron. “It's exciting as we go along to see how each player fits together and helps us pave the way for the future. Kaitlyn is a versatile player who can play almost anywhere on the field and I know she will help us in many ways.”

Brittany Estes has been a member of the Green County High School varsity softball team since her 8^th grade season. During her four seasons with the Dragons she has been part of a team that has advanced to the Kentucky District Finals all four years. The team finished second at the Kentucky All-A State Championships during her first season and they earned District Championships the next two seasons.

“Brittany is a great all-around player and has a great attitude,” said Joe Caldwell, Tennessee ISA Fastpitch coach. “I expect her to contribute a lot to the Racers.”

As a junior Estes was named an Academic All-State honorable mention and to the All-Region Team. She was also the Kentucky State Grand Slam Leader in 2008. Estes earned All-District Team honors as a freshman and sophomore.

“It is very exciting being a part of the new softball program,” Estes said. “I'm glad to be one of the ladies who helps build this softball team to a winning program.”

Estes was also a standout on the Dragons basketball team, which she has been a part of since her 7^th grade year. She was named to the All-District team as a sophomore when she was the team's leading rebounder and free-throw shooter.

“I am excited to see what Brittany can do as a Racer,” Pyron said. “She has incredible bat speed and I am very excited to work with her and to help her become a better hitter. She can really rip the bat through the zone and it should be a lot of fun working with her and seeing what she can do.”

Toree Rogers won't be traveling far from home, as she is a member of the Calloway County High School softball squad. Rogers has been a three-year starter for the Lakers and earned the 2007 and 2008 Outstanding Infield Awards at Calloway.

“We count on Toree to anchor our infield defense,” said Troy Webb, head softball at Calloway County High School. “She is a hard worker and gives her best effort each time she takes the field. But not only is Toree a great softball player she is a great student as well. She works hard in the classroom and she is a great role model for her teammates. Toree will be very successful in whatever she does because of her great work ethic.”

Rogers helped lead Lakers to the title game of the First Region tournament as a junior. The starting third baseman had 22 RBI, 20 stolen bases, one home run and a .970 fielding percentage.

“Since I was a kid, I have dreamed of the day that Murray State would begin a softball program, and it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of the very first team,” Rogers said. “I could not be more excited about helping to build a team and earn a great name for Murray State Softball.”

“Toree was the first recruit to step foot onto campus and I knew right away that I wanted her to be a part of the program. Toree is one of the most well-rounded individuals that I have recruited,” commented Pyron. “She is very intelligent, is a fun person to be around, and is a versatile athlete. She is involved with many activities outside of softball and I think that has helped her to become a better athlete. I know that the genesis of our softball program and being a Murray State Racer means as much to Toree as it does to anyone because she has grown up thinking that to play the game at the college level, she would have to leave Murray and to now be able to put on a Racer uniform is a special feeling for her.”

Ellyn Troup is coming to Murray State from the other side of the country, as she currently plays for El Dorado High School in Placentia, Calif. Troup has been a four-year starter for the Golden Hawks who have been to the Division II CIF State Tournament for the past three seasons, reaching the semifinals in 2006.

“Ellyn is a wonderful young lady that works very hard at becoming a better softball player everyday,” said Melissa Chavez, Girls' Athletic Director at El Dorado High School. “She displays great character, integrity and heart with everything she does on the field and in her studies.”

Troup has been named a Century League Scholar Athlete during her time at El Dorado and also played volleyball for the Golden Hawks. She will be the third person in her family to play softball at the collegiate level, as both her older sisters played softball. Erin played for North Dakota State University, and Emily is a senior at the University of North Carolina.

“Being a member of the new program at Murray is exciting. This first team will set the standard for Murray State Softball,” said Troup. “I will get to help build and strengthen the first softball program at Murray. Playing for a quality coach like Coach Pyron, will make this experience even better.”

“Ellyn is going to be an integral part of our success here at Murray State. When I watch Ellyn play the game, it becomes very clear that she is a player that will be a key to our success,” said Pyron. “She is very much a leader on the field and a player that takes charge and keeps other players focused on the task at hand. Ellyn has been playing at a high level for a long time and has two older sisters that have no doubt influenced her and helped her to understand what's important and how to be a team player. Ellyn is going to be a joy to coach, not only does she have all the ?intangibles' that a coach looks for, but she is a very talented player and can swing the bat well and is a fun person to be around.”

“Every player in this class enjoys playing the game and that is something that was a definite priority for me when we began putting this class together. I enjoy coaching softball and I want players in the program who love to play,” Pyron said. “I am proud of the players that will join us in this process and we are going to have a great time establishing traditions, competing at the highest level, becoming a team and creating something special that we, the university, the athletic department, the community and our families can be proud of.”

Murray State University Athletics

Pyron Announces First Five Softball Recruits for 2010 Season

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