Troy University Athletics
Trojan Softball Inks Five
11/18/2011 9:04:00 AM | Softball
TROY, Ala. – With the completion of this week's early signing period, the Troy softball program is proud to announce that five young student-athletes have signed to play with Troy and will soon become Trojans.
Head coach Melanie Davis and assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Sharon O'Mara are proud to announce the signing of Chandler Griffin, Keelie Housley, Rachel Rigney, Brittany Russ and Amanda Winters.
“We are extremely pleased with the talent, character, work ethic and academic strength of this recruiting class,” Davis said. “They all bring important qualities to the program and each will fill important needs for us immediately. I consider every one as potential 'immediate impact player'.
“I am also pleased that every signee is from our immediate region. That speaks volumes as to the successful development of our great game in the south in recent years.”
The class includes three signees from the state of Alabama and two from Georgia.
Head coach Melanie Davis and assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Sharon O'Mara are proud to announce the signing of Chandler Griffin, Keelie Housley, Rachel Rigney, Brittany Russ and Amanda Winters.
“We are extremely pleased with the talent, character, work ethic and academic strength of this recruiting class,” Davis said. “They all bring important qualities to the program and each will fill important needs for us immediately. I consider every one as potential 'immediate impact player'.
“I am also pleased that every signee is from our immediate region. That speaks volumes as to the successful development of our great game in the south in recent years.”
The class includes three signees from the state of Alabama and two from Georgia.
CHANDLER GRIFFIN
Griffin comes to Troy after starting for four years at Mill Creek High School in Dacula, Ga. As a senior, Griffin hit .419 with 62 hits, seven home runs and 43 RBI while leading Mill Creek to a 5A State Championships. She was named All-State, All-Region and All-County that season.
She also earned All-Region and All-County honors as a sophomore and junior.
Griffin currently plays travel ball for the Atlanta Vipers 18 Gold team. She was also a member of the East Cobb Bullets who won the 18 Gold ASA National Championship in 2010. Chandler is the daughter of Kelley and Chris Griffin, with Kelley being a Troy alum.
“I Chose Troy because everything about it made feel right at home,” Griffin said. “I absolutely loved the campus and the small-town feel that came with it. I wanted to compete at the highest level and earn a college degree. I knew that I wanted to attend Troy the moment I stepped on campus.”
KEELIE HOUSLEY
C/3B – Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Tuscaloosa County HS
Housley comes to Troy from Tuscaloosa County High School, the former school of current Trojan Ashley Rainey. Housley plays catcher and third base for Tuscaloosa County and will look to build on some impressive numbers this coming spring in her senior season.
Last season as a junior, she hit .404 with 13 home runs, 21 doubles, 76 hits and 10 stolen bases. Housley was named to the AHSAA North All-Star team and was also an All-State selection. She was also named to the Gulf Shores Classic and Area Tournament All-Tournament teams.
As a sophomore, she hit .376 with seven home runs, 12 doubles and 10 more stolen bases while again being named to the Area Tournament All-Tournament team.
Housley currently plays travel ball for the Alabama Twisters and is the daughter of Amy and Shance Housley.
“I chose Troy because it is a comforting campus that made me feel right at home,” Housley said. “The facilities are outstanding, the coaches are very caring and I feel that they are willing to do anything and everything to not only make me a better player, but a better person as well. The team was also very welcoming and made me feel like I was part of the team already. I would like to thank Coach Davis and Coach O'Mara for giving me the chance to be a Trojan. I am so happy with my decision and cannot wait to play for Troy.”
RACHEL RIGNEY
P/OF – Alabaster, Ala. – Thompson HS
Rigney comes to Troy from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala, where she has lettered and pitched since the eighth grade. In 2011 as a junior she was named the Shelby County Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year. That season she helped lead Thompson to the 6A Area 10 Championship while earning All-State honors. She was also named All-Metro and All-County as a pitcher
The Birmingham News named Rigney one of their Top Pitchers in Shelby County while she earned Thompson High School MVP honors.
In 2010 as a sophomore, she also earned All-County honors and was named Thompson's Defensive Player of the Year.
Rigney currently plays travel ball for the Birmingham Bandits and is the daughter of Tracey and Rusty Rigney.
“I love the atmosphere of the school and the softball family at Troy,” Rigney said. “When I got on campus, I could tell that Troy was where I wanted to be. I have been dreaming about playing softball at Troy for a long time so this is really a dream come true.”
BRITTANY RUSS
C/1B – Phenix City, Ala. – Central High School
Russ comes to Troy as the first Division I signee in Central High School's softball history. She has been the varsity catcher since eighth grade when she threw out 85 percent of runners trying to steal base. In 2010 and 2011 she was selected to the Bi-City Team and as a sophomore was named the Bi-City Player of the Year.
That season she hit .485 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI. As a junior she hit .293 with seven doubles and six home runs. She was named Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and as a junior.
Brittany is the daughter of Velinda Russ.
“I chose Troy because they have a great pre-vet program,” Russ said. “Their softball is very competitive, which I love, and the coaching is phenomenal! The team is so welcoming. As soon as I set foot on the field for camps, it was all about the camper's needs, and the things they could do to help us.”
“I feel like Troy was everything I was looking for in a college. I have always wanted to take my game to the next level and I feel at Troy not only will I improve my game, but I will also learn the skills to become a better person. I love the way they offer so much to the student-athletes.”
“I like that they are a very organized program and that they strive for success. Win or lose, you can tell they are just like a happy family together. That's what I wanted, somewhere I loved and felt at home, and Troy gave me exactly what I was looking for.”
AMANDA WINTERS
OF/P – McDonough, Ga. – Locust Grove HS
Winters come to Troy from Locust Grove High School in McDonough, Ga. where she was an All-State selection in 2011. That season she was also earned All-Region honors and was named the Region Pitcher and Player of the Year.
In 2010, Winters was also named to the All-Region First Team as a pitcher. She has twice been named Locust Grove's Offensive Player of the Year.
Winters plays travel ball for the Georgia Fire and is the daughter of Harold and Gay Winters.
“I chose Troy because I love how it is a big college in a small town,” Winter said. “Troy loves it's athletics and has a perfect balance between that and academics. I love where the softball program is at and where it is going. It just felt right the first time I stepped on campus.”
For more updates on Troy Athletics, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @TroyAthletics.
She also earned All-Region and All-County honors as a sophomore and junior.
Griffin currently plays travel ball for the Atlanta Vipers 18 Gold team. She was also a member of the East Cobb Bullets who won the 18 Gold ASA National Championship in 2010. Chandler is the daughter of Kelley and Chris Griffin, with Kelley being a Troy alum.
“I Chose Troy because everything about it made feel right at home,” Griffin said. “I absolutely loved the campus and the small-town feel that came with it. I wanted to compete at the highest level and earn a college degree. I knew that I wanted to attend Troy the moment I stepped on campus.”
KEELIE HOUSLEY
Housley comes to Troy from Tuscaloosa County High School, the former school of current Trojan Ashley Rainey. Housley plays catcher and third base for Tuscaloosa County and will look to build on some impressive numbers this coming spring in her senior season.
Last season as a junior, she hit .404 with 13 home runs, 21 doubles, 76 hits and 10 stolen bases. Housley was named to the AHSAA North All-Star team and was also an All-State selection. She was also named to the Gulf Shores Classic and Area Tournament All-Tournament teams.
As a sophomore, she hit .376 with seven home runs, 12 doubles and 10 more stolen bases while again being named to the Area Tournament All-Tournament team.
Housley currently plays travel ball for the Alabama Twisters and is the daughter of Amy and Shance Housley.
“I chose Troy because it is a comforting campus that made me feel right at home,” Housley said. “The facilities are outstanding, the coaches are very caring and I feel that they are willing to do anything and everything to not only make me a better player, but a better person as well. The team was also very welcoming and made me feel like I was part of the team already. I would like to thank Coach Davis and Coach O'Mara for giving me the chance to be a Trojan. I am so happy with my decision and cannot wait to play for Troy.”
RACHEL RIGNEY
Rigney comes to Troy from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala, where she has lettered and pitched since the eighth grade. In 2011 as a junior she was named the Shelby County Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year. That season she helped lead Thompson to the 6A Area 10 Championship while earning All-State honors. She was also named All-Metro and All-County as a pitcher
The Birmingham News named Rigney one of their Top Pitchers in Shelby County while she earned Thompson High School MVP honors.
In 2010 as a sophomore, she also earned All-County honors and was named Thompson's Defensive Player of the Year.
Rigney currently plays travel ball for the Birmingham Bandits and is the daughter of Tracey and Rusty Rigney.
“I love the atmosphere of the school and the softball family at Troy,” Rigney said. “When I got on campus, I could tell that Troy was where I wanted to be. I have been dreaming about playing softball at Troy for a long time so this is really a dream come true.”
BRITTANY RUSS
Russ comes to Troy as the first Division I signee in Central High School's softball history. She has been the varsity catcher since eighth grade when she threw out 85 percent of runners trying to steal base. In 2010 and 2011 she was selected to the Bi-City Team and as a sophomore was named the Bi-City Player of the Year.
That season she hit .485 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI. As a junior she hit .293 with seven doubles and six home runs. She was named Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and as a junior.
Brittany is the daughter of Velinda Russ.
“I chose Troy because they have a great pre-vet program,” Russ said. “Their softball is very competitive, which I love, and the coaching is phenomenal! The team is so welcoming. As soon as I set foot on the field for camps, it was all about the camper's needs, and the things they could do to help us.”
“I feel like Troy was everything I was looking for in a college. I have always wanted to take my game to the next level and I feel at Troy not only will I improve my game, but I will also learn the skills to become a better person. I love the way they offer so much to the student-athletes.”
“I like that they are a very organized program and that they strive for success. Win or lose, you can tell they are just like a happy family together. That's what I wanted, somewhere I loved and felt at home, and Troy gave me exactly what I was looking for.”
AMANDA WINTERS
Winters come to Troy from Locust Grove High School in McDonough, Ga. where she was an All-State selection in 2011. That season she was also earned All-Region honors and was named the Region Pitcher and Player of the Year.
In 2010, Winters was also named to the All-Region First Team as a pitcher. She has twice been named Locust Grove's Offensive Player of the Year.
Winters plays travel ball for the Georgia Fire and is the daughter of Harold and Gay Winters.
“I chose Troy because I love how it is a big college in a small town,” Winter said. “Troy loves it's athletics and has a perfect balance between that and academics. I love where the softball program is at and where it is going. It just felt right the first time I stepped on campus.”
For more updates on Troy Athletics, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @TroyAthletics.
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