Final Additions for TROY Softball Class

TROY, Ala. (TroyTrojans.com) - The Troy University softball program announced the addition of five players for the upcoming season, with the list including two incoming freshmen and three junior college transfers.

"I am delighted to have each of these talented young ladies join our program," TROY head coach Melanie Davis said. "We are confident that this recruiting class will move our program forward in our quest to compete for the Sun Belt Championship. Furthermore, they will continue our team's commitment to being winners in the classroom, the community and in life."

Sarah Thomas, an incoming freshman from St. Albert, Alberta, Canada joins the Trojans from Paul Kane High School; while also playing for Edmonton (club team) as a pitcher and first baseman. Offensively, Thomas hit .436 from the plate; while slugging .458 with eight doubles, five triples and four home runs. She also recorded 15 stolen bases. On the mound, the incoming freshman made 37 appearances and record a 20-10 record. She also recorded six shutouts and four saves, while receiving numerous athletic awards.

"I chose TROY because I feel that it is going to be an amazing opportunity to play softball at a highly competitive level as well as further my education in the business field," Thomas said. "Also I really like how TROY has smaller class sizes so that the students get more attention in the classroom. The people at TROY made me feel welcome and as if I had found my home away from home, and that's when I knew it was the place for me."

The other incoming freshman to sign with the Trojans is Bailee Wetmore from Everett High School in Everett, Washington. Wetmore, a middle infielder who also played for the Washington Ladyhawks Gold Team, is a three-year letterwinner at Everett where she earned All-League Honorable Mention. At the plate, Wetmore hit .271 with four doubles and five home runs, earning Second Team All-League honors.

"I chose TROY because not only will I earn a college degree from a top school but I will also compete at the highest level," Wetmore said. "As soon as I stepped on the campus, I knew it was the perfect fit. I was drawn to the positive energy and family-like atmosphere of the students, athletes and coaches. I was also attracted to the beautiful campus and facilities."

The Trojans also added three junior college transfers, beginning with Bailey Blake, a middle infielder from Gilbert, Arizona. Blake was a two-year starter for Mesa Community College in Arizona, after prepping at Gilbert High School. At the plate, the shortstop hit .373 and was 15-for-17 in stolen bases. She was named First Team All-Region as a sophomore, and hit .465 as a freshman while earning First Team All-Region and Second Team All-ACCAC honors. Blake also played travel ball for the Arizona Hotshots Hold, while lettering three years at Gilbert High School. While in high school, she earned Second Team All-Region honors as a sophomore and First Team honors as a junior and senior.

"I chose TROY because of so many reasons," Blake said. "I would never get the opportunity to play for a good Division I team ever again. Not only will TROY challenge me to become a better athlete, but it will make me a better student-athlete. I know that the coaches here are also very knowledgeable about the sport, and are going to make me grow to be the best I can be. I did not want to regret not playing at the top level, and that is why I decided TROY was the place for me."

Michaela Hamilton signed with the Trojans out of Gulf Coast Community College this spring. While at Gulf Coast, she earned Pitcher of the Week honors and Second Team All-Conference; appearing in 32 games, recording 17 wins and a save. She pitched 145 innings, recording 133 strikeouts and recorded a season-high 13 strikeouts in a single-game. Prior to her time at TROY, Hamilton prepped at Harris County High School where she was named First Team All-West Georgia in 2008. She was also was named First Team All-West Georgia and First Team All-State in 2007, while earning Georgia High School Pitcher of the Year.

"I chose TROY because I because I believe TROY will help me to become the best possible person I can be both academically and athletically," Hamilton said."

The final signee for the Trojans is Caitlin Ortiz, a junior college transfer from Gulf Coast Community College and a teammate of Hamilton. Ortiz can play first, third; doing so while she hit .384 and slugged .576 last season. She connected for 12 doubles, nine home runs and 54 runs batted in - earning First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-State and Third Team NFCA All-American honors. Ortiz was prepped at Mater Dei High School before attending Gulf Coast.

"I chose TROY because of the family-like atmosphere and small town feeling," Ortiz said. "Coach (Melanie) Davis and the coaching staff told me that it's not just a team, it's more like a family and that's what I was looking for. TROY also has a good program for my major, Human Services."

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