Troy University Athletics
Newell Announces First Signing Class
12/6/2022 6:08:00 PM | Softball
TROY, Ala. – Newly named head softball coach Eric Newell has unveiled his first signing class as leader of the Troy softball program. The class features five players, Becca Leigh Chadwick, Alyssa Faircloth, Makaley Boswell, Savannah Money, and Rebekah Johnson.
"We're super excited about the 2023 recruiting class," said Newell. "It's pretty pitching-heavy when you try to replace the likes of Leanna Johnson and Libby Baker and Haley Pittman. We're excited about these young arms and the youth, and then we got some nice bats to go along with it."
Chadwick joins the Trojans from Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Northside High School. She won back-to-back area championships with the Rams while playing in the 4A Division. She holds the school's single-season strikeout record of 283 and was the 4A Player of The Year during her junior season.
"She's a dual threat, she swings it really, really well, and she's the number one pitcher there at Northside. She's a left-handed stick, a power stick, she is going to be a home run, double threat, and she also plays on a high-level travel ball team."
Faircloth trades Wildcats for Trojans after attending Northport High School for her senior season of softball. The two-way player tallied three area championships, two regional championships, and one state championship in three tries in high school. During her senior season in the circle, Faircloth had 15 shutouts and four no-hitters while hitting .409 at the dish with six home runs and 26 RBIs.
"She was highly recruited, and I had my eyes on her at my previous institution, and a lot of Division I's had their eyes on her. Not going to rule her out as a potential hitter, as she is a pretty good athlete. She can run, she can hit, but her meal ticket is pitching the ball left-handed."
Boswell joins the Trojans from Geneva High School in Geneva, Ala. The slugger has tallied more than 100 home runs in her high school career and was a 2019 USA all-American. She led the Panthers to two appearances in the state championship semifinals. On the basketball court, Boswell was a 1,000-point scorer.
"If there were a prototypical coach Newell recruit, I like those who can run, can play multiple positions, is extremely versatile, she can hit the long ball, she can steal a base, she can lay down a bunt. Had her in at a camp and watched her play this summer and said we got to have this young lady."
Money comes to Troy from Ashford, Ala., and played both 3A and 4A softball for the Yellow Jackets. The pitcher recorded more than 500 career strikeouts and recorded 125 strikeouts in 63 innings during her junior season at Ashford High School.
"She's capable of playing another position, likely the outfield. She plays on a high-level travel team. She is a local kid, a good student, and she comes from a good family. She put up some big numbers at the high school level."
Johnson heads to Troy from Bryan County High School in Savannah, Georgia. While playing for the Redskins, she set school records for home runs (23), RBIs (123), and career batting average (.508). She led her school to at least the Sweet 16 in the state playoffs three times and was a three-time all-state player.
"She can run a little bit, she can hit for power. She's not going to be able to play everywhere on the field because she is left-handed. She can play the outfield. She can catch in an emergency, and there is some really big upside with Bekah as well.
The Trojans will open up their home schedule with a tournament at the Troy Softball Complex. Troy will be in action on February 10, when they open with SIUE and Belmont.
"We're super excited about the 2023 recruiting class," said Newell. "It's pretty pitching-heavy when you try to replace the likes of Leanna Johnson and Libby Baker and Haley Pittman. We're excited about these young arms and the youth, and then we got some nice bats to go along with it."
Chadwick joins the Trojans from Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Northside High School. She won back-to-back area championships with the Rams while playing in the 4A Division. She holds the school's single-season strikeout record of 283 and was the 4A Player of The Year during her junior season.
"She's a dual threat, she swings it really, really well, and she's the number one pitcher there at Northside. She's a left-handed stick, a power stick, she is going to be a home run, double threat, and she also plays on a high-level travel ball team."
Faircloth trades Wildcats for Trojans after attending Northport High School for her senior season of softball. The two-way player tallied three area championships, two regional championships, and one state championship in three tries in high school. During her senior season in the circle, Faircloth had 15 shutouts and four no-hitters while hitting .409 at the dish with six home runs and 26 RBIs.
"She was highly recruited, and I had my eyes on her at my previous institution, and a lot of Division I's had their eyes on her. Not going to rule her out as a potential hitter, as she is a pretty good athlete. She can run, she can hit, but her meal ticket is pitching the ball left-handed."
Boswell joins the Trojans from Geneva High School in Geneva, Ala. The slugger has tallied more than 100 home runs in her high school career and was a 2019 USA all-American. She led the Panthers to two appearances in the state championship semifinals. On the basketball court, Boswell was a 1,000-point scorer.
"If there were a prototypical coach Newell recruit, I like those who can run, can play multiple positions, is extremely versatile, she can hit the long ball, she can steal a base, she can lay down a bunt. Had her in at a camp and watched her play this summer and said we got to have this young lady."
Money comes to Troy from Ashford, Ala., and played both 3A and 4A softball for the Yellow Jackets. The pitcher recorded more than 500 career strikeouts and recorded 125 strikeouts in 63 innings during her junior season at Ashford High School.
"She's capable of playing another position, likely the outfield. She plays on a high-level travel team. She is a local kid, a good student, and she comes from a good family. She put up some big numbers at the high school level."
Johnson heads to Troy from Bryan County High School in Savannah, Georgia. While playing for the Redskins, she set school records for home runs (23), RBIs (123), and career batting average (.508). She led her school to at least the Sweet 16 in the state playoffs three times and was a three-time all-state player.
"She can run a little bit, she can hit for power. She's not going to be able to play everywhere on the field because she is left-handed. She can play the outfield. She can catch in an emergency, and there is some really big upside with Bekah as well.
The Trojans will open up their home schedule with a tournament at the Troy Softball Complex. Troy will be in action on February 10, when they open with SIUE and Belmont.
Players Mentioned
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