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SOUTHWEST SOFTBALL SIGNS FIVE
The Southwest softball program has signed five student-athletes to
National Letters of Intent for the 2005-2006 season. This talented group
of newcomers includes Gina High (Bartlett High School), Carrie Byram
(Munford High School), Kelly Pulse (Germantown High School), Jessica
Hefflinger (Bolton High School), and Kara Hammer (Overland High School,
Aurora, Colorado).
”We are very excited about this year’s recruiting class,” said Southwest
Head Coach Keith Gentry. “After losing eight sophomores of this year’s
region tournament team, there are several positions to fill and all five
of these players should contribute immediately.”
High, a two-sport standout at Bartlett, will play both softball and
basketball at Southwest. As a senior, she started at shortstop for coach
Katie Maroon and led the Panthers in batting with a .328 average. High
was a two-time All-District 14AAA performer and also made the
all-tournament team in 2005. As Bartlett’s starting point guard, High
helped lead the Bartlett basketball team to a 28-4 record and the
district championship her senior season. One of the top all-around
athletes in the Memphis area, High is one of five finalists for The
Commercial Appeal’s Best of the Preps Athlete of the Year Award.
Byram was named to the All-District 14AAA and All-District 14AAA
Tournament Teams in both 2004 and 2005 and was a second team
all-district pick as a sophomore in 2003. Byram was also selected to The
Commercial Appeal’s Best of the Preps Team her junior year and was
recognized as the Best of the West Player of the Year as a senior. Under
coach Glenn Goulder, she started in centerfield and batted a team-high
.480 this spring and led Munford with 59 hits, 26 stolen bases, and a
.519 on-base average. In 2005, she led the Lady Cougars to a 26-17
record and the District 14AAA tournament runner-up.
Pulse led Germantown to a 19-14 record and the District 15AAA, Region
8AAA and Class AAA Sectional runners-up this spring. Pulse was one of
Germantown’s top hitters, batting .359 her senior year with eight
doubles, one home run, and 24 runs batted in. A two-year starter at
first base for coach Terry Austin, Pulse batted over .300 as a junior
and played on the Lady Red Devils’ 2004 state tournament team.
Hefflinger, a four-year letter-winner at Bolton, led the Lady Wildcats
to the regular season District 14AAA championship, the Region 7AAA
championship, and a berth in the Class AAA state tournament. Playing
second base for coach Pam Parker, Hefflinger was a two-time all-district
selection and also was named to The Commercial Appeal’s Best of the
Preps team as a junior. In addition, she was a two-time Defensive Player
of the Year for the Lady Wildcats, and was named to Who’s Who Among
American High School Students.
Hammer, the lone signee from outside the Memphis area, transfers to
Southwest after attending Missouri Valley College last fall. Hammer was
a four-year starter in the outfield for Overland High School in Aurora,
Colorado and played competitive travel ball for the Colorado Pony
Express. While with the Pony Express, Hammer played in several national
tournaments, including the 18 and under AFA Nationals in both 2003 and
2004.
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