UT MARTIN SOFTBALL ANNOUNCES NINE COMMITMENTS TO 2019 SIGNING CLASS
11/26/2018 10:55:00 AM | Softball
MARTIN, TENN. – University of Tennessee at Martin softball coach Donley Canary has announced the addition of Emily Alexander (Aurora, Ill.), Anna Bennett (Lebanon, Tenn.), Allyson Bruner (Mt. Zion, Ill.), Skyler Davis (Muncie, Ind.), Katie Gardner (Bowling Green, Ky.), Payton Gottshall (Massillon, Ohio), Maddi Long (Wadsworth, Ohio), Mallory Lowe (Ringgold, Ga.) and Mia Moddelmog (Fort Collins, Colo.).
"This class fits a lot of our needs," Canary said. "We've added two extremely strong pitchers that hopefully can get us to the next level. We have also got some big strong athletes that we have not had in the past with several power hitters in the group with a focus on corner infielders, catchers and pitchers. We feel like it fills our needs plus strengthens our team depth overall."
Emily Alexander – OF/INF, 5-5, Aurora, Ill. (Montini Catholic HS)
Alexander joins the Skyhawks from Montini Catholic High School where she plays for head coach Michael Bukovsky. She helped lead the squad to a pair of 3A state championships as a freshman and junior while notching three consecutive regional and section titles. As a freshman, she hit .338 and played regularly in right field. Last year, she posted a .397 batting average with 32 RBIs and 58 runs scored.
"Emily is extremely quick and can play short stop and the outfield. We plan for her to play center for us in the future. She puts the ball in play and runs extremely well. She can drive the ball or slap one to get on base. We believe her speed will be an asset to us on the bases."
Anna Bennett – INF/OF, 5-5, Lebanon, Tenn. (Lebanon HS)
Bennett joins the Skyhawks from Lebanon High School where she plays for head coach Jody Atwood. She is a two-time all-district honoree while being tabbed the Lebanon High School Offensive MVP as a junior. For her career she has posted a .436 batting average with five home runs, 15 doubles, two triples and 35 RBIs. As a junior, though slowed by injury, she posted a .333 average with two home runs, three doubles and 11 RBIs. For her strong campaign she was tabbed to the 2018 All-County team.
"Anna is an extremely talented kid who is a left-handed gap hitter that puts the ball in play. She's very versatile, being able to play second, third or the outfield. The outfield is probably her best position but she fits our needs better at second base so we will see how she fits in there. We've watched her for several years and she's an outstanding hitter."
Allyson Bruner – INF, 5-10, Mt. Zion, Ill. (Mt. Zion HS)
Bruner joins the Skyhawks from Mount Zion High School where she plays for head coach Greg Blakey. While the team posted a 30-9 mark and a state tournament appearance, she missed much of the season after suffering a season-ending injury. However, she rebounded with a strong summer for her travel team Midland Magic by hitting .414 overall and .642 at Gold USA Nationals leading her team to a top-10 finish.
"Ally will come in next year and challenge for the first base position after losing two seniors over there this season to graduation. She is gap hitter and had a great national tournament last year. She is still working on rebuilding herself and getting back to the level which she can compete. She's a left handed hitter that we look forward to inserting into our lineup."
Skyler Davis – INF, 5-7, Muncie, Ind. (Yorktown HS)
Davis joins the Skyhawks from Yorktown High School where she plays for head coach Jeff Berger. Davis is coming of a strong junior campaign in which she posted a .488 batting average with three home runs, eight doubles and 28 RBIs while posting a .709 slugging percentage. She was rewarded for her strong season by being named Delaware 3A MVP and to the all-county team along with third-team all-state. For her career she has notched a .476 batting average with 10 home runs, 23 doubles and 92 RBIs while recording a career OPS of 1.220.
"Skyler is a strong right handed hitter that can play either corner position. She provides us some badly needed pop from the right side because she is a strong athlete with the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark at any time."
Katie Gardner – P/1B, 5-10, Bowling Green, Ky. (Warren East HS)
Gardner joins the Skyhawks from Warren East High School where she plays for head coach Philip McKinney. She helped her team to a state runner-up finish as a junior while being named region MVP along with a pair of all-region honors. As a junior, she posted a 20-4 mark with 273 strikeouts in 154 innings of work while posting a 0.78 ERA. Offensively she notched a .346 batting average with three home runs and 18 RBIs. Prior to her senior campaign, she already holds school records with 78 wins and 890 strikeouts while posting a career ERA of 1.76. She has tallied three perfect games in her career while notching nine no-hitters.
"Katie had a phenomenal junior season. She had a ridiculous run through the postseason last year and she has the ability to swing the bat, so you might see her be able to find a spot in the lineup on the days she pitches. She's an outstanding pitcher that's highly decorated and we are fortunate to have her as a Skyhawk."
Payton Gottshall – P/1B, 5-8, Massillon, Ohio (Perry HS)
Gottshall joins the Skyhawks from Massillon Perry High School where she plays for head coach Scott Daugherty. She helped lead her team to the 2018 state tournament before being named Federal League Player of the Year after going undefeated in league play while also earning first team all-league honors. Heading into the state tournament her junior season, she tallied five shutouts and struck out 55 in five games while posting a 15-2 mark and a 0.77 ERA on the season en route to an Ohio state title. She was later named the 2018 Best of Stark Softball Player of the Year.
"Payton pitched her team a state championship last year. She can play a little first base but she is an outstanding pitcher and that is where she will make a difference for our program immediately. She is a dominant pitcher who will be able pitch at a high level for us."
Maddi Long – C/INF, 5-10., Wadsworth, Ohio (Wadsworth HS)
Long joins the Skyhawks from Wadsworth High School where she plays for head coach Mike Smeltzer. She was named to the first team All-Suburban League while serving as a member of the Stay In Softball Player Advisory Board. As a junior she hit .500 with a .524 OBP and .636 slugging percentage while tallying two home runs, seven doubles and 31 RBIs. For her career she is a .435 hitter with 95 hits, 25 doubles and 77 RBIs.
"Maddi is a catcher that can also play the corner positions. She is capable of hitting the longball and is very athletic. We have needed more power and she will do a great job on helping fix that issue."
Mallory Lowe – C/UTIL, 5-4, Ringgold, Ga., (Heritage HS)
Lowe joins the Skyhawks from Heritage High School where she played for head coach Tanner Moore. She helped lead the Generals to a 25-6 mark as a senior while notching a state championship. During her senior year she posted a .301 batting average with one home run, seven doubles and 19 RBIs to earn second team all-region honors. For her career she posted a .363 batting average with two home runs, 24 doubles and 55 RBIs while defensively she notched just seven errors in her prep career.
"Mallory's team won a state tournament and she has the ability to play multiple positions for us. She can catch and play both corner positions in the infield and outfield. We will find the best position for her but she can really bring value in her hitting approach. She's a very talented freshman who will challenge for playing time."
Mia Moddelmog – OF, 5-6, Fort Collins, Colo. (Fossil Ridge HS)
Moddelmog joins the Skyhawks from Fossil Ridge High School where she played for head coach Dave Philop. She helped the Sabercats to a 21-5 mark as a senior with a .435 batting average, five home runs, seven doubles, two triples and 37 RBIs. For her career she posted a .407 batting average with 15 home runs, 27 doubles and 98 RBIs. As a whole, she was a two-time CHSAA/MaxPreps All-State second team honoree while helping lead her team to a pair of state final fours and notched one runner-up finish.
"Mia plays for a very strong travel program and will challenge for playing time in right field for us. She has always played above her age level so we don't expect there to be a large transition from high school to college softball for her."
"This class fits a lot of our needs," Canary said. "We've added two extremely strong pitchers that hopefully can get us to the next level. We have also got some big strong athletes that we have not had in the past with several power hitters in the group with a focus on corner infielders, catchers and pitchers. We feel like it fills our needs plus strengthens our team depth overall."
Emily Alexander – OF/INF, 5-5, Aurora, Ill. (Montini Catholic HS)
Alexander joins the Skyhawks from Montini Catholic High School where she plays for head coach Michael Bukovsky. She helped lead the squad to a pair of 3A state championships as a freshman and junior while notching three consecutive regional and section titles. As a freshman, she hit .338 and played regularly in right field. Last year, she posted a .397 batting average with 32 RBIs and 58 runs scored.
"Emily is extremely quick and can play short stop and the outfield. We plan for her to play center for us in the future. She puts the ball in play and runs extremely well. She can drive the ball or slap one to get on base. We believe her speed will be an asset to us on the bases."
Anna Bennett – INF/OF, 5-5, Lebanon, Tenn. (Lebanon HS)
Bennett joins the Skyhawks from Lebanon High School where she plays for head coach Jody Atwood. She is a two-time all-district honoree while being tabbed the Lebanon High School Offensive MVP as a junior. For her career she has posted a .436 batting average with five home runs, 15 doubles, two triples and 35 RBIs. As a junior, though slowed by injury, she posted a .333 average with two home runs, three doubles and 11 RBIs. For her strong campaign she was tabbed to the 2018 All-County team.
"Anna is an extremely talented kid who is a left-handed gap hitter that puts the ball in play. She's very versatile, being able to play second, third or the outfield. The outfield is probably her best position but she fits our needs better at second base so we will see how she fits in there. We've watched her for several years and she's an outstanding hitter."
Allyson Bruner – INF, 5-10, Mt. Zion, Ill. (Mt. Zion HS)
Bruner joins the Skyhawks from Mount Zion High School where she plays for head coach Greg Blakey. While the team posted a 30-9 mark and a state tournament appearance, she missed much of the season after suffering a season-ending injury. However, she rebounded with a strong summer for her travel team Midland Magic by hitting .414 overall and .642 at Gold USA Nationals leading her team to a top-10 finish.
"Ally will come in next year and challenge for the first base position after losing two seniors over there this season to graduation. She is gap hitter and had a great national tournament last year. She is still working on rebuilding herself and getting back to the level which she can compete. She's a left handed hitter that we look forward to inserting into our lineup."
Skyler Davis – INF, 5-7, Muncie, Ind. (Yorktown HS)
Davis joins the Skyhawks from Yorktown High School where she plays for head coach Jeff Berger. Davis is coming of a strong junior campaign in which she posted a .488 batting average with three home runs, eight doubles and 28 RBIs while posting a .709 slugging percentage. She was rewarded for her strong season by being named Delaware 3A MVP and to the all-county team along with third-team all-state. For her career she has notched a .476 batting average with 10 home runs, 23 doubles and 92 RBIs while recording a career OPS of 1.220.
"Skyler is a strong right handed hitter that can play either corner position. She provides us some badly needed pop from the right side because she is a strong athlete with the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark at any time."
Katie Gardner – P/1B, 5-10, Bowling Green, Ky. (Warren East HS)
Gardner joins the Skyhawks from Warren East High School where she plays for head coach Philip McKinney. She helped her team to a state runner-up finish as a junior while being named region MVP along with a pair of all-region honors. As a junior, she posted a 20-4 mark with 273 strikeouts in 154 innings of work while posting a 0.78 ERA. Offensively she notched a .346 batting average with three home runs and 18 RBIs. Prior to her senior campaign, she already holds school records with 78 wins and 890 strikeouts while posting a career ERA of 1.76. She has tallied three perfect games in her career while notching nine no-hitters.
"Katie had a phenomenal junior season. She had a ridiculous run through the postseason last year and she has the ability to swing the bat, so you might see her be able to find a spot in the lineup on the days she pitches. She's an outstanding pitcher that's highly decorated and we are fortunate to have her as a Skyhawk."
Payton Gottshall – P/1B, 5-8, Massillon, Ohio (Perry HS)
Gottshall joins the Skyhawks from Massillon Perry High School where she plays for head coach Scott Daugherty. She helped lead her team to the 2018 state tournament before being named Federal League Player of the Year after going undefeated in league play while also earning first team all-league honors. Heading into the state tournament her junior season, she tallied five shutouts and struck out 55 in five games while posting a 15-2 mark and a 0.77 ERA on the season en route to an Ohio state title. She was later named the 2018 Best of Stark Softball Player of the Year.
"Payton pitched her team a state championship last year. She can play a little first base but she is an outstanding pitcher and that is where she will make a difference for our program immediately. She is a dominant pitcher who will be able pitch at a high level for us."
Maddi Long – C/INF, 5-10., Wadsworth, Ohio (Wadsworth HS)
Long joins the Skyhawks from Wadsworth High School where she plays for head coach Mike Smeltzer. She was named to the first team All-Suburban League while serving as a member of the Stay In Softball Player Advisory Board. As a junior she hit .500 with a .524 OBP and .636 slugging percentage while tallying two home runs, seven doubles and 31 RBIs. For her career she is a .435 hitter with 95 hits, 25 doubles and 77 RBIs.
"Maddi is a catcher that can also play the corner positions. She is capable of hitting the longball and is very athletic. We have needed more power and she will do a great job on helping fix that issue."
Mallory Lowe – C/UTIL, 5-4, Ringgold, Ga., (Heritage HS)
Lowe joins the Skyhawks from Heritage High School where she played for head coach Tanner Moore. She helped lead the Generals to a 25-6 mark as a senior while notching a state championship. During her senior year she posted a .301 batting average with one home run, seven doubles and 19 RBIs to earn second team all-region honors. For her career she posted a .363 batting average with two home runs, 24 doubles and 55 RBIs while defensively she notched just seven errors in her prep career.
"Mallory's team won a state tournament and she has the ability to play multiple positions for us. She can catch and play both corner positions in the infield and outfield. We will find the best position for her but she can really bring value in her hitting approach. She's a very talented freshman who will challenge for playing time."
Mia Moddelmog – OF, 5-6, Fort Collins, Colo. (Fossil Ridge HS)
Moddelmog joins the Skyhawks from Fossil Ridge High School where she played for head coach Dave Philop. She helped the Sabercats to a 21-5 mark as a senior with a .435 batting average, five home runs, seven doubles, two triples and 37 RBIs. For her career she posted a .407 batting average with 15 home runs, 27 doubles and 98 RBIs. As a whole, she was a two-time CHSAA/MaxPreps All-State second team honoree while helping lead her team to a pair of state final fours and notched one runner-up finish.
"Mia plays for a very strong travel program and will challenge for playing time in right field for us. She has always played above her age level so we don't expect there to be a large transition from high school to college softball for her."
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