Photo by: Michael Wiser
Softball Recruiting Class Ranked Among Nation’s Best
11/10/2021 2:23:00 PM | Softball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The first College of Charleston recruiting class for head coach Tracey Lynch, recruiting coordinator Matt Burns and assistant coach Jake Combs has produced nine players, including seven who earned a ranking in the Top 140 by Extra Inning Softball.
On the strength of having three recruits in the Top 100 and seven in the Top 200, Extra Inning Softball has the CofC class ranked in a tie for 21st in the nation, trailing only Louisiana among non-Power 5 programs.
The class has a Southern feel, with eight players hailing from Georgia and South Carolina. Joining the Cougars from the Palmetto State are Audriana Bates (North Augusta), Mary-Kathryn Scott (Easley) and Brooke Tranum (Lexington).
Heading to CofC from Georgia are Ella Campbell (Ball Ground), Halle Cannon (Bainbridge), Caroline Conner (Social Circle), Tagen Levao-Maisonet (Locust Grove) and Sierra Paradis (Canton). Karlee Hughes from Saint Leonard, Md., rounds out the class.
"This recruiting class is not only talented but also filled with versatility, athleticism and energy," said Lynch. "Their ceiling is high, and we are looking forward to coaching them to reach it.
"They are extremely dynamic in the way they play the game, and I am thrilled to welcome them as our first recruiting class in the new era of Charleston softball."
Audriana Bates | OF | 5-8 | North Augusta, S.C. | North Augusta HS
• Earned rankings of No. 68 outfielder and No. 120 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Will play her first season for North Augusta this spring
• Began her career at Grovetown (Ga.) High School
• Named Offensive Player of the Year, all-region and Best of the Preps after her freshman season
• Played travel ball for Carolina Elite – Fusetti
Lynch on Bates: "Audri is an elite defender in the grass. She loves to compete, and we are looking forward to having her athleticism and speed in the lineup."
Ella Campbell | Middle IF | 5-5 | Ball Ground, Ga. | Creekview HS
• Earned rankings of No. 31 general infielder and No. 140 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Two-time all-county and all-region selection entering her senior season
• Posted batting averages of .350 (freshman), .443 (sophomore) and .516 (junior)
• Helped team win 106 games and trips to the state playoffs all four years
• Team won three region titles and finished third in the state tournament in 2020 and fifth in 2019
• Played travel ball for Georgia Impact
Lynch on Campbell: "Ella brings strength defensively to the infield. We are excited to grow together of-fensively with the promise she shows from the box."
Halle Cannon | UT | 5-5 | Bainbridge, Ga. | Bainbridge HS
• Earned ranking of No. 115 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Named first team all-region three times and two-time team Offensive Player of the Year
• Selected to play in high school junior all-star game
• Had batting averages of .580 as a junior and .596 as a senior
• Helped lead team to a pair of region championships and two berths in the Elite 8
• Team went 27-2 and finished third in the state tournament her freshman season
• Played travel ball for Georgia Impact P-Lewis 18u
Lynch on Cannon: "Halle is someone who can make an immediate impact not only with her power at the plate but with the intensity and leadership she brings to the field daily."
Caroline Conner | P | 6-1 | Social Circle, Ga. | George Walton Academy
• Earned rankings of No. 40 pitcher and No. 113 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Four-time all-region and all-county team member and two-time all-state selection
• Posted a record of 38-8 with 376 strikeouts in her career
• Was 12-2 with a 1.18 ERA and 145 strikeouts as a senior
• Also had ERAs of 1.59 (freshman), 1.43 (sophomore) and 1.51 (junior)
• Named team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2020
• Helped lead team to a record of 87-26, three trips to the Elite 8 and a berth in the Final 4 in 2019
• Played travel ball for East Cobb Bullets Schnute
Lynch on Conner: "Caroline commands the zone, and we are looking for her to make an immediate im-pact in the circle. She challenges hitters in all zones while being detailed with spin and location."
Karlee Hughes | Middle IF | 5-4 | Saint Leonard, Md. | Calvert HS
• Earned rankings of No. 43 middle infielder and No. 64 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Named 2021 Chesapeake Region Player of the Year
• Batted .450 with a .925 slugging percentage and .542 on-base percentage that season
• Had five doubles, four homers, 19 runs, 18 RBI and seven steals in only 12 games
• Helped team win regional title and reach state finals in 2021
• Played travel ball for Lady Lightning Gold team that won Junior Olympic Cup in 2020 and 2021
• Played volleyball at Calvert and was Rookie of the Year in 2019 and Defensive MVP in 2020
Lynch on Hughes: "Karlee offers the versatility to play just about anywhere on the field. Her experience at the highest level in travel ball for several years has prepared her to compete right away at the next level."
Tagen Levao-Maisonet | UT | 5-3 | Locust Grove, Ga. | Locust Grove HS
• Earned rankings of No. 8 general infielder and No. 54 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Named Region Player of the Year and Offensive MVP in 2020 when she batted .552
• Had a batting average of .442 as a senior and was over .350 her first two seasons
• Set school record for doubles and triples
• Recipient of Summer Lee Teammate Award in 2019
• Helped team post a record of 63-7 and state championships in 2018 and 2019
• Played travel ball with AP Gold which won Gold Cup in 2021 and was third at PGF Nationals in 2018
Lynch on Levao-Maisonet: "Tagen is a multi-dimensional player who will add great value to our team. She is a dynamic athlete with tremendous upside who will be fun to watch grow in our program."
Sierra Paradis | UT | 5-7 | Canton, Ga. | Creekview HS
• Helped team win 106 games and trips to the state playoffs all four years
• Team won three region titles and finished third in the state tournament in 2020 and fifth in 2019
• Played travel ball for Georgia Academy Power since 12u
• Batted over .300 each season and led team in homers and RBI last summer
• Won organization's Stephanie Philips Award and Defensive Award
• Hit game-winning home run in national tournament game in July 2021
Lynch on Paradis: "Sierra is a high energy player who will bring a power bat to our lineup. She is a confi-dent leader on and off the field, and teammates love playing with her."
Mary-Kathryn Scott | SS | 5-7 | Easley, S.C. | Easley HS
• Earned rankings of No. 36 middle infielder and No. 54 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Named to all-region team each season and was Region Player of the Year
• Two-time member of the all-state team
• Helped team finish second in the region and third in the state tournament
• Played travel ball for Mojo-Fisher
• Also played basketball at Easley and led region in steals while being chosen to all-region team
Lynch on Scott: "Mary-Kathryn has one of the strongest arms I've seen at the high school level, and she pairs that with an ability to make great plays with her glove."
Brooke Tranum | UT | 5-8 | Lexington, S.C. | Gray Collegiate Academy
• Batted .568 with 12 homers and 35 RBI as a freshman
• Named Offensive Player of the Year, Region Player of the Year and to all-state team
• Chosen school's Freshman Academic Student of the Year
• Had a batting average of .446 with two home runs as a junior
• Helped lead team to a regional championship
• Played travel ball for Lady Lightning Gold Pedy
Lynch on Tranum: "Brooke brings versatility. She has the ability to play multiple positions on the field, and her relentless work ethic puts her ceiling at a high level."
On the strength of having three recruits in the Top 100 and seven in the Top 200, Extra Inning Softball has the CofC class ranked in a tie for 21st in the nation, trailing only Louisiana among non-Power 5 programs.
The class has a Southern feel, with eight players hailing from Georgia and South Carolina. Joining the Cougars from the Palmetto State are Audriana Bates (North Augusta), Mary-Kathryn Scott (Easley) and Brooke Tranum (Lexington).
Heading to CofC from Georgia are Ella Campbell (Ball Ground), Halle Cannon (Bainbridge), Caroline Conner (Social Circle), Tagen Levao-Maisonet (Locust Grove) and Sierra Paradis (Canton). Karlee Hughes from Saint Leonard, Md., rounds out the class.
"This recruiting class is not only talented but also filled with versatility, athleticism and energy," said Lynch. "Their ceiling is high, and we are looking forward to coaching them to reach it.
"They are extremely dynamic in the way they play the game, and I am thrilled to welcome them as our first recruiting class in the new era of Charleston softball."
Audriana Bates | OF | 5-8 | North Augusta, S.C. | North Augusta HS
• Earned rankings of No. 68 outfielder and No. 120 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Will play her first season for North Augusta this spring
• Began her career at Grovetown (Ga.) High School
• Named Offensive Player of the Year, all-region and Best of the Preps after her freshman season
• Played travel ball for Carolina Elite – Fusetti
Lynch on Bates: "Audri is an elite defender in the grass. She loves to compete, and we are looking forward to having her athleticism and speed in the lineup."
Ella Campbell | Middle IF | 5-5 | Ball Ground, Ga. | Creekview HS
• Earned rankings of No. 31 general infielder and No. 140 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Two-time all-county and all-region selection entering her senior season
• Posted batting averages of .350 (freshman), .443 (sophomore) and .516 (junior)
• Helped team win 106 games and trips to the state playoffs all four years
• Team won three region titles and finished third in the state tournament in 2020 and fifth in 2019
• Played travel ball for Georgia Impact
Lynch on Campbell: "Ella brings strength defensively to the infield. We are excited to grow together of-fensively with the promise she shows from the box."
Halle Cannon | UT | 5-5 | Bainbridge, Ga. | Bainbridge HS
• Earned ranking of No. 115 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Named first team all-region three times and two-time team Offensive Player of the Year
• Selected to play in high school junior all-star game
• Had batting averages of .580 as a junior and .596 as a senior
• Helped lead team to a pair of region championships and two berths in the Elite 8
• Team went 27-2 and finished third in the state tournament her freshman season
• Played travel ball for Georgia Impact P-Lewis 18u
Lynch on Cannon: "Halle is someone who can make an immediate impact not only with her power at the plate but with the intensity and leadership she brings to the field daily."
Caroline Conner | P | 6-1 | Social Circle, Ga. | George Walton Academy
• Earned rankings of No. 40 pitcher and No. 113 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Four-time all-region and all-county team member and two-time all-state selection
• Posted a record of 38-8 with 376 strikeouts in her career
• Was 12-2 with a 1.18 ERA and 145 strikeouts as a senior
• Also had ERAs of 1.59 (freshman), 1.43 (sophomore) and 1.51 (junior)
• Named team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2020
• Helped lead team to a record of 87-26, three trips to the Elite 8 and a berth in the Final 4 in 2019
• Played travel ball for East Cobb Bullets Schnute
Lynch on Conner: "Caroline commands the zone, and we are looking for her to make an immediate im-pact in the circle. She challenges hitters in all zones while being detailed with spin and location."
Karlee Hughes | Middle IF | 5-4 | Saint Leonard, Md. | Calvert HS
• Earned rankings of No. 43 middle infielder and No. 64 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Named 2021 Chesapeake Region Player of the Year
• Batted .450 with a .925 slugging percentage and .542 on-base percentage that season
• Had five doubles, four homers, 19 runs, 18 RBI and seven steals in only 12 games
• Helped team win regional title and reach state finals in 2021
• Played travel ball for Lady Lightning Gold team that won Junior Olympic Cup in 2020 and 2021
• Played volleyball at Calvert and was Rookie of the Year in 2019 and Defensive MVP in 2020
Lynch on Hughes: "Karlee offers the versatility to play just about anywhere on the field. Her experience at the highest level in travel ball for several years has prepared her to compete right away at the next level."
Tagen Levao-Maisonet | UT | 5-3 | Locust Grove, Ga. | Locust Grove HS
• Earned rankings of No. 8 general infielder and No. 54 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Named Region Player of the Year and Offensive MVP in 2020 when she batted .552
• Had a batting average of .442 as a senior and was over .350 her first two seasons
• Set school record for doubles and triples
• Recipient of Summer Lee Teammate Award in 2019
• Helped team post a record of 63-7 and state championships in 2018 and 2019
• Played travel ball with AP Gold which won Gold Cup in 2021 and was third at PGF Nationals in 2018
Lynch on Levao-Maisonet: "Tagen is a multi-dimensional player who will add great value to our team. She is a dynamic athlete with tremendous upside who will be fun to watch grow in our program."
Sierra Paradis | UT | 5-7 | Canton, Ga. | Creekview HS
• Helped team win 106 games and trips to the state playoffs all four years
• Team won three region titles and finished third in the state tournament in 2020 and fifth in 2019
• Played travel ball for Georgia Academy Power since 12u
• Batted over .300 each season and led team in homers and RBI last summer
• Won organization's Stephanie Philips Award and Defensive Award
• Hit game-winning home run in national tournament game in July 2021
Lynch on Paradis: "Sierra is a high energy player who will bring a power bat to our lineup. She is a confi-dent leader on and off the field, and teammates love playing with her."
Mary-Kathryn Scott | SS | 5-7 | Easley, S.C. | Easley HS
• Earned rankings of No. 36 middle infielder and No. 54 overall by Extra Inning Softball
• Named to all-region team each season and was Region Player of the Year
• Two-time member of the all-state team
• Helped team finish second in the region and third in the state tournament
• Played travel ball for Mojo-Fisher
• Also played basketball at Easley and led region in steals while being chosen to all-region team
Lynch on Scott: "Mary-Kathryn has one of the strongest arms I've seen at the high school level, and she pairs that with an ability to make great plays with her glove."
Brooke Tranum | UT | 5-8 | Lexington, S.C. | Gray Collegiate Academy
• Batted .568 with 12 homers and 35 RBI as a freshman
• Named Offensive Player of the Year, Region Player of the Year and to all-state team
• Chosen school's Freshman Academic Student of the Year
• Had a batting average of .446 with two home runs as a junior
• Helped lead team to a regional championship
• Played travel ball for Lady Lightning Gold Pedy
Lynch on Tranum: "Brooke brings versatility. She has the ability to play multiple positions on the field, and her relentless work ethic puts her ceiling at a high level."
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