University of North Texas Athletics
Mean Green Softball Signs Six
11/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
DENTON (11/21/05) -- North Texas softball head coach Kelly Burns announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Monday. The class, made up entirely of high-school athletes, includes two pitchers and four players from the state of Texas.
"With these six signees we have a very diverse group that will be able to help us in many ways," said head coach Kelly Burns. "They will push our team to excel while adding much needed depth. With them, they bring added power, speed, pitching, catching and much versatility. All are talented and play the game with passion. I am very proud of this group of young ladies and know that they will help build this program."
For the 2006-07 school year, the signing class includes the following players: Kayla Lawson (P/IF, Santa Fe HS/Edmond, Okla.), Caitlyn Luetge (IF/OF, Rockdale HS/Rockdale, Texas), Lauren Morales (C, Ball HS/Galveston, Texas), Mackenzie Sharp (P/IF, Kilgore HS/Kilgore, Texas), Sierra Scott (OF/IF, Marcus HS/Highland Village, Texas), Rebecca Waters (IF/C, Davenport HS/Davenport, Okla.)
Kayla Lawson
Lawson was named MVP of Santa Fe’s softball team the last two years. The Co-MVP Conference Player of 2005, Lawson compiled a 16-4-2 record on the mound with a 0.35 earned run average. For her career, the Edmond, Okla., native posted a 63-18-2 record with 619 strikeouts and an earned run average of 0.48. Lawson, a four-time first-team all-conference player, helped lead her team to a 2003 state championship.
"Kayla was one of the top sought after recruits in Oklahoma," said Burns. "On the mound she moves the ball well and will compliment the rest of our staff. She is a very versatile player and will see time on the mound as well as work in the infield. I expect her to be able to hit for herself and add depth to our pitching staff."
Caitlyn Luetge
Luetge was named Rockdale High School’s most valuable player in 2005 after leading the team to the regional finals. She was also named first-team all-district in 2005. The Rockdale, Texas native played club ball with the Texas Terminators Gold and competed at the AFA Nationals in Beaumont this past summer. Luetge also competed in track and powerlifting at Rockdale.
"Caitlyn impressed us at camp this summer, not only with her power and strength, but also with her eagerness to learn," said Burns. "She is very coachable and athletic. Caitlyn will see time both at third base and the outfield as well. She also brings more power to our hitting lineup and I look for her to contribute on the the scoreboard."
Lauren Morales
Morales was a four-year letterwinner at Ball High School in Galveston, Texas. The catcher was a first-team all-district selection and was named the team’s most valuable defensive player.
"Lauren is a talented catcher with a very strong arm who receives the ball very well," said Burns. "She is also very energetic and always talking and moving on the field. Her passion for the game is undeniable."
Mackenzie Sharp
Sharp was an honorable mention all-state player and District 17-4A MVP in 2005. A four-year letterwinner at Kilgore HS, Sharp compiled a 37-10 record on the mound from her freshman year through her junior campaign. During that time, she posted an earned run average of 0.55, while striking out 549 batters. Sharp set a school record, posting 27 strikeouts in a 12-inning game. She was also an all-district performer in volleyball and a regional finalist in swimming.
"Mackenzie is a power pitcher who will bring more velocity to our pitching staff," said Burns. "She is also a very agile athlete who fields her position well. She is a hard worker and should be a dominating force on the mound."
Sierra Scott
Scott was a four-year letterwinner at Marcus High School in Lewisville, Texas. She was named first-team all-district in 2005 and second team in 2004.
"Sierra brings much needed speed to our lineup and is able to hit for power from the right and play the short game from the left side of the plate," said Burns. "She will work both in the infield and the outfield."
Rebecca Waters
Waters batted .467 her senior year with 11 doubles, three triples and 24 runs batted in, leading the Davenport Fastpitch softball team to the Class A State Championship. The Davenport, Okla., native was a part of two other fastpitch championship teams, including her freshman year when she played alongside her sister, Susan, a current Mean Green softball player. As a senior, Waters also received Oklahoma All-Region and All-State accolades. The infielder plays summer ball for the Oklahoma Rebels and also competes on the basketball and softball teams.
"Rebecca is another very versatile athlete who will help our depth in several positions," said Burns. "She is capable of playing middle infield, the corners and will work some behind the plate as well. We also look forward to adding her power at the plate in our lineup."
The Mean Green finished the 2005 season with a 15-38 overall record and a 6-14 conference mark. NT returns seven starters and 15 letterwinners for the upcoming season.
