HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College head softball coach Travis McCall announced today the addition of Christine Carver, Anna Gluhosky, Hannah Goodman, Nikki Linthicum and Lilli Otten to the 2016-17 roster.
"I really feel like we've been able to add a great group of talented players with this class," said McCall. "They are all about Coker and will be great representatives for our softball program and institution both on and off the field. My assistant Mackenzie Draine and I spent a ton of time watching each of these girls play and are both very excited with this class. I really feel like we've been able to address our immediate needs and add both speed and depth to our lineup. It's a great time to be a Cobra and the future of Coker softball is very bright!"
Carver is a two-sport athlete at Cuthberson High School where she lettered in basketball and softball. On the softball field, the Waxhaw, N.C. native is a pitcher/utility player. She has a batting average of .484, was an all-conference, all-district, all-county and all-state selection for the Cavalier softball team.
"Christine is a tremendous athlete who plays as hard as any kid we've recruited," said McCall. "In the circle she is extremely competitive and attacks every hitter she faces. Her ability to play both infield and outfield will give us some much-needed depth out there. The speed that she brings to the base-paths will add another dimension to our offense. I really feel like we got a steal in getting her here at Coker!"
She is the daughter of Lisa and Mike Carver. She plans on majoring in political science.
Gluhosky is a two-sport athlete from Summerville, S.C., where she was a swimmer and an infielder for the Summerville High School Green Wave softball team. On the softball field, she was an all-region selection, winner of the Wave and Green and Gold Award and the Bishop Blast Tournament MVP.
"Anna is a girl who we think has a chance to come in and have an immediate impact both on and off the field with our program," said McCall. "She is extremely athletic and will provide us with some options both up the middle and at third. Offensively, she can do a little bit of everything and will add some versatility to our lineup. I'm so excited to have Anna as part of the Coker softball family."
She is the daughter of Colleen and James Gluhosky. She plans on majoring in biology.
Goodman is a two-sport athlete at Landsowne High School in Arbutus, Md., where she lettered in softball and golf for the Vikings. On the diamond, the catcher/third baseman was a three-time all-division selection, two-time team MVP and two-time all-county selection.
"Hannah is a girl that we discovered fairly late in the recruiting process," said McCall. Her toughness behind the plate and ability to command the field will be a huge asset for us. Offensively, I really feel like she will develop into a middle of the order type hitter at this level. I'm thrilled to have her here at Coker!!"
She is the daughter of Donna and Ken Goodman. She intends to major in criminology.
Linthicum is a two-sport athlete at Stratford High School in Goose Creek, S.C., where she lettered in volleyball and softball for the Knights. The pitcher and utility player posted a .447 batting average, a 1.27 ERA with 134 strikeouts. She was a 2014-15 all-low country and all-state selection, and a 2015 4A South Carolina Coaches Association of Women's Sports All-State softball player.
"Nikki is someone I feel has tremendous upside as a pitcher," said McCall. "She has great spin and can move the ball all over the zone. She will also see time in the outfield here and her ability to go get the ball will really help us! Offensively, she will add more speed from the left side and give us another hitter at the top of our lineup. I'm really excited about getting an athlete like Nikki!"
She is the daughter of Christina and Bill Linthicum. She plans on majoring in sports marketing.
Otten is a first baseman and outfielder for the Bluffton High School Bobcats softball team. The Bluffton, S.C. native was a two-time best defensive player, an all-state selection and a winner of the 2014 GPA award.
"Lilli was a late find for us for this class," said McCall. "She will add some depth for us at first and in the outfield. Offensively she has a great swing and the ability to spray the ball all over the field. Her long frame will give us much needed size to the middle of our order. I feel like Lilli has the ability to develop into a great player for us and I'm very excited she chose Coker!"
She is the daughter of Erin and Ted Otten. She is currently an undecided major.