HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker University's head softball coach Travis McCall has announced the signings of Mikayla Goodwin, Julie Hilliard, Kelsey Gollie, Kelsi Scott, Makayla Cuthbertson, Kayla Hawkins, Hannah Davis, Caitie Wray for the class of 2020.
"We are very excited about this class," said coach McCall. " There is a combination of everything that we lost from the graduating class and some added depth that we've lacked in certain positions, especially on our infield. They are very athletic, versatile, and can play multiple positions. Five of the eight members in this class are from the state of North Carolina so we have definitely been able to expand our recruiting area outside of South Carolina! More importantly these girls are all very good students and are perfect fits for Coker University Softball! We can't wait until they are on campus!"
Mikayla Goodwin is a catcher from Summerville, South Carolina. Goodwin comes from Summerville High School where she earned All Region and All State awards. Off the field the Summerville native has been named to the honor roll list throughout her high school career. "Mikayla comes from a great program at Summerville right down the road," said McCall. "I am really excited about her ceiling as a player for us. She has tremendous power offensively and does a really good job behind the plate receiving and blocking. We are excited to have her!"
Julie Hilliard is a third baseman from Columbia, South Carolina. Hilliard comes from Spring Hill High School where she has recorded a batting average of .548 and a .616 on base percentage throughout her career. She was named to the 5A South Carolina All State team in 2019. In the classroom Hilliard has earned the Athletic Academic Award at Spring Hill for the past three years. "Julie is an all around worker and very versatile," said McCall. "She can play multiple positions and will give us some depth at both corner positions. Offensively she is a very smart hitter and has tremendous discipline at the plate. We are really excited about her work ethic and potential! I am glad she's a cobra"
Kelsey Gollie is catcher from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Gollie comes from St. James High School where she earned All-Region and All-State honors throughout her career. Along with All-Region honors, Kelsey earned the MVP award in her three years as a Shark. "Kelsey is someone who has really developed over the last year," said McCall. "She will provide us a big, strong physical presence with our catchers and is very solid behind the plate. Offensively she can drive the ball to all fields and can develop into a middle of the order type hitter for us. We are thrilled to have her."
Kelsi Scott is an outfielder from Gold Hill, North Carolina. Scott comes from Mount Pleasant High School where she recorded a batting average of .411 and an on base percentage of .419. In the classroom Scott has been named to the Honor Roll all four years, and been a member of the National Honors Society. "Kelsi is a very solid overall player," said coach McCall. "She displays tremendous consistency in all areas of her game and has a really high softball IQ. I am really excited about the tools she has as an outfielder and her ability to keep opposing defenses honest."
Makayla Cuthbertson is a shortstop from Indian Trail, N.C. Cuthbertson comes from David W. Butler High School where she received several awards including the Southwestern All-Conference Player in 2017, 2018, and 2019, Second Super Team in 2018, and Offensive Player of the year in 2019. Throughout high school she has had a .504 batting average and a .544 on base percentage. "Makayla is a great athlete and we are really excited about her," said McCall. "Kay Kay has great hands and instincts on defense. Offensively she is a true triple threat from the left side and has great speed that will put a lot of pressure on defenses."
Kayla Hawkins is a first baseman from Rockingham, N.C. Hawkins comes from Richmond Senior High School where she has been named to the 2019 Sandhills Athletic Conference All-Conference team. She was apart of the Sandhills Athletic Conference Championship team in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Off the field Hawkins is a member of the Beta Club and the Senate Leadership club. "Kayla is from right up the road in Rockingham, and her power and ability to hit the ball out to all fields will be a big addition to our lineup," said McCall. "On defense she is plays the game the right way and is very tough! Kayla will add depth to first base and the middle of our lineup! We are excited that she chose Coker."
Hannah Davis is an outfielder from Iron Station, North Carolina. Davis comes from Easton Lincoln High School. "Hannah is another product of North Carolina," said McCall. "She is very long and rangy in the outfield and can play all three spots out there. Offensively she competes each time at the plate and does a great job of hitting the ball to all fields! We are excited to add her!"
Caitie Wray is a third baseman from Maiden, North Carolina. Wray comes from Maiden High School where she has recorded a batting average of .379 a total of 13 home runs. In the classroom she has been named to the honor throughout her high school career. "Caitie is a very tough and scrappy defender at third base who could also see some time in the outfield or a DP role," said McCall. "She loves to get dirty and plays the game with great effort. Offensively she has great power and can really drive the ball. I think she will develop into a big time power hitter at this level!"