Lee softball coach Emily Russell recently released the early signees for the 2015-16 school year.
Hallie Renee Davis, Madyson Stallcup, Allison Meadows, Caroline Freiling and Stevie Baird have returned their scholarship papers to coach Russell.
DAVIS is in the midst of her senior year at Walker Valley High School. An outfield/infield prospect, her career marks stand at record-setting 31 homers, 39 doubles, and 79 runs driven as sheheads into her senior season.
"Hallie is a very determined and hardworking athlete," commented Russell. "We have been tracking and watching her play since her freshman year in high school.I was determined to sign her as I feel that she is one of the most talented softball players to come out of the Cleveland area.
"We always want to get local talent and we feel that we hit the bull eye with Hallie. She is quick, aggressive and powerful. She plays the game with passion and energy. We are looking forward to getting her on campus and seeing her on the field in the fall."
During her sophomore and junior seasons Davis was named to the all-district, all-state and the Times-Free Press Best of Prep teams.
"I felt like Lee was the best fit for me," said Davis, who also looked at Austin Peay, Berry College, USC Upstate and Florida State University. "I love the campus, the coaches and it is close to home. I will always work hard for myself and my team," she added. "My goal is to get stronger and more consistent with my bat."
A honor student and a member of the Beta Club at Walker Valley, Davis is pointing toward becoming an athletic trainer and coach.
STALLCUP is a senior at Weber Groves High School (Missouri). A four-year all-conference and all-district player, the 5-foot-9 pitcher has been an all-region athlete for the past three seasons.
She owns the Weber Groves record for games pitched, games started, wins and strikeouts. Stallcup also is listed in the top 10 in several hitting categories.
In the classroom she has been a standout, earning a membership in the National Honor Society, being a four-year high school scholar, and receiving the four-year Renaissance Academic Achievement Award and the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award.
"I fell in love when I first stepped on the Lee campus," said Stallcup. "Lee will help me grow in my faith. Coach Russell believes in me and sees my potential.
"My goals are to graduate with honors and I want to step in immediately to help my team compete for a conference championship and play in post season.
Said Russell: "Madyson is a crafty pitcher that mixes speeds and has excellent movement. She has a great demeanor on the mound and will be a nice addition to our staff. She is a strong student and comes from a coaching family. We expect great things from her."
MEADOWS is an outfielder for Silverdale Baptist Academy (Chattanooga). A .450 hitter during her summer play, she is a three-time all-district performer and was named the SBA freshman of the year. Meadows will leave Silverdale with the program'shighest batting average and tied for two TSSAA state records.
She lists several reasons for selecting Lee as her college home: Christian environment, close to home, great softball program and opportunity to receive great education.
"My goals are to earn playing time and contribute as much as possible to the team," she noted.
"Allison is a hardworking and determined athlete," said Russell. "She adds speed and is a strong presence from the left side.We are excited to add her to the lineup and to our program.She is another talented student that will add to the student body at Lee."
FREILING will make the long journey from West Linn, Ore. to join the softball team. She plays catcher and is a designated player for coach Scott Smith at West Linn High School.
Freiling hits .455 this past year for her high school team and .411 in summer ball. Also in high school she stroked five homers, and eight doubles while recording a .537 on base percentage and a .716 slugging mark.
The new Lady Flame considered Lewis-Clark State, Concordia, Linfield, George Fox, Pacific, Eastern Nazarene and Hillsdale before signing with Lee.
She noted that the softball program and core values of the university were key reasons for selecting Lee. "My goals are to earn a spot in the lineup every game and to bat .500," commented Freiling. "I want to help our team win the conference title."
An honor student who has earned a spot on the honor roll every semester, she carries a 4.027 GPA. Freiling is a member of the Music and French clubs, plus the National Honor Society.
Noted Russell: "Caroline is a clutch hitting specialist. She has worked tirelessly on her hitting and has the mentality to be a big time hitter in college. With the way we manage the lineup, we need hitters in situations and having kids available makes a big difference for our team. We are excited to add yet another fine student to this 2015 class."
BAIRD is playing second and third for coach Braswell at Beech Senior High School in Hendersonville, Tenn. Last season she hit .421 for Beech and socked seven homers to go along with seven doubles.
She was named to the District 9AAA team as a sophomore and junior and was the Beech Defensive MVP this past season. Baird considered Belmont University before deciding on the Lady Flames.
"Lee has great coaches that I feel comfortable around," she related. "It is located not too far away from home. Lee also has a nursing and pre-med program. The campus is beautiful as well."
Baird earned the TSSAA Student-Athlete Award of Merit for having a 4.0 GPA. She will major in nursing and is planning a career as a nurse anesthetist.
She will build her goals around the team. "I want to help make the Lady Flames a better team in 2016, and to form lasting bonds with my teammates."
"Stevie was the first to commit from this class," explained the Lee coach. "We love the way she plays the game. She has a confidence and hardworking demeanor on the field that is fun to watch. She is an outstanding student that has very high standards for her academics. We know that she will make an impact on our program right away."
