Post by The Cats on Sept 27, 2023 16:56:07 GMT -5
"This is going to be a very exciting freshman class. All five are outstanding athletes, softball players, and people," stated Clift. "They will add an exciting dimension to our team on and off the field. This class has replaced the power and speed we lost to graduation and then some."
Lily Bell / Infield/ Woodstock, Ga.
Bell arrives in Cullowhee after a fantastic career at River Ridge High School. A two-time GACA 6A first team All-State honoree, Bell concluded her career with a .420 batting average, 148 runs scored, a .500 on base percentage, and a school record 114 stolen bases. During her junior season, Bell hit .453 and was named the Georgia Dugout Club 6A State Player of the Year as well as the River Ridge High School MVP for the second straight year after she hit .427 with 36 runs scored and 28 stolen bases as the Knights finished as the 6A state runner-up. As a senior, she set the school record with 36 stolen bases in the season and also earned All-State, All-County, and All-Region honors. Bell completed her career with four All-County as well as All-Region laurels, three River Ridge team MVP awards, and two All-State honors.
"Lily Bell is a dynamic middle infielder. She is a lead off style slapper with outstanding speed. Lily is a fire starter and sometimes makes the opposing team feel like she is an impossible out," explained Clift. "Lily earned numerous awards and accolades over her decorated high school career at River Ridge and was awarded 6A Player of the Year her junior season. We feel Lilly has a very bright future here at Western."
Sydney Dirks / Infield / Mocksville, N.C.
Dirks joins the Catamounts after a four-year scholastic career at Davie County High School where she set the school record for career home runs with 23. During her senior season, she batted .513 with 40 hits, 11 doubles, six triples, and 10 home runs while driving in 39 runs with 38 runs scored. Dirks earned a spot on the 2023 HighSchoolOT All-State second team and was named All-State and All-District her sophomore through junior seasons and was tabbed as the district Player of the Year during her junior and senior seasons. Dirks was a four-time Central Piedmont All-Conference player. Her sister, London, plays softball at Charlotte.
"Sydney Dirks is primarily a middle infielder, with experience also at third base and has already displayed one of the best arms on the team," said Clift. "She is another great athlete and softball player. Sydney is the consummate power hitter, setting the career home run record at Davie County High School."
Reagan Janney / Outfield / Marietta, Ga.
Janney heads to WCU after a four-year career at Harrison High School. During her junior season, Janney batted .364 with 24 hits, five doubles, one triple, and 15 RBI along with seven stolen bases. While at Harrison, Janney was a member of regional championship teams during her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. A four-year letterwinner, Janney also excelled in the classroom as she earned scholar-athlete honors her sophomore through senior seasons. Janney was the winner of the Hoya Award as a senior and served as a manager for the Harrison baseball team for two seasons and the track & field team for one season.
"Reagan Janney is a lefthanded outfielder who both slaps and hits away," said Clift. "She will be a great table setter who puts the bat on the ball and does her job. Reagan is the consummate team player and will do a solid job for us in the outfield."
Maya McPherson / Infield / Lancaster, Calif.
McPherson heads across the United States to Cullowhee after playing at Quartz Hill High School. McPherson did not play during her senior season but batted .651 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI during her junior season. In addition to playing softball, Maya has competed in archery tournaments since she was 10 years old.
"Maya McPherson is a dynamic power hitter and plays third base. She is an incredibly strong athlete," said Clift. "We are excited to know Maya will be an anchor in our infield for the next four years."
Becka Wonsick / Outfield/Utility / Jefferson, N.C.
Wonsick arrives in Cullowhee after playing at Ashe County High School. As a senior, she hit .559 with 38 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 31 RBI as she earned All-State, All-District, All-Conference, and HighSchoolOT.com second team All-State honors which followed an injury-shortened junior season. She earned All-Northwestern Conference honors as a sophomore after batting .385 with 15 hits, four doubles, three triples, one home run, and 13 RBI along with six stolen bases. For her career, Wonsick finished with a .503 average with 65 hits, 16 doubles, four triples, 19 stolen bases, seven home runs, 54 RBI, and 51 runs scored in 42 games played. A two-sport athlete, Wonsick also lettered in basketball.
"Becka Wonsick is a power hitting outfielder who will also hit for average. Becka is a great teammate and has that 'team first' attitude every coach is looking for," said Clift.
WCU began its fall schedule earlier this month and will continue to play through mid-October. The 2024 season schedule will be released this fall.
Lily Bell / Infield/ Woodstock, Ga.
Bell arrives in Cullowhee after a fantastic career at River Ridge High School. A two-time GACA 6A first team All-State honoree, Bell concluded her career with a .420 batting average, 148 runs scored, a .500 on base percentage, and a school record 114 stolen bases. During her junior season, Bell hit .453 and was named the Georgia Dugout Club 6A State Player of the Year as well as the River Ridge High School MVP for the second straight year after she hit .427 with 36 runs scored and 28 stolen bases as the Knights finished as the 6A state runner-up. As a senior, she set the school record with 36 stolen bases in the season and also earned All-State, All-County, and All-Region honors. Bell completed her career with four All-County as well as All-Region laurels, three River Ridge team MVP awards, and two All-State honors.
"Lily Bell is a dynamic middle infielder. She is a lead off style slapper with outstanding speed. Lily is a fire starter and sometimes makes the opposing team feel like she is an impossible out," explained Clift. "Lily earned numerous awards and accolades over her decorated high school career at River Ridge and was awarded 6A Player of the Year her junior season. We feel Lilly has a very bright future here at Western."
Sydney Dirks / Infield / Mocksville, N.C.
Dirks joins the Catamounts after a four-year scholastic career at Davie County High School where she set the school record for career home runs with 23. During her senior season, she batted .513 with 40 hits, 11 doubles, six triples, and 10 home runs while driving in 39 runs with 38 runs scored. Dirks earned a spot on the 2023 HighSchoolOT All-State second team and was named All-State and All-District her sophomore through junior seasons and was tabbed as the district Player of the Year during her junior and senior seasons. Dirks was a four-time Central Piedmont All-Conference player. Her sister, London, plays softball at Charlotte.
"Sydney Dirks is primarily a middle infielder, with experience also at third base and has already displayed one of the best arms on the team," said Clift. "She is another great athlete and softball player. Sydney is the consummate power hitter, setting the career home run record at Davie County High School."
Reagan Janney / Outfield / Marietta, Ga.
Janney heads to WCU after a four-year career at Harrison High School. During her junior season, Janney batted .364 with 24 hits, five doubles, one triple, and 15 RBI along with seven stolen bases. While at Harrison, Janney was a member of regional championship teams during her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. A four-year letterwinner, Janney also excelled in the classroom as she earned scholar-athlete honors her sophomore through senior seasons. Janney was the winner of the Hoya Award as a senior and served as a manager for the Harrison baseball team for two seasons and the track & field team for one season.
"Reagan Janney is a lefthanded outfielder who both slaps and hits away," said Clift. "She will be a great table setter who puts the bat on the ball and does her job. Reagan is the consummate team player and will do a solid job for us in the outfield."
Maya McPherson / Infield / Lancaster, Calif.
McPherson heads across the United States to Cullowhee after playing at Quartz Hill High School. McPherson did not play during her senior season but batted .651 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI during her junior season. In addition to playing softball, Maya has competed in archery tournaments since she was 10 years old.
"Maya McPherson is a dynamic power hitter and plays third base. She is an incredibly strong athlete," said Clift. "We are excited to know Maya will be an anchor in our infield for the next four years."
Becka Wonsick / Outfield/Utility / Jefferson, N.C.
Wonsick arrives in Cullowhee after playing at Ashe County High School. As a senior, she hit .559 with 38 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 31 RBI as she earned All-State, All-District, All-Conference, and HighSchoolOT.com second team All-State honors which followed an injury-shortened junior season. She earned All-Northwestern Conference honors as a sophomore after batting .385 with 15 hits, four doubles, three triples, one home run, and 13 RBI along with six stolen bases. For her career, Wonsick finished with a .503 average with 65 hits, 16 doubles, four triples, 19 stolen bases, seven home runs, 54 RBI, and 51 runs scored in 42 games played. A two-sport athlete, Wonsick also lettered in basketball.
"Becka Wonsick is a power hitting outfielder who will also hit for average. Becka is a great teammate and has that 'team first' attitude every coach is looking for," said Clift.
WCU began its fall schedule earlier this month and will continue to play through mid-October. The 2024 season schedule will be released this fall.