Southern Miss Softball Signs Pitcher and Outfielder
7/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Southern Miss Softball Signs Pitcher and Outfielder
Southern Miss softball coach Gay McNutt announced the signing of Danielle Hatfield (Jr., P, Kearny, Ariz.) and Erica King (Jr., OF, Folsom, La.) to national letters of intent for the 2002-03 school year.
Hatfield comes from Central Arizona Junior College, where she collected a 65-3 two-year pitching record, breaking the school?s career mark. Last season, she finished 35-1, tying the school?s season record, and claimed an 0.92 ERA and 159 strikeouts.
She was a second-team All-American last season and a two-time all-region performer. Hatfield led her squad to a regional championship last year, finishing tied for fifth in the national tournament. A graduate of Ray High School, she was a three-time first-team all-conference performer and a three-time team most valuable player.
?I?m extremely excited about Danielle coming here,? said McNutt. ?She had a tremendous record at Central Arizona, and for her come here is a great addition. She finds a way to win, and that?s what we are looking for. We need to put some winners out there on the field, especially in the pitcher?s circle, and she finds a way to get it done.?
King is transferring from Troy State University, where she competed in 31 games, starting six in the outfield, and helping the Trojans finish 46-20 in 2002. TSU was ranked as high as 19th in the nation during the season.
An all-state performer at Covington High School, King led the Lions to district titles in 1997, 1998 and 2000. She was named first-team all-district in her last two seasons and graduated with a 3.5 grade point average.
?When you only have three outfielders, it?s tough to win ball games. You?re always holding your breath, hoping somebody doesn?t get hurt,? said McNutt. ?Erica is fast and already has some college experience, so she is going to push for some time in the outfield. She is going to make us better, make us stronger and definitely make us quicker.?
Hatfield and King increase the total to seven signees joining the Lady Eagles next year. Ashley Brenan (Fr., 3B/2B, Spring, Texas), Charity Butler (Fr., SS/Utility, Pensacola, Fla.), Ashley Davis (Fr., SS, Chesapeake City, Md.), Jessica Huerta (Fr., SS, Pearland, Texas) and Danielle Wymer (Fr., P/1B, Houston, Texas) signed during the early signing period.
Southern Miss finished the 2002 season with a 28-35 overall record, finishing second in Conference USA with a 15-8 league record. The Lady Eagles look to return to their previous success when the 2003 season begins.
In 2001, the Lady Eagles finished the year 46-21, claiming their second-straight C-USA title and third-straight appearance in the NCAA Regionals. Southern Miss has made some impressive accomplishments since the reinstatement of the softball program in 1999, including two trips to the Women?s College World Series in 1999 and 2000.