University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
McNutt Completes 2007 Softball Roster
9/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 8, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Head Coach Gay McNutt announced the signing of six players, including four freshmen, along with a sophomore and junior transfer for the 2007 season today.
Joining the team are Karissa Jones (Pearland HS, Pearland, Texas), Ashlyn Harmon (Holden La., Louisiana College), Brittney Pigott (Poplarville, Miss, Pearl River CC), Lauren Castellvi (Tampa, Fla., H.B. Plant HS), Krystle Dawson (Arlington, Texas, James Bowie HS) and Artesian Boyd (Meridian, Miss., Meridian HS).
The players will make up a newcomer class of 11 for the 2007 season and will join a trio from Oak Grove HS in Hattiesburg, Megan Hill, Holly Milner and Logan James, along with Madison Central standout Brittany Wright (Madison, Miss) and Franklinton HS product Brandi Alonzo (Franklinton, La.), all of whom signed in February.
"I'm excited about all our newcomers," McNutt said. "Our returners will tell you how excited we are about our newcomers. They are a terrific group. They are talented, hard workers and have added excitement to the program. The whole team has come together well."
Fall practice begins on September 18 for the team. McNutt said that junior outfielder Jennifer Fox (foot surgery), a first-team All-Conference USA performer in 2006 and sophomore catcher Kristin Pilgrim (knee surgery) would likely be limited in the spring.
"I'm extremely excited about this team," McNutt said. "Pitching is going to be the area where we will need to work harder. We're going to have a great defense and we're going to be a quick team."
Southern Miss returns four position starters and three pitchers from last year's team that finished 29-38. The Golden Eagles will play two fall tournaments, the Spring Klein Classic on Oct. 14-15, before hosting the Southern Miss Fall Tournament on Feb. 28-29.
The Golden Eagles open the 2007 season on Feb. 9 against Stephen F. Austin in the Gettermen Classic in Waco, Texas.
Karissa Jones (5-2, SS/3B, Freshman, Pearland HS/Pearland, Texas)
Jones was a four-year letterwinner for Coach Laneigh Clark at Pearland HS ... She started at third base as a junior and senior, and was a team captain in 2006 ... In her career, team finished with a 94-32 record, and made four playoff appearances ... Earned honorable mention all-district honors as a senior ... Helped the team to a 30-8 record as a senior, and a runner up finish in District 24-5A ... As a junior, helped the team to a 22-7 record, including a runner-up finish in District 24-5A ... Helped the team to a 22-8 record as a sophomore and 20-9 record as a freshman ... NCAA Scholar athlete in 2005-06 ... Regional Finalist in 2006 ... Honorable-mention All-District in 2006 ... Team won the district title in 2006 ... Gatorade Rookie of the Year in 2002 ... Played travel ball with the Texas Sliders for six years and the Texas Cobras for one year ... National Honor Society.
"We will look at her at second and third base," McNutt said. "She's got a great glove defensively. We've got to get her up to speed offensively. She's not a power hitter, but she is someone that puts the ball in play and a gap hitter. Defensively, she can hold her own."
Ashlyn Harmon (5-6, Utility, Sophomore, Harmon, La./Louisiana College)
Played one season at Louisiana College for Coach Tim Whitman ... Played in 42 games and made 40 starts ... Finished with a .309 batting average, 34 hits (7th on team), 13 doubles (T2 on team), 13 runs, one triple, five home runs (T4), 30 RBIs (3rd), 64 total bases and one stolen base ... Finished with eight multi-hit games on the year (seven with two, one with three) and nine multi-RBI games (seven with two, two with three) ... Prior to Louisiana College, Harmon was a four-year letterwinner for Coach Robbie Spangler and Lauren Byars at Denham Springs HS ... All-District Selection from 2003 - 2005 ... First Team All-State in 2005 ... Academic All-State in 2005 ... Two-year letterwinner in basketball ... Played travel ball for four years with the Patriots, along with one-year each with the 007's and Dejavu ... Won the state championship two years with the Patriots.
"We're not sure where we're going to put Ashley right now," McNutt said. "She'll work in the outfield and infield. Offensively, she did well at Louisiana College. We'll have to see how she does against Division I pitching.
Brittney Pigott (5-10, OF, Junior, Poplarville, Miss./Pearl River CC)
Played and lettered for two years at Pearl River CC for Coach Leigh White ... Before attending Pearl River CC, she played for Coach Jonathan Ray at Poplarville HS ... Also lettered in basketball and track.
"She's a very exciting player," McNutt said. "She can run and has a great arm. I see her getting a lot of playing time in the outfield."
Lauren Castellvi (5-3, 2B/3B, Freshman, Tampa, Fla./H.B. Plant HS)
Played for coaches Sallie Scudder and Stephanie Ferlita at H.B. Plant HS ... Hit .469 as a senior and scored 23 runs ... Helped the team to a district championship for three consecutive years ... Team finished as regional runner up for three consecutive years ... Team captain as a junior and senior ... Honorable-mention All-State as a senior ... First-team all-county as a senior ... Earned second-team all-county honors as a junior ... First-team all-county as a sophomore ... Played travel ball for the South Tampa Spartans from 1999-2001 ... Also played for the Tampa Mustangs from 2002-06.
"She'll be a second or third baseman," McNutt said. "We don't have a true first baseman. We're going to have to pick our starting second, shortstop and third baseman and then whoever helps us offensively, teach them to play first. That won't be difficult to do, because they're all knowledgeable."
Krystle Dawson (5-10, OF/1B, Freshman, Arlington, Texas/James Bowie HS)
Played for Coach Kari Kitchens at James Bowie HS ... Hit .368 as a senior ... Played travel ball with the Dirt Devils from 2005-06 and the Bule Streaks in 2005 ... Hit .409 with the Dirt Devils in 2005 ... She is the daughter of 1987 National League MVP Andre Dawson.
"She has so much potential," McNutt said. "She's a specimen to look at as an athlete. We've got to develop her more, but she's working hard. We've got a great athlete on our hands."
Artesian Boyd (5-3, OF, Freshman, Meridian, Miss./Meridian HS)
Played for Coach Susan Frazier ... Hit .391 with 14 RBIs and 12 stolen bases as a junior ... Helped the team to a 17-9 record and the District 4-5A championship ... Named Miss. Meridian High School ... Also a recipient of the Brian Keith Cole Memorial Scholarship Award ... Played on the Class 4-5A all-star team ... Also ran track.
"She's will play in the outfield," McNutt said. "We're not sure what we have with her yet. She might be a role player right now. She's a hard worker and is good physically."
