University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Softball Announces Five Additions to 2012 Signing Class
1/18/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 18, 2012
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss softball co-head coaches Jon Malgradi and Kirsten Voak announced the first five members of their 2012 signing class today with the signing of Maddie Ridgway (Birmingham, Ala.), Sarah Evans (Chino, Calif.), Jenifer Gary (Biloxi, Miss.), Emily Wood (Suwanee, Ga.) and Michelle Stringer (Waveland, Miss.).
"We are excited about the potential for immediate impact this class offers," said Voak. "All five of these young women have the ability to contribute right away and we've found a great blend of speed, versatility and ability to play a great brand of softball at Southern Miss."
Ridgway was a four-year letterwinner for coach Danny DuBose at Oak Mountain High School and finished the 2011 campaign with a .325 batting average and .385 on-base percentage. She also participated in the 2011 Alabama High School All-Star Game as a member of the South squad and has been a member of the high school honor roll for three years.
The Birmingham, Ala., native also played for coach David Seitz as a member of the Alabama Twisters travel squad. She is the daughter of Greg and Kathleen Ridgway.
Evans comes to Southern Miss after a successful playing career with the Hit Away Gold travel team under the direction of Julie and Dee Lindley. A two-time scholar athlete at Don Lugo High School in Chino, Calif., Evans was a dual-sport athlete, lettering in both volleyball and softball and was also named to the California State Federation of High School Scholars. Evans is the daughter of Art and Julee Evans.
Gary, a product of St. Patrick Catholic High School in Biloxi, has a career batting average of .395 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI and a 6-3 record with 87 strikeouts as a pitcher. Her team, led by coach Tommy Castenado, advanced to the Class 3A State Championship series and she has made the All-South Mississippi softball team for the past two years. Gary also spent time with the Coastal Chaos travel team, led by coach Bruce Blaker.
An honor roll student, she is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the Interact Club. Gary is the daughter of Judy and Jeff Gary.
Wood led her North Gwinnett High School squad to the state playoffs during her junior and senior years and was a three-year letterwinner in the circle for coach Randy Black.
The daughter of Andy and Pippa Wood, she also played for coach Michael Syrop on the East Cobb Bullets Gold travel team and finished No. 17 nationally with a 1.1 ERA at ASA Nationals.
Stringer comes to Southern Miss from Bay High School where she played for coach Wali Shabazz. She carries with her a .559 batting average to go along with a .897 slugging percentage with 29 RBI, nine doubles and four home runs. In the circle, Stringer racked up 102 strikeouts in 17 games while tossing two no-hitters and three shutouts.
A 2011 All-State second team selection, Stringer is the daughter of Lisa Campbell and was a four-year letter winning in softball and soccer. She also played for Mississippi Motion and coach Glenn Erickson.
The 2012 softball campaign is set to begin on Friday, February 10 with the beginning of the Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic. The Golden Eagles will open play against Central Arkansas with the first pitch at 5 p.m.
