Southern Miss Softball Lands Five New Golden Eagles on National Signing Day

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss softball program inked five new Golden Eagles on National Signing Day.

Breley Boykin, Maddie Vasquez, Hannah Borden, Caroline Worrell, and Savanna Wood all signed National Letter's of Intent on Wednesday.

Southern Miss Head Softball Coach Wendy Hogue on the 2019 class
"This 2019 class will make an immediate impact on the Southern Miss softball program. All five of these young ladies are winners in all aspects – on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities. The future is bright for softball in Hattiesburg!"

Boykin, a native of Florence, Miss. is the lone in-state product in the 2019 class. Over the course of her high school career at Jackson Prep (Jackson, Miss.), the right-handed pitcher tossed a total of 248 innings, amassing 392 strikeouts. She finished her high school career with a dazzling 0.98 ERA. Boykin produced for the Patriots at the plate as well, posting a .381 AVG accompanied by 12 home runs.

At Jackson Prep, Boykin has garnered many honors on the softball field including: MAIS AAAA Division I Player of the Year (2017 & 2018), Most Valuable Player (Jackson Prep 2017 & 2018), and she was a First Team All-Conference selection in 2017. Boykin also led Jackson Prep to MAIS AAAA Division I State Titles in 2016 and 2017. She completed her high school career earlier this fall due to being a member of a MAIS school. All MAIS schools classify softball as a fall sport.

Boykin played her club softball for MS Elite where she won the ASA 16U National Tournament in 2016 and the USFA State Championship in 2018.

Coach Hogue on what Boykin will bring to the Southern Miss softball program
"Breley is a power pitcher with the ability to step in and pitch for us early and often. She is the epitome of a team player and she will immediately make us better as a team. As an added bonus, she swings the bat and runs well too."

The Golden Eagles added a pair of high school teammates in Maddie Vasquez and Caroline Worrell. The Milton, Fla. natives have racked up their fair share of awards during their careers at Milton High School (Milton, Fla.).

Vasquez, who signed as an infielder, batted .498 in three seasons at Milton High School. Even more impressive, is the fact that she posted a .498 average after coming back from an ACL injury that she sustained during her sophomore season. Vasquez was awarded the Panther Award for her resiliency that she showed during her comeback following the injury.

The left-handed hitter was named the Offensive MVP of the Milton High School softball team from 2016-2018 and she was named the team's Defensive MVP in 2018. Vasquez was a 1^st Team All-Area selection 2016-2018. She played her club softball with West Mobile Express.

Coach Hogue on what Vasquez will contribute to the Southern Miss softball program
"Maddie is a smooth fielding middle infielder with a sweet swing from the left side. She has the ability to play multiple positions and she will immediately battle for a spot in the lineup."

Worrell, the other half of the Milton High School duo, inked with the Golden Eagles as a utility player. Like Vasquez, Worrell is known as a player that can really swing the bat. She is currently ranked as the home run leader in the Pensacola area. She led Milton High School in home runs in 2016 and 2017.

Worrell was a Pensacola News Journal All-Area selection in 2016 and 2017 and she was named Best Defensive Player in 2017 and 2018.

Worrell also excels on the soccer pitch and volleyball court at Milton High School. She was selected to the 2018 Pensacola News Journal All-Area Soccer Team and she also earned Offensive Player of the Year honors following the 2018 season. Worrell was named the MVP of the Milton High School volleyball team in 2016 and 2017 and was voted Milton High School's 2018 Homecoming Queen. Like Vasquez, Worrell also played her club softball with West Mobile Express.

Coach Hogue on the versatility of Worrell
"Caroline is such a great addition to our team! She will spend a lot of time behind the plate early on but she will also battle for a spot in the outfield. She has always demonstrated power and consistency at the plate. She is a fierce competitor with a home run mindset."

Southern Miss picked up a highly touted catching prospect in the form of Trussville, Ala. native, Hannah Borden. Borden's signing comes at a prime time for the Golden Eagles as they will lose current senior catcher and local fan favorite, Samantha Papp due to graduation after the 2019 season.

Over the span of her career at Hewitt-Trussville High School (Trussville, Ala.) Borden was named a 7A Super All-State Honoree as well as a 7A All-State Honoree in 2018. During the 2018 season, Borden registered 18 home runs and 75 RBIs. She was also named a Alabama North/South All-Star.

Borden played her club softball with the Birmingham Thunderbolts. As a member of the Thunderbolts, Borden won the prestigious PGF-Premier World Series in 2018 as well as the Colorado Fireworks Tournament.

Coach Hogue on the signing of Borden
"Hannah is a winner. She is a pitcher's best friend behind the plate and a beast in the batter's box. We should have more tally marks in the home run column upon her arrival in Hattiesburg."

Wood, a right-handed pitcher from Skipperville, Ala. rounds out the Golden Eagles' 2019 signing class. In 2017 and 2018 she was named a 2A All-State Honoree and she was selected to the State All-Tournament Team. Wood led G.W. Long High School (Skipperville, Ala.) to the Alabama 2A State Softball Title in 2018.

During her junior campaign, Wood pitched a total of 82 innings, tallying 112 strikeouts. She finished the season with a record of 12-2 and a 1.27 ERA. She also notched three saves and posted a .340 batting average.

As a sophomore in 2017, she posted a 24-7 record, a .95 ERA, struck out 273 and earned one save. At the plate, she batted .580 with two triples, 14 doubles and 42 RBIs in 119 at-bats.

In 2016, as a freshman, Wood tossed 79 innings, recorded 112 strikeouts and finished the season with a 1.15 ERA. She hit .504 with five triples, 20 doubles and 50 RBIs in 129 at-bats.

Wood played her club softball for the Birmingham Vipers. She won the Bolts 5-Star Tournament in 2018 with the Vipers.

At G.W. Long High School, Wood is also a standout on the basketball court. She was named an All-State Basketball Honoree in 2017 and 2018 and she was selected to the Basketball State All-Tournament Team in 2017. Wood served as president of her class in 2016 and 2017.

Coach Hogue on the addition of Wood to the Southern Miss softball program
"Savanna will complete our very versatile pitching staff. She is so talented in the circle – a power pitcher with a keen ability to spin it and spot it. Along with pitching prowess, she brings with her, a very hefty bat."

With so many talented recruits making their pledge to the Southern Miss softball program official on Wednesday, fans should be excited for the future of the program and what the newly acquired Golden Eagles will bring to the diamond in Hattiesburg.

University of Southern Mississippi Athletics

Southern Miss Softball Lands Five New Golden Eagles on National Signing Day

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