University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Softball Signs Seven During Early Signing Period
11/19/2019 9:52:00 AM | Softball
The seven signees will join the Southern Miss softball program in the Fall of 2020.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Head Coach Brian Levin and the Southern Miss softball program received National Letters of Intent from all seven members of the 2020 signing class during the early signing period, which opened on Wednesday, November 13.
Natalie Hurdle, Reese Earleywine, Lexie Smith, Ryleigh Cawby, Maria Smith, Karsen Pierce and Keely Wright are the seven future Golden Eagles that officially signed to compete for the program.
Southern Miss Head Softball Coach Brian Levin on the 2020 Signing Class
"We are excited about the 2020 class. We have filled some outfield, infield, catching and pitching spots with this class of talented players. They all possess incredible athleticism. They combine to have speed and power, along with very high softball IQs and I think they will make an immediate impact on the program on and off the field. The most impressive thing about all of them is that they possess impeccable character. Those that follow the Southern Miss softball program will be proud of how they will represent the program with pride and dignity. We look forward to getting them on campus and making them a part of the Golden Eagle softball family."
Natalie Hurdle
Outfielder | Daphne, Ala. | UMS-Wright Preparatory School | Birmingham Thunderbolts Premiere
"I was impressed by the university and the programs offered, and I am excited about the direction that the softball team is going."
Reese Earleywine
Infielder | Wildwood, Mo. | Westminster Christian Academy | St. Louis Fusion Elite
"I chose Southern Miss because I loved the school and the atmosphere, and after meeting with the coaching staff I knew that Southern Miss is exactly where I wanted to spend the rest of my softball career!"
Lexie Smith
Catcher | Collinsville, Miss. | West Lauderdale High School | MS Elite
"I choose to further my academic and softball career at Southern Miss because the atmosphere is very welcoming and the Southern Miss campus makes you feel right at home."
Ryleigh Cawby
Outfielder | Pensacola, Fla. | J.M. Tate High School | Louisville Lady Sluggers 18U – Huecker
"From my first camp and visit at Southern Miss I loved absolutely everything about it, the team, the campus and the area. Southern Miss has always been my number one and I have wanted to play and be a part of this team for as long as I can remember. I love everything Southern Miss. This is where I have dreamed of playing softball and I am so very excited to now have the opportunity to play as a Golden Eagle."
Maria Smith
Shortstop | Edwardsville, Ill. | Edwardsville High School | Midland Magic
"I chose Southern Miss because of the environment and the competition level."
Karsen Pierce
Pitcher | Daphne, Ala. | Daphne High School | Impact Gold Premier
"I chose Southern Miss because it feels like family. I love the atmosphere and community that surrounds this team and school!"
Keeley Wright
Infielder | Shepherd, Texas | Splendora High School | Texas Dirt Divas
"The school and people of Southern Miss really influenced my decision to commit here. I felt as though this school upheld the same standards as I do and it felt like home."
For all of the latest Southern Miss softball news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss softball Twitter account (@SouthernMissSB), Instagram account (@southernmisssb) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Softball).
Natalie Hurdle, Reese Earleywine, Lexie Smith, Ryleigh Cawby, Maria Smith, Karsen Pierce and Keely Wright are the seven future Golden Eagles that officially signed to compete for the program.
Southern Miss Head Softball Coach Brian Levin on the 2020 Signing Class
"We are excited about the 2020 class. We have filled some outfield, infield, catching and pitching spots with this class of talented players. They all possess incredible athleticism. They combine to have speed and power, along with very high softball IQs and I think they will make an immediate impact on the program on and off the field. The most impressive thing about all of them is that they possess impeccable character. Those that follow the Southern Miss softball program will be proud of how they will represent the program with pride and dignity. We look forward to getting them on campus and making them a part of the Golden Eagle softball family."
Natalie Hurdle
Outfielder | Daphne, Ala. | UMS-Wright Preparatory School | Birmingham Thunderbolts Premiere
- Five-time All-County selection
- Varsity co-captain
- Two-time recipient of the Lady Bulldog Award
- Two-time Golden Glove Award winner
- Six-year varsity starter
"I was impressed by the university and the programs offered, and I am excited about the direction that the softball team is going."
Reese Earleywine
Infielder | Wildwood, Mo. | Westminster Christian Academy | St. Louis Fusion Elite
- First Team All-Region selection
- Two-time First Team All-District selection
"I chose Southern Miss because I loved the school and the atmosphere, and after meeting with the coaching staff I knew that Southern Miss is exactly where I wanted to spend the rest of my softball career!"
Lexie Smith
Catcher | Collinsville, Miss. | West Lauderdale High School | MS Elite
- 2019 MAC All-Star Fast Pitch Softball Game selection
- Named the Clarion Ledger's #MSPreps Athlete of the Week (week of April 1-6, 2019)
- Three-time Premier Preps of East Mississippi softball team selection
- All-State Tournament Team selection
- Five-time First Team All-District selection
- MVP Award recipient
- Four-time Defense Award recipient
- Best Defense Award recipient
- Four-time Best Offense Award recipient
"I choose to further my academic and softball career at Southern Miss because the atmosphere is very welcoming and the Southern Miss campus makes you feel right at home."
Ryleigh Cawby
Outfielder | Pensacola, Fla. | J.M. Tate High School | Louisville Lady Sluggers 18U – Huecker
- 2019 All-Area Team selection
- Pensacola News Journal's Top 10 Leaderboard
- J.M. Tate High School team leader in runs scored, RBIs, and stolen bases
- Helped lead the J.M. Tate Aggies to three district titles
- Recipient of the Softball Scholar Award
"From my first camp and visit at Southern Miss I loved absolutely everything about it, the team, the campus and the area. Southern Miss has always been my number one and I have wanted to play and be a part of this team for as long as I can remember. I love everything Southern Miss. This is where I have dreamed of playing softball and I am so very excited to now have the opportunity to play as a Golden Eagle."
Maria Smith
Shortstop | Edwardsville, Ill. | Edwardsville High School | Midland Magic
- First Team All-State selection
- First Team All-Metro selection
- Two-time Second Team All-Metro selection
- Three-time First Team All-Area selection
- Three-time First Team All-Conference selection
- Named MVP as a junior
- Two-time All-Conference selection (volleyball)
"I chose Southern Miss because of the environment and the competition level."
Karsen Pierce
Pitcher | Daphne, Ala. | Daphne High School | Impact Gold Premier
- 2019 Alabama All-Star selection
- Two-time All-State selection
- Two-time All-Region selection
- Two-time All-County selection
- Hit more home runs than any underclassman in 2018
- First seventh grader to hit a home run in AHSAA 6A softball in 2015
- Second softball player to ever letter at Daphne High School as a seventh grader
- Six-time varsity letterman
- Helped Daphne High School to a second place finish in AHSAA 6A as a freshman in 2017 and to a third place finish as a seventh grader in 2015
- Younger sister of current Southern Miss sophomore pitcher Makenna Pierce
"I chose Southern Miss because it feels like family. I love the atmosphere and community that surrounds this team and school!"
Keeley Wright
Infielder | Shepherd, Texas | Splendora High School | Texas Dirt Divas
- Three-time All-District First Team selection
- Helped Splendora High School to the State Semifinals in 2019
- 2019 District Champion
- Named Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore
- Led her respective district in stolen bases as a freshman
- Lettered in softball, volleyball, basketball, cross country, cheerleading and band
"The school and people of Southern Miss really influenced my decision to commit here. I felt as though this school upheld the same standards as I do and it felt like home."
For all of the latest Southern Miss softball news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss softball Twitter account (@SouthernMissSB), Instagram account (@southernmisssb) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Softball).
Players Mentioned
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