JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida softball coach Sonya Wilmoth has announced the signing of eight new players that will begin play for the Lady Ospreys in the spring of 2009.
Seven of Wilmoth’s signees are high school players, with one junior college transfer in the mix.
The Lady Ospreys will wave goodbye to four seniors after the 2008 season, all of which are starters. That leaves Wilmoth with holes to fill at three spots in the infield and one at pitcher.
“This group brings a great deal of experience playing at the highest levels of club softball in Florida,” Wilmoth said. “It is a strong class that will fight hard for immediate spots in the lineup.”
UNF will add infielders Brittany Dowdle, Britanie Block and Kaci Huneke to the squad, along with outfielders Ariana Godwin and Alyson Bailey. Pitcher Shaina Dent and catcher Airen Payne will join utility player Amanda Mosley to round out the class.
Mosley will add instant fire to the SunTrust River City Rumble, the annual all sports competition between UNF and cross-town rival Jacksonville, when she meets up with her sister, Amber, who is a sophomore first baseman on the JU squad.
Payne is the only junior college transfer among the signees. She was an academic all-conference selection as a freshman at Daytona BeachCommunity College last season and will give UNF a pair of junior backstops next season to go along with senior Lauren Pulling.
Dent and Huneke were both listed among the top recruits in the state by Rivals.com. Dent has earned Orlando Sentinel Player of the Year honors her first three high school seasons. Helping that cause was a 21-3 record to go along with a perfect game during the 2007 season.
All seven players will enroll during the fall of 2008 and begin competing for the Lady Ospreys during the spring of 2009.
2007 Softball Signing Class
Alyson Bailey-3B/OF (Boynton Beach, Fla. – Park Vista HS)
Notables: Utility player who played with Britanie Block for the Gold Coast Hurricanes Gold Cotrone … good hitter with fundamentally sound skills … member of the first class of athletes at Park Vista High School to sign collegiate scholarships.
Britanie Block-INF (Pembroke Pines, Fla. – Pines Carter HS)
Notables: Can play almost all positions on the infield … solid hitter who brings a great deal of ASA Gold experience to UNF … played for Gold Coast Hurricane Gold Cotrone … 2007 4A all-state selection.
Shaina Dent-P (Lake Sumter, Fla. –Southlake HS)
Notables: Played travel softball for the Gold Coast Hurricanes Gold … pitcher that throws hard and has command of all her pitches … three-time Orlando Sentinel Softball Player of the Year … had a 21-3 record last season, including one perfect-game in which she struck out all 21 batters she faced … listed among the Rivals.com top prospects in the state of Florida for 2008.
Brittany Dowdle-SS/2B (Pensacola HS – Pace HS)
Notables: Former all-state performer (2007) at MandarinHigh School in Jacksonville … currently at PaceHigh School in Pensacola, Fla. … can play either middle infield position … played for the West Florida Elite.
Ariana Godwin-OF (Groveland, Fla. – Southlake HS)
Notables: Speedy outfielder whose ability to get on base and steal bases puts pressure on opposing defenses … will join teammate Shaina Dent in the 2008 class at UNF … second team all-state selection in 2007.
Kaci Huneke-1B/3B (Largo, Fla. – Seminole HS)
Notables: Can play either corner on the infield … solid hitter who brings ASA gold experience to the field ... listed among the Rivals.com top prospects in the state of Florida for 2008 … 2007 5A all-state honorable mention.
Amanda Moseley-UTIL (West Palm Beach, Fla. – Royal Palm Beach HS)
Notables: Utility player that can play anywhere on the infield/outfield and can even catch if necessary … fundamentally sound player that brings speed to the lineup … recruited by LSU and Georgia … sister, Amber, plays softball at JU.
Airen Payne-C (Cocoa Beach, Fla. – Daytona Beach CC)
Notables: Only junior college transfer to sign with UNF in the fall … has great fundamentals behind the plate and is a good hitter … named an academic all-conference selection as a freshman … hit .409 with a team-best six homers, nine doubles, two triples and 17 RBIs her senior season.