Turner, Kahlert headline big signing class for UNG softball

By staff reports

Posted 9:15PM on Tuesday 25th November 2014 ( 10 years ago )

DAHLONEGA -- University of North Georgia head softball coach Mike Davenport has announced the signing of eight student-athletes to NCAA National Letters of Intent. Seven of the eight players hail from the state of Georgia while one player comes to UNG from just across the border of the Tar Heel state of North Carolina. "We are very excited about the 2015 class we were able to bring in to our program during the early signing period," Davenport said. "Each one of these young ladies will be a tremendous asset to the North Georgia Softball program as well as an asset to our university as student-athletes. We look forward to the opportunity to coach this class and are extremely excited about the impact they will have on our program. " Brittani Crawford, 1B/OF - McDonough (Union Grove) Crawford is finishing her high school career as the home run record holder at Union Grove. The First Team All-Region member batted .383 her senior year with 11 homeruns. Playing for Coach Lee Kicklighter, the incoming first baseman/outfielder helped lead her high school team to the GHSA Elite 8 three out of her four years. Crawford is also a 2012 GHSA State Softball Champion. During her senior season she was a member of the Georgia Dugout Club All-Star game. In the classroom, she excels as a member of the Honor Roll. She plays her travel ball for Coach Vance Medlam and the Georgia Impact. In 2012, her travel team won Premier Nationals at the 16U level. Morgan Helton, IF - Murphy, N.C. (Hiwassee Dam) Helton is a four-year varsity starter and boasts a .541 batting average from her junior year at Hiwassee Dam. She is a three-time All-State selection under the guidance of Coach Shannon Helton (Morgan's father). The District Player of the Year tied for the most homeruns while recording 71 stolen bases in her career. Off the field, Helton excels on the basketball court and in the classroom as well. She was conference player of the year her junior year in basketball. Helton is a member of the National Honor Society, academically gifted program, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Spanish club. She plays her travel ball with the Georgia Force Organization under Coach Terry Pealor where they garnered a 13th place finish at ASA Nationals in 2014. Kelly Kahlert, OF - Flowery Branch (Flowery Branch) Kahlert played her high school ball at Flowery Branch where she recorded 200 career hits. The four-time 1st team All-Region member batted .601 her senior year which contributed to her 2014 Georgia Dugout Club All-Star game selection. Led by coaches Laura Novotny-Beaver and Steve Rothschild, Kahlert gathered All-State honors in 2012. A four-year scholar athlete, Kahlert will begin her college career having already taken dual enrollment classes as a senior. Kahlert attended the ASA National tournament from 2012 to 2014 with her travel ball team, Team Georgia, but will be playing for the Georgia Impact this summer, along with future teammate Brittani Crawford. Brianna Michaud, RHP - Marietta (Lassiter) Michaud comes to North Georgia with four years of experience in the circle at Lassiter earning her Cobb County Pitcher of the Year honors in her senior season. The 2014 1st Team All-State and Marietta Daily Journal's Pitcher of the Year played her high school ball for Coach Jason Campbell. Michaud helped lead her team to their second straight Final Four finish in Georgia high school's highest division (6A). In her final two seasons of high school, she has pitched perfect games during the GHSA State playoffs. She plays her travel ball with the Georgia Fire under Jeff Michaud and has competed in the ASA Nationals the past seven years. Kaycie Oakley, OF/IF - Elberton (Elbert County Comprehensive) Oakley prepped at Elbert County under Coach Lori Starrett where she was a two-time All Region selection. The utility player finished her senior year with a batting average of .432 including seven homeruns, which led to her 2014 Georgia Dugout Club All-Star game selection. Oakley currently holds the career homerun record for her high school with 24. She plays her travel ball with the Southern Force Gold organization under Coach Dale Palmer where she collected a 5th place finish at ASA Nationals in 2014. Kali Turner, IF - Lula (East Hall) Turner hails from East Hall where she played her high school career for Coach Jenny Crow. Turner boasted a .503 batting average her senior year which contributed to her All-Region recognition. The three-time All-Region member won her the EHHS Lady Viking Award in 2014. Off the field, Turner is a three-time member of the Beta Club. Turner and her travel ball team, the Atlanta Vipers, were top ten finishers at Nationals under Coach Alan Kates. Macy Watkins, P/1B - Gordon (Georgia Military College Prep School) Watkins, a 2014 State Champion, is finishing her high school career at Georgia Military College Prep School. Playing for Coach Julie Brooker, the incoming pitcher/first baseman hit .411 while posting a 1.64 ERA. A member of the 2014 Georgia Dugout Club All-Star game, Watkins is a three time All State recipient. Watkins is very active in her school when she is not on the field. Aside from carrying a 4.0 GPA, she is a member of the Honor Council, FCA Leadership, National Honor Society, Senior Beta Club, Spanish Honor Society and the Yearbook Staff. She is a Distinguished Order of the Servant Leader award winner for her service in the community. She plays her travel ball with the Georgia Outlaws and Coach Rodney White. Whitney Worth, OF - Ellaville (Schley County) Worth played her high school career at Schley County. In her three years as a starter on the varsity team, Worth stole 81 bases and was only thrown out three times. The outfielder is a four-time All-Region recipient as she has helped lead her team to the Elite Eight the past two years. Worth, who competes on the track and basketball team, is also a member of the Beta Club, Foreign Language Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Locked in Youth Group. She carries a 4.0 GPA and is a four-year Principal's Honor Roll award winner. She plays her travel ball for Coach Richard Browne and the USSSA Georgia Pride 18U where she hit .410.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/11/282269