WINTERVILLE—Pitt Community College Softball welcomed players and their families from the program's 2018 recruiting class Jan. 23 for an official signing ceremony in the Ed and Joan Warren Building.
"The coaching staff is extremely excited to welcome these young ladies to the PCC family," said first-year PCC Softball Coach Jennie Harp. "Each player brings a unique skillset we believe will continue PCC's winning tradition on and off the field."
Harp's first recruiting class at Pitt is comprised of nine players. They are:
- Breanna Spain-Hardee – (Utility) D.H. Conley High School
- Haley Rivenbark – (P/IF) Wallace-Rose High School
- Jessica D'Elia – (IF/Utility) New Bern High School
- Janna Dawson – (P/IF) South Lenoir High School
- Bethany Locklear – (P/IF) Hoke County High School
- Julia Gonzalez – (Utility) Jacksonville High School
- Sydney Jenkins – (P/IF) Gray's Creek High School
- Lynsi Botzenhart – (Utility) Southwest Onslow High School
- Meghan Pullicino – (Utility) Jacksonville High School
With two sophomore pitchers on track to graduate after the 2017 season, Harp said finding players to fill the circle next season was a recruiting priority. She ended up signing four pitchers, each with a distinct throwing style to benefit the Bulldogs immediately in 2018.
The remaining five members of Harp's recruiting class are essentially utility players who will look to contribute in a multitude of ways at a number of positions. In addition to playing at their respective high schools, many of them also have experience as part of competitive travel teams.
"Bringing in a freshman class of this size, the more experience they have in successful programs, the more benefits they will bring to the program when they join our prospective returnees from this year's team," Harp said.
The 2017 Bulldogs open the season Feb. 1 with a nine-inning scrimmage at Barton College, which is led by former PCC Softball Coach Junior Bailey. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Wilson.