NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State softball finished its 2016 signing class with the addition of three players Thursday.
The Lady Demons have an 11-player signing class with letters of intent from Sidney Harris, Ashton Priester and Allie Williams.
Harris is a power hitter from Travis High School (Texas) that is an all-district and academic all-district performer. The three-year letterwinner won the team MVP award on a district champion team.
"Sidney is a big right-handed power hitter who is fast," said NSU coach Donald Pickett. "She can be a corner infielder or an outfielder, and she brings a lot of power to the lineup.
"She played for Impact Gold, the top travel team in Houston. We're excited to have Sidney and her family joining our program just as we are for all of these players and their families becoming part of our family."
Priester is a utility player from Live Oak High in Watson, La. Priester is a multi-sport athlete lettering in softball, volleyball and track and field in her high school career.
Live Oak is a perennial softball heavyweight in Class 5A that was a No. 3 seed this past season.
"Ashton brings a lot of versatility to this team as a utility player," Priester said. "She brings a lot speed, and she can help us by playing a lot of different spots.
"She can run the bases and score some runs. She can play in the middle infield or in the outfield and can use her short game at the plate. We need kids that are versatile to help us win."
Williams is a Pineville High catcher that will join the program as a walk-on.
Williams is a three-time All-Cenla selection (Alexandria Town Talk), a three-time all-district pick and a two-time All-State honorable mention.
"Allie does a really good job behind the plate and managing the game," Pickett said. "She's a really good defensive catcher with a good arm and quick release.
"She's got a lot of experience playing for Pineville in Class 5A and also with one of the Voodoo teams. She's played some competitive softball, and she'll really help us behind the plate to do the things we need to be successful."
The other eight members of NSU's signing class announced Wednesday include Hayley Barbazon (Belle Chasse HS), Toni Hebert (John Curtis Christian), Madelyn Matt (St. Mary's HS), Adele Vincent (North Vermilion HS), Elise Vincent (North Vermilion HS), Julie Rawls (Hallsville HS), Emma Hawthorne (Hallsville HS) and Kaitlyn St. Clair (Cy Woods HS).
