NATCHITOCHES – After signing a diverse 11-player class in the fall, Northwestern State softball coach Donald Pickett couldn't resist adding just one more.

Freshman pitcher Cassidy Ferrill, a key arm for No. 1 Tyler Junior College (Texas), recently signed with NSU and could be a key addition to a staff that had just two healthy pitchers for most of this season.

Ferrill sports a 20-0 record with a team-low 1.52 ERA for an Apache squad that is currently 57-4 at National Junior College Athletic Association Division I level.

The Hallsville, Texas, native was selected to the NJCAA Region XIV East Conference second team after striking out 107 batters in 119 2-3 innings while walking 55. Ferrill has allowed 31 runs (26 earned) in 30 appearances (29 starts).

"She's a great kid and a great athlete," Pickett said. "She will help our staff to have the depth and diversity we need to continue our success, and I'm very excited to see what the future holds for her.

"She's a pitcher in that she has a great idea about how to attack hitters and also has the mental toughness she needs to be successful."

Ferrill will be joining two former Hallsville High School (Texas) teammates in the incoming class.

NSU signed senior outfielder Julie Rawls (MaxPreps 5A Player of the Year in 2015) and catcher Emma Hawthorne from Hallsville this fall.

Ferrill was an impact player in her own right as she led Hallsville to the state semifinals in 2015.

The right-hander was a two-time TSWA 5A All-State first-team selection, a two-time East Texas Player of the Year (once from Tyler Morning Telegraph and once from Longview News Journal) and a two-time district MVP.

Ferrill was a TSWA All-State selection as a utility player during her sophomore season.