EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana softball Head Coach Sue Kunkle announced that sophomore pitchers Brittany Ashton and Brandy Wright have signed national letters of intent to compete for the Screaming Eagles in 2010-11.
Ashton, a left-handed hurler, transfers from John A. Logan College where she helped the Volunteers to their first-ever NJCAA Division I Region 24 title in 2010. Ashton, who redshirted in 2009, garnered All-Region honors after going 13-2 with a 1.55 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 85.2 innings of work.
A graduate of Carterville High School, Ashton was the 2008 Southern Illinois Player of the Year and a four-time All-Conference, All-South, and All-State performer. She led CHS to the 2008 IHSA Class 2A state championship and three IHSA Elite Eight appearances.
During her prep career, Ashton went 87-10 with a 0.51 ERA and 946 strikeouts. The 2006 and 2008 Black Diamond Conference most valuable player, Ashton went 25-1 with a 0.26 ERA and 248 strikeouts in 163.2 innings of work during her senior season.
Wright, who sat out the 2010 season, transfers from Lake Land College where she went 4-2 with a 1.28 ERA as a freshman in 2009.
A graduate of Harrison High School (Evansville), Wright earned varsity letters in softball and volleyball during her prep career. She recorded a 1.62 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 82 innings of work during her junior year in 2006.
“Brittany and Brandy complete our deep and talented pitching staff,” Kunkle said. “They both bring experience and the desire to compete and win at this level.
“Brittany is a left-hander and both pitchers have great control of their pitches and have good velocity,” Kunkle continued. “Brandy also will add strength and power to our offensive lineup.”
Ashton and Wright join a list of seven players that signed NLIs during the early signing period last November. That list includes freshman pitcher Madeline Brink, freshman catcher Lauren Hatfield, freshman pitcher/first baseman Kelsey Jankowski, freshman utility player Lindsay Kivett, freshman outfielder Teri Newmaster, freshman infielder/outfielder Alison Nord, and freshman infielder/outfielder Amanda Whitlock.