The Bulldogs landed the No. 4 signing class in the nation on Wednesday, reeling in a total of nine players for the 2017 class.
Bulldogs Sign Nine, Land No. 4 Recruiting Class in The Nation
November 09, 2016 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – With the spring season just around the corner, the Mississippi State softball program reeled in the fourth-ranked recruiting class during the early signing period for the 2017 season, Vann Stuedeman announced on Wednesday.
"I'd like to commend Coach [Samantha] Ricketts and [Tyler] Bratton for their efforts in solidifying such a strong signing class," Stuedeman said. "I'd also like to thank each family for choosing Mississippi State. Every member of this signing class exemplifies the Mississippi State softball core values: Selfless, Excellent and Competitive. I am proud to have them joining the Bulldog nation and honored to have the opportunity to coach these young ladies."
A total of nine players make up the Bulldogs' 2017 class, which was ranked fourth in the nation by Flo Softball. Of those nine, five incoming Bulldogs were ranked in Flo Softball's Top 150, with three inside the Top 35.
Leading the way for State's signing class is fourth-ranked Mia Davidson (Hillsborough, N.C.), a talented All-American C/3B that joins MSU after a standout career at Orange High School. Davidson, who played travel ball with AL Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier and NC Lady Lightning Gold, brings a number of accolades to the Maroon and White, including being named the 2016 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year.
Joining Davidson in the infield will be 1B O'Neil Roberson (Birmingham, Ala.) and SS Kinsey Goelz (Myakka City, Fla.), who are ranked 33rd and 34th in the nation, respectively. Roberson is an All-State standout that holds the single-season home run record for Oak Mountain HS. Goelz starred for Lakewood Ranch HS, earning numerous All-State and All-Area honors. Both Roberson and Goelz played travel ball for AL Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier, while Goelz also was a standout for the FL Tampa Mustangs.
Rounding out State's ranked recruits are No. 60 Alex Wilcox (Brantley, Ala.) and No. 143 Carter Spexarth (The Woodlands, Texas). Wilcox, who doubles as a pitcher and outfielder, comes to MSU after leading Brantley HS to state championships the last three seasons. She also starred on the travel ball scene for AL Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier. Spexarth has been one of the top players in Texas, playing for Tomball HS and TX Peppers Gold in travel ball.
Adding to the Bulldogs' depth in the circle will be Emily Williams (Carrollton, Ga.). An All-County standout for Central Carrollton HS, Williams was also a member of the AL Birmingham Thunderbolts Greenwood travel squad. Williams helped lead CCHS to the 2016 Georgia AAAA State Championship with a 4-0 record, throwing three no-hitters and a one-hitter en route to the title. Of the 84 outs Williams recorded in the tournament, 74 of them came via strikeout.
The Bulldogs went to the West Coast and in their own backyard to add more depth to their outfield for the 2017 class. Brooke Cantillo (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) and Grace Dabbs (Philadelphia, Miss.) join the Maroon and White after decorated careers for their respective high schools and travel squads. Cantillo is a three-time All-League First Team honoree who starred on the diamond for Foothill HS, as well as the CA Cruisers and CA Explosion. An MAIS All-State star, Dabbs was instrumental in Leake Academy capturing four-straight district titles and the 2016 MAIS AAA North Half State Championship.
SS/UT Macey Petrey (Marengo, Ala.) rounds out the 2017 signing class for the Bulldogs, coming to Starkville via Demopolis, Ala. A star in the infield for Marengo Academy and the Birmingham Thunderbolts Greenwood, Petrey most recently earned ASWA All-State honors, adding to a long list of accolades.
Each signee will be featured on HailState.com each Tuesday over the next nine weeks, starting Nov. 15.
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
"I'd like to commend Coach [Samantha] Ricketts and [Tyler] Bratton for their efforts in solidifying such a strong signing class," Stuedeman said. "I'd also like to thank each family for choosing Mississippi State. Every member of this signing class exemplifies the Mississippi State softball core values: Selfless, Excellent and Competitive. I am proud to have them joining the Bulldog nation and honored to have the opportunity to coach these young ladies."
A total of nine players make up the Bulldogs' 2017 class, which was ranked fourth in the nation by Flo Softball. Of those nine, five incoming Bulldogs were ranked in Flo Softball's Top 150, with three inside the Top 35.
Leading the way for State's signing class is fourth-ranked Mia Davidson (Hillsborough, N.C.), a talented All-American C/3B that joins MSU after a standout career at Orange High School. Davidson, who played travel ball with AL Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier and NC Lady Lightning Gold, brings a number of accolades to the Maroon and White, including being named the 2016 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year.
Joining Davidson in the infield will be 1B O'Neil Roberson (Birmingham, Ala.) and SS Kinsey Goelz (Myakka City, Fla.), who are ranked 33rd and 34th in the nation, respectively. Roberson is an All-State standout that holds the single-season home run record for Oak Mountain HS. Goelz starred for Lakewood Ranch HS, earning numerous All-State and All-Area honors. Both Roberson and Goelz played travel ball for AL Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier, while Goelz also was a standout for the FL Tampa Mustangs.
Rounding out State's ranked recruits are No. 60 Alex Wilcox (Brantley, Ala.) and No. 143 Carter Spexarth (The Woodlands, Texas). Wilcox, who doubles as a pitcher and outfielder, comes to MSU after leading Brantley HS to state championships the last three seasons. She also starred on the travel ball scene for AL Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier. Spexarth has been one of the top players in Texas, playing for Tomball HS and TX Peppers Gold in travel ball.
Adding to the Bulldogs' depth in the circle will be Emily Williams (Carrollton, Ga.). An All-County standout for Central Carrollton HS, Williams was also a member of the AL Birmingham Thunderbolts Greenwood travel squad. Williams helped lead CCHS to the 2016 Georgia AAAA State Championship with a 4-0 record, throwing three no-hitters and a one-hitter en route to the title. Of the 84 outs Williams recorded in the tournament, 74 of them came via strikeout.
The Bulldogs went to the West Coast and in their own backyard to add more depth to their outfield for the 2017 class. Brooke Cantillo (Lake Elsinore, Calif.) and Grace Dabbs (Philadelphia, Miss.) join the Maroon and White after decorated careers for their respective high schools and travel squads. Cantillo is a three-time All-League First Team honoree who starred on the diamond for Foothill HS, as well as the CA Cruisers and CA Explosion. An MAIS All-State star, Dabbs was instrumental in Leake Academy capturing four-straight district titles and the 2016 MAIS AAA North Half State Championship.
SS/UT Macey Petrey (Marengo, Ala.) rounds out the 2017 signing class for the Bulldogs, coming to Starkville via Demopolis, Ala. A star in the infield for Marengo Academy and the Birmingham Thunderbolts Greenwood, Petrey most recently earned ASWA All-State honors, adding to a long list of accolades.
Each signee will be featured on HailState.com each Tuesday over the next nine weeks, starting Nov. 15.
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
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