Grace Fagan, one of the nation's top players in the 2018 class, signed with the Bulldogs last week.
Nationally-Ranked Fagan Leads Off 2018 Bulldog Softball Signing Class
November 14, 2017 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. - One of the top recruits in the nation will be joining Mississippi State softball next season as Vann Stuedeman announced the signing of standout pitcher Grace Fagan.
"Grace [Fagan] will make an immediate impact in the circle," Stuedeman said. "She is a strong lefty with a huge presence and an even bigger work ethic. She is compelled to be the best she can be and that mentality is
going to take her and our team to big places."
In the midst of her senior season as a team captain at Kingsway Regional High School, the Swedesboro, N.J., native comes to Starkville as the 2017 South Jersey Pitcher of the Year. Fagan was ranked as high as eight by Flo Softball and signs as the 19th-ranked player of the 2018 class.
"I chose Mississippi State because of the atmosphere that I experienced while I was on my first visit," Fagan said. "It was a great experience to see the amount of pride that the people around Starkville take in Mississippi State. Everyone I met made me feel extremely welcomed like I belonged in Starkville. The facilities are amazing and the coaching staff is awesome!"
Fagan is coming off an impressive junior season as she led the Dragons to a 24-5 record and the Tri-County Conference-Royal Division Championship. Fagan and the Dragons reached the quarterfinals of the stacked South Jersey Group 4 state tournament.
The hard-throwing lefty struck out 316 in 166 innings of work, posted a 1.14 ERA and held opponents to just a .140 average over her first season as a full-time varsity starter en route to South Jersey Pitcher of the Year honors. Fagan was a staple in the third spot of the batting order and held a .415 average at the plate with help of 44 hits. Her efforts also earned Fagan First Team All-Conference and All-State laurels, and the left-hander was a nominee for New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year.
As a freshman, Fagan served as the No. 2 pitcher for KRHS as the Dragons finished 21-5. Fagan held a 9-1 record in the circle and struck out 74 in her debut season.
Fagan did not play her sophomore season with Kingsway Regional as she was extensively traveling as a member of Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier along with fellow future Bulldog Kayla Boseman. The Thunderbolts is one of the premier travel teams over the last several years, and Fagan's time was highlighted by carrying the team to a third-place finish at the 2016 PGF National Championship.
Academically, Fagan is part of the National Honor Society and World Language National Honors Society. Fagan also volunteers with Miracle League, helping special-needs children play baseball and softball.
Fagan comes from a highly athletic family. Her parents Tracy and Sean were both four-year letterwinners in basketball at Mt. Saint Mary's College, while her mother was inducted into the Mt. Saint Mary's Hall of Fame. Her brothers Jordan and Bradley both played basketball at Cabrini College.
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."
"Grace [Fagan] will make an immediate impact in the circle," Stuedeman said. "She is a strong lefty with a huge presence and an even bigger work ethic. She is compelled to be the best she can be and that mentality is
going to take her and our team to big places."In the midst of her senior season as a team captain at Kingsway Regional High School, the Swedesboro, N.J., native comes to Starkville as the 2017 South Jersey Pitcher of the Year. Fagan was ranked as high as eight by Flo Softball and signs as the 19th-ranked player of the 2018 class.
"I chose Mississippi State because of the atmosphere that I experienced while I was on my first visit," Fagan said. "It was a great experience to see the amount of pride that the people around Starkville take in Mississippi State. Everyone I met made me feel extremely welcomed like I belonged in Starkville. The facilities are amazing and the coaching staff is awesome!"
Fagan is coming off an impressive junior season as she led the Dragons to a 24-5 record and the Tri-County Conference-Royal Division Championship. Fagan and the Dragons reached the quarterfinals of the stacked South Jersey Group 4 state tournament.
The hard-throwing lefty struck out 316 in 166 innings of work, posted a 1.14 ERA and held opponents to just a .140 average over her first season as a full-time varsity starter en route to South Jersey Pitcher of the Year honors. Fagan was a staple in the third spot of the batting order and held a .415 average at the plate with help of 44 hits. Her efforts also earned Fagan First Team All-Conference and All-State laurels, and the left-hander was a nominee for New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year.
As a freshman, Fagan served as the No. 2 pitcher for KRHS as the Dragons finished 21-5. Fagan held a 9-1 record in the circle and struck out 74 in her debut season.
Fagan did not play her sophomore season with Kingsway Regional as she was extensively traveling as a member of Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier along with fellow future Bulldog Kayla Boseman. The Thunderbolts is one of the premier travel teams over the last several years, and Fagan's time was highlighted by carrying the team to a third-place finish at the 2016 PGF National Championship.
Academically, Fagan is part of the National Honor Society and World Language National Honors Society. Fagan also volunteers with Miracle League, helping special-needs children play baseball and softball.
Fagan comes from a highly athletic family. Her parents Tracy and Sean were both four-year letterwinners in basketball at Mt. Saint Mary's College, while her mother was inducted into the Mt. Saint Mary's Hall of Fame. Her brothers Jordan and Bradley both played basketball at Cabrini College.
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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