VIDEO: Michael Graves Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head softball coach Michael Graves has announced the signings of 10 student athletes for the 2020 season.

"We brought in a rather large class," Graves said. "We addressed issues with depth.  I really believe we are two deep at every position, which will help us in the long run."

Peyton Day – 5-6 – R/R – INF – Oak Ridge, N.C. – Wesleyan Christian Academy - @peytonndayy

Day makes her way to Mossy Creek after a stellar career at Wesleyan Christian Academy.  A four-time all-conference and an all-state selection, Day chose Carson-Newman over Liberty University.  She hit better than .383 for every year of her high school career and slugged .881 during her all-state sophomore campaign.  She hit 11 home runs in her first three years of her high school career.  As a freshman, she helped the Trojans to a 3A North Carolina state championship. 

The daughter of David and Julie Day.  She plans to study communications at Carson-Newman.  She was an A/B honor roll member in high school and a member of the Beta Club.

Haley Schultz – 5-9 – R/R – 1B – Powell, Tenn. – Powell High School - @haley_schultz41

As a junior with the Powell Panthers, Schultz hit north of .400 with double digit home runs for coach Jeff Inman.  She was an all-district, all-district tournament and all-Prep Xtra selection.  She helped the Panthers to a region title and a state-runner up bid as a sophomore before helping Powell to a state title as a junior. 

The daughter of Kellie and Mike Schultz, she plans to study education at Carson-Newman. She graduated from Powell with a 4.0 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society. 

Mary Vandergriff – 5-7 – R/R – INF  – Soddy Daisy, Tenn. – Chattanooga, Christian School - @mevandy7

A three-time all-district selection for former Carson-Newman Eagle Lisa Rogers Gray at Chattanooga Christian School, Vandergriff hit .434 with four home runs, 24 RBI and 44 runs scored for the Chargers as a junior.  She helped the Chargers to a state tournament berth and a fourth place finish at the AA state tournament as a junior. 

The daughter of Roger and Elizabeth Vandergriff.  Her father wrestled at Middle Tennessee State.   

Morgan Hamm – 5-9 – R/R - P – Lebanon, Va. – Lebanon High School - @morganhamm131

A decorated pitcher for coach Dennis Price at Lebanon High School, Hamm carried a 1.03 ERA in the circle as a junior while hitting .544 at the plate with a .734 slugging percentage.  She is a two-time all-state pitcher and the Southwest District and Region D Pitcher of the Year as a junior. She earned CMC Pitcher of the Year honors as a sophomore.  As a freshman, she helped Lebanon to a 2A Virginia state title. 

The daughter of Michael and Anissa Hamm, she plans to study biology at Carson-Newman.  She graduated high school with a 4.0 and chose Carson-Newman over Mississippi Valley State, Norfolk State and Furman.  Her father played football for Morehead State.

Julianna Savone 5-1 – R/R – UTIL – Palm Coast, Fla. – Flagler Palm Coast High School – @jsavone

Savone hit .323 for her career for coach Meghan Bainbridge at Flagler Palm Coast.  Her career on-base percentage sits at .536. She was her team's Green Glove award winner and team MVP.  In addition to softball, Savone was a competitive weightlifter for the Bulldogs.  She helped FPCHS to a fourth place finish at the state championship while she finished in fourth at districts. 

The daughter of Margaret and Thomas Savone, she plans to study exercise science at Carson-Newman.  She earned her school's Scholar Athlete Award and was a member of the A honor roll. Her father played collegiate golf at SUNY Oneonta.  She was also recruited by Louisville, Appalachian State and Charleston Southern. 

Madelyn Gillett – 5-8 – R/R - UTIL – Howell, Mich. – Howell High School

Gillett helped Howell High School to back-to-back district and conference championships while earning a region title and a fourth place finish in the Michigan state tournament as a junior.  She holds the Howell High School records for doubles and RBI in a single season with 22 and 65, respectively, set her sophomore year.  She hit .511 that season.  A three-sport athlete, she also played volleyball and basketball.

The daughter of Douglas and Edy Gillett.  She was a Scholar Athlete and honor roll member at Howell High School. 

Shannon Smith - 5-10 – R/R - C – Channahon, Ill. – Providence Catholic High School - @shannonlsmith1

Smith hit .380 as a junior for coach Jay Biesterfield at Providence Catholic.  She was named all-conference and all-area as a junior. A two-sport athlete, she also played volleyball, earning all-conference honors as a senior for the Celtics.

The daughter of Caroline and Shane Smith, both her parents played collegiate athletics.  Her mother played volleyball, while her father played baseball.  She earned second honors from Providence Catholic her first two years of high school. 

Maggie Smith - 5-7 – R/R - UTIL – Lenoir, N.C. – Hibriten High School

Smith was a four-year all-county and all-conference player for Jim Blanton at Hilbriten High School.  She tallied a .360 batting average with 11 home runs as a senior. She posted an eye-popping 66 RBI in just 29 games.  She was voted team MVP as a junior and best defensive player as a senior.

The daughter of Jeff Smith, she plans to study biology at Carson-Newman.  She was a member of the A/B honor roll at Hibriten. 

Elora Collins – 5-9 – R/R – P/1B – Reno, Nev. – Reno High School - @elorac103

Collins tallied a .421 batting average with nine home runs for coach Samantha Puzey at Reno High School.  In the circle, she carried a .62 ERA with 92 strikeouts.  She was a two-time all-region selection.  She helped Reno to the state playoff every year of her high school career.

The daughter of Don Collins, she plans to study biology at Carson-Newman. 

Rachel Kay – 5-6 – R/R – UTIL – Chattanooga, Tenn. – Chattanooga Christian School - @rlkay22

Kay played for former Eagle Lisa Rogers Gray at Chattanooga Christian School where she hit .461 with nine doubles, five home runs and 44 RBI for the Chargers.  She helped the Chargers to a state tournament berth and a fourth place finish at the AA state tournament as a junior.  A two-sport athlete, she also played volleyball, where she racked up more than 1,500 assists. She was a three-time all-district choice in softball and a two-time selection in volleyball.

The daughter of James and Terri Kay, she plans to study exercise science on the banks of Mossy Creek.