VIDEO: Michael Graves Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head softball coach Michael Graves has announced the signings of three Eagles for the 2023 season.
The Eagles add Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn., Station Camp High School), Rylee Gattis (Southside, Ala., Alexandria High School) and Abbi Martin (Gadsden, Ala., Etowah High School).
"We don't graduate a lot this year, but we do lose two stellar middle infielders," Graves said. "This class has an eye toward filling their shoes while also increasing depth in the circle and behind the plate."
Macauley Bailey – 5-9 – C – R/R – Cross Plains, Tenn. – Station Camp - @macauleybailey
HIGH SCHOOL: A four-time all-district and all-state selection for Ken Crook at Station Camp High School, Bailey has slugged 123 home runs lifetime in her career. She earned two all-state tournament honors in her high school career and took the Bison to a district title in 2021.
PERSONAL: The daughter of Clarissa and Tim Bailey. She plans to study business management at Carson-Newman. She is a member of Station Camp's A Honor Roll. She was also recruited by Tennessee Tech, Austin Peay, Lipscomb and Southern Miss.
Rylee Gattis – 5-9 – P – L/R – Southside, Ala. – Alexandria - @GattisRylee
HIGH SCHOOL: As a junior at Alexandria, Gattis tallied a 29-8 record with 324 strikeouts and a 1.257 ERA and helped the Cubs to a 5A Final Four appearance at the state tournament. At the plate, she hit .493. She was an ASWA 5A All-State first team selection as a junior as well as the ASWA All-State 5A Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year. She also garnered pitcher of the year honors for Calhoun County. In her time at Alexandria, she has taken the Cubs to a Calhoun County tournament title, a 5A Area 11 title and the 5A Regional Championship. She also played volleyball and basketball.
PERSONAL: The daughter of Paula and Steve Gattis, she plans to study nursing at Carson-Newman. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club President as well as her school's SGA President. Gattis was named Alexandria's Student of the Year in 2018. She was also recruited by Georgia State, Oklahoma Christian and Grand Canyon University.
Abbi Martin – 5-5 – INF – R/R – Gadsden, Ala. – Etowah - @abbimartin10
HIGH SCHOOL: A career .414 batter in her high school career, Martin is Etowah's all-time leader in hits and at-bats. She earned first team all-state honors in her junior year and was a three-time sportswriters first team selection for Etowah County. She made the Gadsden Messenger's first team three times. In her CoVID-shortened sophomore season, she led her team in hits, batting average, on-base percentage, triples and fielding percentage. In 2018, she reset Etowah's single-season record for stolen bases. She was a High School Heisman award winner in 2021. A basketball player and volleyball player, Martin earned all-area honors for both those sports in 2021, 2020 and 2019. She helped Etowah to a third place finish at the state tournament in 2021 as well as a 4A area championship that year.
PERSONAL: The daughter of Mark and Shannon Martin, she plans to study nursing at Carson-Newman. She carries a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the Student Government Association, Beta Club and Mu Alpha Theta.
