December 8, 2009

Golden Eagle softball team nets five signees from five different states

Five players from five different states have signed national letters of intent to enroll at Tennessee Tech University and play softball for Golden Eagle coach Tory Acheson, beginning in 2010-2011.

Acheson’s additions hail from Georgia to California

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Five players from five different states have signed national letters of intent to enroll at Tennessee Tech University and play softball for Golden Eagle coach Tory Acheson (right), beginning in 2010-2011.

Currently seniors at their high schools, the five newest Golden Eagles are Kendall Hooper from Hermitage, Tenn., Megan Leff from Rowlett, Texas., Meagan Pearson from Stonewall, La., Tyler Templet from Woodstock, Ga., and Emma Woo from Santa Monica, Calif.

A versatile athlete who plays three different positions for coach Brent Dorris and the Donelson Christian Academy Wildcats, Kendall Hooper is the daughter of James and Brenda Hooper. She will major in chemistry and is currently serving as the student body president at DCA.

“Kendall is a very talented player who will make an immediate impact on our program.” Acheson said. “She swings the bat very well and we are counting on her to drive in runs for us. She is a very strong student who has worked very hard to prepare herself for the college game. We are counting on Kendall to become another key contributor.”

In addition to four letters in both volleyball and basketball, Hooper has played catcher, shortstop and pitcher at DCA. A two-time all-district selection, she hit .547 as a junior.

Megan Leff is the younger sister of current Golden Eagle Jordan Leff, and the daughter of Chris and Sherri Leff. A four-year starter at second base at Rowlett High School under coaches Diane Jones and Brooke Halle, she plans to major in business.

“Megan has played at a very high level in preparation for her college career. She, like her sister Jordan, is a very strong athlete who can do many things on the field,” Acheson said. “Megan is also an excellent student who will help continue our outstanding run of academic success. We are very excited to have Megan join her sister in our program and we are counting on big things from her over the next four years.”

After earning honorable mention all-district as a freshman, she has been all-district each of the past two seasons. Last spring she batted .405.

Meagan Pearson is an all-state catcher for coach Lori McFerren at North DeSoto High School, and has also played third base and shortstop for the Griffins. She has also earned two letters each in soccer and basketball. The daughter of Troy and Tina Parker, she will major in health and physical education.

“Meagan is a very versatile performer who can play several positions,” Acheson said. “She is a great athlete with tremendous potential. She is a very solid hitter for both average and for power. We expect her to be able to contribute right away as a freshman. Meagan works just as hard in the classroom as she does on the field and will be an impact person for our program.”

As a junior, Pearson hit .565 with five home runs, three triples and eight doubles. Heading into her final season, she already holds the school’s career home run record.

Tyler Templet is the daughter of Jeff and Kim Templet and a two-sport letterwinner at Etowah High School. A tennis player in addition to starting in centerfield for the softball team under coaches Tonya Sebring and David Childress, she plans to major in physical therapy.

“If you put a picture of what the ultimate utility player is in the dictionary you would put Tyler’s picture next to the definition.” Acheson said. “She is truly capable of playing every position on the field except catcher and to play them all well. She has tremendous speed and will be counted on to make many contributions next year. Tyler is another outstanding student who will be a great addition to our program.”

Named all-county as a freshman and all-region as a junior, she received both of those honors last fall as a senior while helping he squad capture the regional championship.

Emma Woo is the daughter of Davis Woo and Lynn Sturgis and plans to major in business at Tech, after a successful career as a catcher for coach Debbie Skaggs at Santa Monica High School.

“Emma is a very strong player who has played the game at a very high level throughout her career. Her experience will allow her to compete for a spot in the lineup right away next year,” Acheson said. “She is a very versatile player who can change the game with her glove or her bat. We are looking forward to Emma being a major contributor in the classroom and on the field.”

The 2009 Ocean League MVP while leading her team to its third straight conference crown, Woo batted .403 while posting a .623 slugging percentage and a .483 on-base percentage.