Dec. 10, 2012
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 Nickie Blue on her signing day |
Nickie Blue
P/1B – R/R – 6-1
Longmont, Col.
Niwot High School/Triple Crown Stars
Things Nickie likes to do in her spare time: hang out with friends, watch movies
Favorite food: mashed potatoes
Favorite actor: Paul Rudd
Favorite athletes: Bernie Williams, Curtis Granderson
Biggest influence in softball: her travel ball coach Stephanie Klaviter, giving her the confidence and taught her how to embrace her height and use it to her advantage
High School: A four-year letter-winner in softball for coach Bobby Matthews at Niwot High School…As a senior, posted a 0.47 ERA and a 21-2 record, striking out 287 batters while walking only 12 in 149 innings…Also hit .520 with five homers and 33 RBI, helping her claim a spot on the 2012 MaxPreps and Denver Post All-Colorado softball team…Also the Northern Conference Player of the Year as a senior…The Cougars finished second in Colorado 4A this fall…Earned NFCA High School Player of the Week honors on Sept. 6, 2012…As a junior, she tallied a 0.69 ERA with 164 strikeouts in 101.2 innings in the circle, while posting a .897 slugging percentage with 23 RBI at the plate…Fanned 207 batters during her sophomore year to go with a 1.13 ERA…Also earned a letter in track, finishing eighth in the 4A discus…Plays travel ball with the Triple Crown Stars led by Stephanie Klaviter and Dave King.
Why she chose South Carolina: “I chose South Carolina because of the history of the school itself. It really interested me to be able to be a part of something so much bigger than just a school or a team. Also the coaches were a huge part of my recruitment because of their welcoming nature and their attitudes toward where the program was going. They made me want to be a part of this journey the softball program is embarking.”
|
 Victoria Williams on her signing day |
Victoria Williams
C/1B/3B – L/R – 5-6
Williamston, S.C.
Palmetto High School/South Carolina Bandits
Things Victoria likes to do in her spare time: Hang out with friends, read, church activities
Favorite singer: Taylor Swift
Favorite athlete: Tim Tebow
Biggest influence in softball: Her parents because they always pushed her to be her best and never settled for less. They emphasized the importance of hard work and never giving up.
Greatest athletic thrill: Hitting a walk-off home run and winning high school state championship
High School: On track for a fifth letter in softball for coaches Frances Caulder and Valerie Hosler at Palmetto High School…A former teammate of current Gamecock Chelsea Hawkins…Earned 2A Player of the Year accolades from the High School Sports Report in 2012…Also garnered second-team MaxPreps Small Schools All-America honors…Led the Mustangs to the 2012 South Carolina 2A title, hitting .563 with 10 homers and 47 RBI…A three-time all-region and all-area player, the latter by the Anderson Independent…Hit .603 as a sophomore, posting six home runs and 35 RBI, helping the team to a second-place finish in the district…Also lettered twice in basketball, earning all-region honors as a freshman and helping Palmetto to a conference crown as a sophomore…Plays travel ball with the South Carolina Bandits and coach Ken Bailey…Off the field, a member of the student council, Beta club, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.
Why she chose South Carolina: “It’s an in-state school that has a great coaching staff and a great support system for athletes. They also had the major that interests me.”
