Softball Recruiting Class Ranked No. 3 by ESPN RISE
1/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 29, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Head coach Patrick Murphy and the Alabama coaching staff were rewarded for their recruiting efforts as its latest signing class was ranked No. 3 in the country by ESPN RISE. The class that signed back in November and will start play in the 2011 season is comprised of four student-athletes.
"It's exciting news for this foursome," Coach Murphy said. "It's an honor for them and if they stick together and do what they need to do, they will be a very successful class four years from now."
Ryan Iamurri, who will remind many Alabama fans of All-American Kelley Montalvo - standing at just five feet tall - has been a three-year starter for Naples High School and has already etched her name in the record books. The utility player that has found time in both the infield and outfield is coming off a season where she was named the Florida 4A Offensive Player of the Year, an ESPN Rise Second-Team All-American, and a NFCA Louisville Slugger All-American.
She also participated in the Under Armour All-American game and was an Academic All-American on top of earning All-State honors for the second consecutive year. She broke NHS records in batting average (.563), on base percentage (.703), walks (24) and runs scored (43). Iamurri has led NHS to a 4A state championship in 2008.
Jackie Traina will come to the Capstone from Naples High School where she plays with current and future teammate, Alabama signee Ryan Iamurri. Traina has earned numerous accolades for her prowess inside the circle. She has been named the Naples Daily News Player of the Year the last three seasons. In 2008, Traina was named the Gatorade Player of the Year. During that 2008 season Traina led NHS to a Florida 4A State title.
She has been named an All-American twice and All-State in three straight seasons. In 2009 Traina had a 19-2 record. She gave up eight runs, three earned in 119.3 innings for a 0.18 ERA and averaged 11.94 strikeouts per seven innings. She was also as dominant at the plate, hitting .418 with four homeruns, 41 RBI and scored 29 runs.
Kaila Hunt, from Greenbrier High School, brings numerous accolades to the Capstone after her four seasons at GHS, playing for coach Garrett Black. She has been named to the All-County and All-State teams for three straight seasons and led her squad to back-to-back Elite 8 appearances at the state playoffs.
Her first two seasons on the diamond Hunt was named the Defensive Player of the Year and was selected as one of the adidas top-100 athletes as a sophomore. As a junior she garnered offensive and defensive player of the year honors and was selected by the Greater Augusta Sports Council as the Central Savannah River Area All-Around Female Athlete.
In her senior campaign Hunt batted .485 with four home runs and 37 RBI. She finished her career with 24 career home runs. On top of her prowess on the softball field Hunt also lettered four times in basketball.
Hunt plays for the Atlanta Vipers travel squad. She led the Vipers to a 2007 ASA State Championship and two appearances at the ASA Gold Nationals where she led her team to a ninth and 16th place finish, respectively.
Jordan Patterson, the daughter of Alabama NCAA gymnastics champion coaching tandem Sarah and David Patterson, brings a big bat and a solid glove behind the plate and in the infield from the American Christian Academy. She was a 2009 selection to The Tuscaloosa News' Softball's Best team, batting .394 with an on-base percentage of .503 her junior season. As a catcher, she threw out 26 of 31 runners attempting to steal.
Patterson was named to the 2009 All-Star game and earned 2008 and 2009 Defensive Player of the Year honors. She also led ACA in home runs. Patterson plays for Kerri Foster on the Alabama Crusaders and helped her team to a Gold Nationals appearance and a 17th place finish.
