GS Softball Inks Five Players For 2019-20
12/3/2018 3:00:00 PM | Softball
Early signing period sees the Eagles add five from across the country to join GS Softball
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern head softball coach Kim Dean has announced the five signees that make up the early signing class for the Eagles for the upcoming 2019-20 season.
The five early signees for the Eagles are: 5-3 utility player Janai Conklin (Miami, Fla. / American Heritage HS); 5-5 righthanded pitcher Aaliyah Garcia (Angleton, Texas / Angleton HS); 5-7 catcher Linzie Lafavor (Yulee, Fla. / Yulee HS); 5-9 righthanded pitcher/utility player Kyleigh Richardson (Stafford, Va. / North Stafford HS) and 5-8 infielder Bailee Wilson (Clyo, Ga. / Effingham County HS).
"We're really excited about our 2019 early signing class," Coach Dean said. "We've added a bunch of talent, but we also think we've added a bunch of really good character kids who will get it done on the field, but more importantly, off the field and in the classroom. I'm looking forward to seeing how they'lll mix with our current talent and lineup. The future is bright for the Eagle softball program!"
Janai Conklin
5-3 • Utility
Miami, Fla.
American Heritage HS
A three-time All-County honoree by the Miami Herald, Conklin hit .345 as a junior for the Patriots in 2018, helping American Heritage HS win the 6A State Softball Championship ... She hit .353 as a sophomore with a .476 on-base percentage as well ... Also competed for the AHHS basketball and bowling teams ... Played club ball for the Gold Coast Hurricanes.
Coach Dean: "Janai is a very athletic, strong kid out of Florida. Another young lady that we're expecting to come in and push the current starters, as well as find an inning role situation. If not becoming a starter when she gets here."
Aaliyah Garcia
5-5 • Righthanded Pitcher
Angleton, Texas
Angleton HS
A two-time District Pitcher of the Year, Garcia struck out a school-record 199 batters as a junior for the Wildcats in 2018 ... A career .367 hitter at Angleton HS, Garcia was also named the Brazoria County Pitcher of the Year in 2017 and 2018 while also earning All-County Academic honors ... Also played basketball and volleyball at AHS ... Played club ball for Aces Express Gold coached by David McCorkle.
Coach Dean: "Aaliyah is a pitcher that we found out of Texas, that we're real excited to have found. I think she'll come in prepared and take up some innings. She will push our performance in the circle and help us win some games."
Linzie Lafavor
5-7 • Catcher
Yulee, Fla.
Yulee HS
A three-time All-First Coast honoree, Lafavor has hit 16 career home runs and collected 120 RBI through her junior season for the Hornets ... Also participated in weightlifting and bowling ... Played club ball for Florida Storm, the two-time Adidas 32 Elite Champions (2016 & 2017).
Coach Dean: "Lindsey is a catcher out of the Jacksonville area. She's a great kid and we're really excited to have a player of her defensive ability come in. She's going to be pushing some of our other catchers and we do expect her to help us command the pitching staff. She has an outstanding personality who loves the sport and loves being a teammate."
Kyleigh Richardson
5-9 • Righthanded Pitcher/Utility Player
Stafford, Va.
North Stafford HS
A three-time All-Conference and All-District player, Richardson is a career .425 hitter with 15 home runs and a career 1.50 ERA in the circle for the Wolverines ... Also earned first-team All-Region and All-Area honors as a junior in 2018 ... Has three no-hitters and one perfect game in her career ... Also an All-Conference girls basketball player at NSHS ... Played club ball for Virginia Unity 18U.
Coach Dean: "Kyleigh is another pitcher, out of Virginia, that we're really excited about. She can hit as well as pitch, so we're going to have to find a unique way to keep her bat in the lineup. She also plays for a very good travel team and we're fortunate to have added her to the team."
Bailee Wilson
5-8 • Infielder
Clyo, Ga.
Effingham County HS
The three-time GHSA Region 2-6A Player of the Year, Wilson hit .484 in 2018 with nine home runs and 29 RBI for the Rebels ... She also earned Savannah "Best of Preps" Softball Player of the Year honors in 2017 and 2018 and was selected to participate in the Georgia Dugout Club All-State Senior All-Star Game .... Older sister, Shelby, is a current member of the GS softball team ... Played club ball for Georgia Power.
Coach Dean: "Bailee is an outstanding athlete. She comes out of Effingham County, so we're excited to have local talent staying close to come. She absolutely killed it her senior year of high school and has done really well all four years at ECHS. We really expect great things from her."
