STATESBORO - Georgia Southern Head Women's Softball Coach Sharon Perkins introduced her early signing class of new Eagles who will join the program for the Fall of 2022.
Coach Perkins' four new signees are: pitcher Alana Barnard (Statesboro, Ga. / Southeast Bulloch HS); outfielder Emma Davis (Grayson, Ga. / Grayson HS); pitcher Bailey Holland (Vidalia, Ga. / Vidalia HS) and catcher/utility player Baileigh Pitts (Ringgold, Ga. / Ringgold HS). These are the first signees for Coach Perkins at Georgia Southern since becoming the program's new head coach in May.
Read all about the four new Eagles below!
Alana Barnard
5-10 • RHP • R/R
Statesboro, Ga. / Southeast Bulloch HS
Played at Southeast Bulloch HS for four seasons ... Two-time Region Player of the Year and two-time All-State honoree for the Yellowjackets ... Hit .534 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI as a senior, while also notching 247 strikeouts in the circle and recording an 0.89 ERA ... Plays travel ball for Georgia Power.
Coach Perkins: "Alana is not your typical pitcher, she's an all around competitor. Not only does she have good speed and locates her pitches well, but she fields her position well and I've even seen her make some amazing diving catches outside the circle. She also has proven to have power at the plate. She was key in leading Southeast Bulloch HS to the Georgia High School State Tournament."
Emma Davis
5-3 • OF • L/L
Grayson, Ga. / Grayson HS
Played for Grayson HS for four seasons ... Region 4 Player of the Year as a senior for the Rams ... Hit .467 with 47 runs scored, 27 RBI and 35 stolen bases in the Fall of 2021 ... Two-time All-Region and two-time honorable mention All-State honoree ... Has stolen 106 bases in her high school career ... Played travel ball for AP Gold Locke and AP Gold Barfield.
Coach Perkins: "Emma is a true lefty that adds some much needed speed to our team. She is a consistent hitter that can lay down a drag bunt and hit for power. She will be a great asset in the outfield as she covers a ton of ground. Emma is an aggressive player that plays hard each pitch."
Bailey Holland
5-9 • RHP • L/R
Vidalia, Ga. / Vidalia HS
Played for Vidalia HS for two seasons after playing for Robert Toombs Christian Academy for two seasons ... Two-time GISA All-State honoree at Robert Toombs ... Region Player and Pitcher of the Year for Vidalia HS ... Went 15-3 with an 0.46 ERA and 147 strikeouts as a senior for the Indians ... Also hit .333 with 25 RBI ... Struck out 721 batters in her high school career ... Plays travel ball for AP Gold.
Coach Perkins: "Bailey is a pitcher that offsets the rest of our pitching staff. She has the ability to change speeds as well as break pitches. She also hits for both her high school team and travel team. Bailey led Vidalia HS to a runner-up finish in the Georgia High School State Tournament this Fall."
Baileigh Pitts
5-6 • C/UTIL • R/R
Ringgold, Ga. / Ringgold HS
Played for four seasons at Ringgold HS ... Two-time first-team All-State honoree for the Tigers ... Also named to the Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps team twice ... Four-time All-Region honoree ... Hit .505 with 10 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 32 RBI in 30 games as a senior ... Plays travel ball for Fury Platinum X.
Coach Perkins: "Baileigh is a true utility. As a catcher, she is a great receiver and has a strong arm. She also plays a great third base and could play outfield or anywhere needed. Baileigh is a great athlete that brings a solid bat along with smart baserunning and some speed to our team."
