
Florida Softball Inks Five in Class of 2012
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 | Softball
University of Florida head softball coach Tim Walton announced the signing of five future Gators to National Letters of Intent Wednesday on the first day of the fall signing period, including three Floridians in Taylore Fuller, Kirsti Merritt, and Taylor Schwarz, who will collaborate with Californian Aubree Munro and Kansan Kelsey Stewart to compose this year's Gator signing class. The five student-athletes will suit up for the Orange and Blue for the 2012-13 softball season.
“We're really excited about this year's signing class and what these student-athletes will contribute to the future of the Florida softball program,” Walton said. “These five young ladies bring a tremendous amount of athleticism and multi-dimensional talent with their game. Adding five in the class of 2012 will help bring balance to our classes and will provide more depth at every position than we have ever had. I am excited about adding this extremely gifted and versatile class to an already talented group of student-athletes.”
TAYLORE FULLER
Trenton, Fla.
Chiefland High School
R/R, Catcher
Travel Team: Wichita (KS) Mustangs
A 2012 graduate of Chiefland High School… Named to the 2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA High School All-America First Team as a catcher… Also a NFCA High School All-America Scholar-Athlete… Named to the 2011 Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State Team and a 2011 Max Preps small school All-America Team catcher… The 2010 and 2011 Gainesville Sun small school softball Player of the Year… Her junior season picked off seven base runners at the catcher position and smashed 15 homers – ranking third in the state of Florida and ninth in the nation...Was intentionally walked 35 times in 2011, owned a 1.750 slugging percentage, a .673 batting clip, 33 stolen bases and 52 runs scored...The 2010 and 2011 Gainesville Sun small school All-Area First-Team catcher… Also a 2010 and 2011 Miracle Sports High School Class 2A All-Florida First-Team catcher… Will graduate in 2012 in the top 10 percent of her senior class… Plays travel ball with the Wichita Mustangs, coached by Mark Griggs.
KIRSTI MERRITT
Lake Panasoffkee, Fla.
South Sumter High School
R/R, Utility
Travel Team: Gold Coast Hurricanes
A 2012 graduate of South Sumter High School… A 2011 TCS Rising Stars All-American...Currently plays travel ball with the Gold Coast Hurricanes, coached by Marty Cooper… Competed with the Wichita Mustangs, coached by Mark Griggs, at the 2011 Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals in Huntington Beach, Calif.… Played travel ball with the Gainesville Gold from 2007-10, helping lead the team to the 2008 ASA State A Championship… In addition to varsity letters in softball in 2009 and 2011, earned varsity letters in volleyball (2008) and basketball (2008, 2009, 2010), leading the South Sumter Raiders to the Florida 4A Regional Semifinal… Also a letter winner in weight lifting (2008, 2009) and track (2009, 2011), placing ninth in the Florida 2A State Championship in the shot put in 2009 and 14th in the discus in 2011… A member of the Academic Honor Roll in 2008, 2009 and 2010… A 2011 and 2012 member of the National Honor Society and also involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
AUBREE MUNRO
Brea, Calif.
Brea Olinda High School
R/R, Catcher
Travel Team: Southern California Athletics
A 2012 graduate of Brea Olinda High School… Plays travel ball with SoCal Athletics, coached by Bruce Richardson… Helped lead the A's to the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championship Titles in 2010 and 2011… An Academic Scholar-Athlete in 2009, 2010 and 2011… A First-Team All-Century League and First-Team All-CIF selection in 2011… Named Second-Team All-Century League in 2009 and 2010 and Second-Team All-County in 2010… The Lion's Club Student of the Month and Girl's League Girl of the Month in September 2011… Earned the Golden Glove Award in 2009 and 2011 and the Most Valuable Offense Award in 2010.
TAYLOR SCHWARZ
Palm Beach, Fla.
Palm Beach Gardens High School
R/L, Utility
Travel Team: Palm Beach Lady Gators Gold
A 2012 graduate of Palm Beach Gardens High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.… District and Regional Champions in 2009, 2010, 2011… Back-to-back Florida 6A State champions in 2010 and 2011… Hit the go-ahead homer, breaking a 3-3 tie, for Palm Beach Gardens to lead the Gators to the 2011 State Title, earning Player of the Game honors… Named to Class 6A All-Area First Team in 2009, 2010 and 2011… Named a 6A First –Team All-State and All-Conference selection in 2011… Received the Gator Award in 2011... Athlete of the Week in 2010 ... Plays travel ball with The Lady Gators Gold, coached by Sam Testa and Jim Stump… Also played volleyball in high school… Will graduate in top 10 percent of class.
KELSEY STEWART
Wichita, Kan.
Maize High School
L/R, Utility
Travel Team: Wichita (KS) Mustangs
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A 2012 graduate of Maize High School… Named a 2011 TCS All-American… The 2010 Kansas Softball Gatorade Player of the Year after batting .556 with four doubles, nine triples and two homers… Invited to the 2010 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team Selection Camp… Also an Under Armour All-American in 2010… A three-time First-Team All-League and All-State softball election her freshman through junior seasons...A basketball letter winner her freshman and sophomore years… Earned volleyball letters and All-League honors her freshman and junior years in high school… A 2011 UCA All-American cheerleader… A Student Council member… Plays travel ball with the Wichita Mustangs, coached by Mark Griggs.