Mercer Signs Eight to 2020 Softball Recruiting Class

MACON, Ga. – Mercer Softball Head Coach Stephanie DeFeo has announced the signing of eight student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Thursday.

The Bears will graduate five players in the spring of 2020 before welcoming Emily Barras, Adele Braun, Caison Byars, Madilyn Joice, Amy MacNab, Atira McGowan, Anna Porter and Alyssa Woods.

"We are very excited about our 2020 signing class," commented DeFeo. "This is a very talented, athletic group. They will truly help in all areas on the field. From speed and power on offense to pitching and incredible defense, they will have a huge impact on the success of our program."

Emily Barras
Newberry, Fla.
Trenton HS
Infield
5-7

Honors and Accolades

Four-year letterwinner for head coach Todd Bryant at Trenton High School.
Two-sport athlete who also plays basketball.
Earned FACA 1A First Team All-State and FACA 1A First Team All-Academic honors in 2019.
Led the Tigers to the Florida State 1A title after hitting .429 with 21 RBI and nine stolen bases in 2019.
Finished 11th at nationals with the Wagners 3n2 travel ball team.

Why Barras Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer for many reasons. The first day I stepped foot on campus I fell in love with it. The people were very welcoming and made my experience very enjoyable. I had a quick and strong connection with my coaches and I knew they believed in me. Also, I was born in Macon, and I'm ready to come home."

Adele Braun
San Jose, Calif.
Santa Teresa HS
1B/3B
5-1

Honors and Accolades

Four-year letterwinner and two-year team captain for head coach John Ambrose at Santa Teresa High School.
Two-time All-League honoree as a freshman and junior.
Career .433 hitter with 15 home runs, 60 RBI and six stolen bases.
Hits either third or fourth for the San Jose Sting travel ball team.

Why Braun Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because the coaching staff and players are very supportive and fun to be around. Also, Mercer feels like my home away from home and it has felt that way ever since I first stepped on campus."

Caison Byars
Sharpsburg, Ga.
East Coweta HS
Outfield
5-4

Honors and Accolades

Four-year letterwinner for head coach Franklin Deloach at East Coweta High School.
Two-sport athlete who is also an all-state golfer.
Led the Indians to a pair of state championships.
Earned the Positive Athlete Award.
Boasts a career average of .330 with two home runs, 40 RBI and 22 stolen bases.
Guided the East Cobb-Bullets to a Top-20 finish at PGF Nationals in 2017 and 2018 in travel ball.

Why Byars Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because the moment I stepped onto campus it felt like home. I also chose Mercer because I know when I get out of college I will be able to get an amazing job because of the education provided to me. I also love the softball program at Mercer, that is why I chose to spend my next four years attending Mercer. I could not be happier with my decision, GO BEARS!!!"

Madilyn Joice
Tahlequah, Okla.
Sequoyah HS
RHP
5-8

Honors and Accolades

Four-year letterwinner for head coach Jeff Turtle at Sequoyah High School.
Led the Indians to four fast pitch regional championships and three in slow pitch.
Also won the Oklahoma State fast pitch title in 2018.
Member of the National Honor Society.
Plays travel ball for Tulsa Shootout 18u Gold.

Why Joice Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because as soon as I stepped on campus it felt like home. I feel like Mercer is somewhere that I can have a place."

Amy MacNab
St. Cloud, Fla.
St. Cloud HS
Utility
5-7

Honors and Accolades

Four-year letterman as a second baseman for head coach Ray Whobrey at St. Cloud High School.
Recipient of the Presidential Scholar's Award and the AP Award as a top-20 student in her class.
Named to the All-Orange Belt Conference Second Team as a freshman.
Hit .324 as a junior with 28 RBI and 46 stolen bases.
Played travel ball with the Osceola Overdrive and Florida Intensity, finishing as the runner-up at the 2019 National Championships.

Why MacNab Chose Mercer
II chose Mercer for several reasons. The school itself is absolutely beautiful and I fell in love with it the first time I stepped foot onto that campus. I also met all of the softball coaching staff and the softball team and I felt right at home. It seems like the perfect fit for me academically and athletically. I believe I will have the best four years of college and I am beyond excited."

Atira McGowan
Birmingham, Ala.
Hoover HS
Outfield
5-0

Honors and Accolades

Three-year letterwinner for head coach Lexi Shrout at Hoover High School.
Member of the Business Academy National Honors Society and National Junior Beta Club.
Hit .515 in 2019 with eight RBI and 26 stolen bases.
Played travel ball for the Tennessee Fury Qualls under the direction of coaches Hannah Qualls and Sophie Slemp.

Why McGowan Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because it felt like home and family immediately. I love the campus and coaching staff!"

Anna Potter
Largo, Fla.
Seminole HS
Infield
5-7

Honors and Accolades

Four-year letterwinner for head coach Mark Deruzzo at Seminole High School.
Three-sport for the Warhawks, also playing volleyball and basketball.
Three-time MVP for softball.
Earned First Team All-District 7, Second Team All-Region and Florida 8A All-State honorable mention in 2019.
Led the district with a .590 batting average in 2019.
Led Team Tampa to the PGF Fall state title in 2018.

Why Porter Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because the coaching staff and players are very supportive and fun to be around. Also, Mercer feels like my home away from home and it has felt that way ever since I first stepped on campus."

Alyssa Woods
Houston, Texas
Westside HS
Outfield
5-4

Honors and Accolades

Two-year letterwinner for head coach Chelsea Boles at Westside High School.
Three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and runs track.
Member of the National Honor Society.
Named team captain and team MVP in 2019.
Career .536 hitter with 31 RBI and 57 stolen bases for the Wolves.
Two-time First Team All-District honoree in 2018 and 2019.
Garnered 2017 Newcomer of the Year honors.
Captured two RBI World Series Championships with the Texas Bomber Nationals Gold-Carp and Astros RBI in 2018 and 2019.

Why Woods Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because the coaching staff and players are very supportive and fun to be around. Also, Mercer feels like my home away from home and it has felt that way ever since I first stepped on campus."

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For complete coverage of Mercer Softball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerUSoftball (Twitter), /MercerSoftball (Facebook) and @MercerUSoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.

Mercer Signs Eight to 2020 Softball Recruiting Class

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