Photo by: Jhalen Wingate
Bears Ink Five to 2021 Softball Recruiting Class
11/13/2020 4:04:00 PM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – Mercer Softball Head Coach Stephanie DeFeo has announced the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Friday.
The Bears will welcome Hannah Pitts, Tori Hedgecock, Kendall Owens, Shea Zweifel and Morgan Hall to Mercer for the start of the 2021-22 academic year.
"We are extremely excited to announce our 2021 class," said DeFeo. "These players will make an immediate impact on our program. I feel that we have signed one of the best pitchers in the country, and she is surrounded by athletes that not only play incredible defense but will provide our offense with unbelievable power. We are so thrilled to welcome them to our Mercer Softball Family."
Hannah Pitts
Auburn, Ala.
Auburn HS
Pitcher
5-8
Honors and Accolades
Why Pitts Chose Mercer
"I was drawn to Mercer because of the academic appeal. I've always made my education a priority, and I felt like Mercer gave me the best opportunity to further my education and also have the honor to play softball for such a prestigious school."
Tori Hedgecock
Lake Park, Ga.
Lowndes HS
Infield
5-6
Honors and Accolades
Why Hedgecock Chose Mercer
"Choosing a collegiate home can be very difficult because there are so many choices around the U.S. When considering my future for the next 4+ years, I knew I had to think not only about the chance to play collegiate softball, but also which school would pish me academically and help me pursue a great degree in medicine. I am a small-town girl worried that a massive campus might overwhelm me. Upon my first visit to Mercer, I fell in love with its Southern, small-town feel; just like home. After considering all of my options, I knew Mercer was where I wanted to call home."
Kendall Owens
Ashburn, Va.
Loudoun Valley HS
Infield
5-8
Honors and Accolades
Why Owens Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because I knew it was somewhere that wanted me just as much as I wanted them. I love the atmosphere and the high level of academics that Mercer has to offer as well."
Shea Zweifel
Ormand Beach, Fla.
Seabreeze HS | USC Salkehatchie
Catcher/Outfield
5-6
Honors and Accolades
Why Zweifel Chose Mercer
"The atmosphere around Mercer felt like home as soon as I stepped on campus. The coaching staff made it feel like one big family."
Morgan Hall
Lawrenceville, Ga.
Brookwood HS
Catcher/Outfield
5-5
Honors and Accolades
Why Hall Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because I enjoy the campus and the coaching staff. I also know I can get a good education here."
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Softball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerUSoftball (Twitter), /MUSoftball (Facebook) and @MercerUSoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
The Bears will welcome Hannah Pitts, Tori Hedgecock, Kendall Owens, Shea Zweifel and Morgan Hall to Mercer for the start of the 2021-22 academic year.
"We are extremely excited to announce our 2021 class," said DeFeo. "These players will make an immediate impact on our program. I feel that we have signed one of the best pitchers in the country, and she is surrounded by athletes that not only play incredible defense but will provide our offense with unbelievable power. We are so thrilled to welcome them to our Mercer Softball Family."
Hannah Pitts
Auburn, Ala.
Auburn HS
Pitcher
5-8
There' another 🆂🆃🆄🅳 entering the circle for the Bears next season!
— Mercer Softball (@MercerUSoftball) November 13, 2020
Welcome to the 🐻🥎 family, Hannah! #ETB | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/tKuqgoxBqw
Honors and Accolades
- Lettered four years at Auburn High School for coach Matthew Hendricks.
- Ranked the 120th-best player and 14th-best pitcher in the 2021 recruiting class by Extra Inning Softball.
- Named the 2017 Rookie of the Year for her team after earning Alabama 7A All-State honorable mention accolades.
- Led her team to regional championships as a freshman and sophomore, while adding a 2018 area championship.
- Was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year and Alabama 7A All-State Team member in 2018.
- Guided Auburn HS to a pair of top-10 finishes in the state tournament, including a third-place showing in 2019.
- Was selected to the North-South All Star game and earned MVP in the Jacksonville State Round Robin Tournament as a junior.
- Composed a career record of 29-18 as a Tiger with a 2.26 ERA and 354 strikeouts in 300 innings of work.
- Won three consecutive state travel ball championships with the Birmingham Vipers (Ala.), Germantown Red-Devils (Ala.) and Gold Coast Hurricanes (Fla.).
- Spent 2020 with the Gold Coast Hurricanes who won the USA Elite-Select National Championship and USA Elite-Select World Fast Pitch Championship.
- Was named the 2020 World Fast Pitch Tournament MVP.
- 2020 GC Hurricanes also earned runner-up honors at the J.O. Cup and fourth place at the Triple Crown Nationals.
- Earned a spot on the Extra Inning Softball All-Summer Team in 2020.
- Member of National Technical Honors Society and National Honor Society.
Why Pitts Chose Mercer
"I was drawn to Mercer because of the academic appeal. I've always made my education a priority, and I felt like Mercer gave me the best opportunity to further my education and also have the honor to play softball for such a prestigious school."
Tori Hedgecock
Lake Park, Ga.
Lowndes HS
Infield
5-6
𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐁𝐀𝐓 from the 2⃣2⃣9⃣ will rock the 🧡&🖤 next season!
— Mercer Softball (@MercerUSoftball) November 13, 2020
Welcome to the 🐻🥎 family, @torihedgecock! #ETB | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/umZpTQxAL2
Honors and Accolades
- Lettered four years at Lowndes High School for head coach Stewart Thomas.
- Made the All-Region First Team all four years.
- Garnered First Team All-State selections as a junior and senior.
- Named the Regional Player of the Year as a junior after breaking her school's single-season home run record with 15.
- Hit over .375 at the plate all four seasons and totaled 33 home runs, 150 RBI and 12 stolen bases for the Vikings.
- Played travel ball for the Gainesville Gold McFayden.
- Received high honors all four years and currently ranks in the top-10 percent of her class academically.
Why Hedgecock Chose Mercer
"Choosing a collegiate home can be very difficult because there are so many choices around the U.S. When considering my future for the next 4+ years, I knew I had to think not only about the chance to play collegiate softball, but also which school would pish me academically and help me pursue a great degree in medicine. I am a small-town girl worried that a massive campus might overwhelm me. Upon my first visit to Mercer, I fell in love with its Southern, small-town feel; just like home. After considering all of my options, I knew Mercer was where I wanted to call home."
Kendall Owens
Ashburn, Va.
Loudoun Valley HS
Infield
5-8
VA ➡️ GA!
— Mercer Softball (@MercerUSoftball) November 12, 2020
Welcome to the 🐻🥎 family, @21kendallowens!#ETB | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/6JIJ5Gomwp
Honors and Accolades
- Lettered four years at Loudoun Valley High School for head coach Carly Schmidt.
- Was a two-sport athlete for the Vikings, also playing basketball for two years.
- Named the Team MVP as a sophomore.
- Garnered First Team All-Conference and All-Region honors as an outfielder in 2018 after leading Loudoun Valley to the state quarterfinals.
- Collected Second Team All-Conference accolades as a pitcher in 2019.
- Hit .385 with five home runs, 55 RBI and 13 stolen bases for the Star National-Belfield 18u travel team over the summer of 2020.
- Boasted the highest batting on the team this past summer.
Why Owens Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because I knew it was somewhere that wanted me just as much as I wanted them. I love the atmosphere and the high level of academics that Mercer has to offer as well."
Shea Zweifel
Ormand Beach, Fla.
Seabreeze HS | USC Salkehatchie
Catcher/Outfield
5-6
ℚ𝕌𝔸𝕃𝕀𝕋𝕐 addition to the squad!
— Mercer Softball (@MercerUSoftball) November 12, 2020
Welcome to the 🐻🥎 family, @shea_zwiff!#ETB | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/ezUhL26z6b
Honors and Accolades
- Lettered all four years at Seabreeze High School for coaches Alan Hand, Meghan Bainbridge and Shanah Thomas.
- Was a two-sport athlete for the Sandcrabs, also playing football.
- Earned Tournament MVP honors at Seabreeze HS.
- Won five state championship titles in 10 years of travel ball with the Lady Renegades.
- Started her collegiate career for current Mercer assistant coach Kenneth Bellamy at USC Salkehatchie.
- Played in 14 games as a freshman in 2020, hitting .439 (18-for-41) with six doubles and two home runs.
- Scored 15 runs and drove in nine with two stolen bases for the Indians.
- Ranked third on the team at Salkehatchie with 30 total bases.
Why Zweifel Chose Mercer
"The atmosphere around Mercer felt like home as soon as I stepped on campus. The coaching staff made it feel like one big family."
Morgan Hall
Lawrenceville, Ga.
Brookwood HS
Catcher/Outfield
5-5
This next signing has us feeling 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐲! 🍑🧡
— Mercer Softball (@MercerUSoftball) November 12, 2020
Welcome to the 🐻🥎 family, Morgan!#ETB | #RoarTogether pic.twitter.com/fY2cBgxL4R
Honors and Accolades
- Lettered four years at Brookwood High School for head coach Jennifer Maloney.
- Named to the All-Region First Team all four years.
- Led the Broncos to a pair of regional championships in 2017 and 2018.
- Guided Brookwood to three Sweet 16 appearances, including a trip to the Elite 8 in 2018.
- Hit .360 in her career with 11 home runs, 107 RBI and six stolen bases.
- Played travel ball for the GA Impact Ryman.
Why Hall Chose Mercer
"I chose Mercer because I enjoy the campus and the coaching staff. I also know I can get a good education here."
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Softball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerUSoftball (Twitter), /MUSoftball (Facebook) and @MercerUSoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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