Kazee-Hollifield announces six-member signing class for 2018
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head softball coach Vickee Kazee-Hollifield announced the signing of six student athletes Wednesday afternoon. The players will join the Carson-Newman softball program in the spring of 2018.
VIDEO: Vickee Kazee-Hollifield Interview
The class features shortstop Leah Sohm (Knoxville, Tenn., Gibbs High School), utility player Haley Caldwell (Kenova, W.Va., Spring Valley High School), second baseman Haley Kyle (Murfreesboro, Tenn., Blackman High School), pitcher Madison Collier (Lafayette, Ga., Gordon Lee High School), pitcher Morgan Crawford (Chickamauga, Ga., Ridgeland High School) and utility player Valerie Seay (Cross Plains, Tenn., East Robertson High School).
"This is probably one of the strongest classes we've brought in collectively," Kazee-Hollifield said. "We've addressed needs in the infield, outfield and our pitching staff. With Alli Webster graduating at the end of this season, we especially thought it was important to add depth to our pitching staff, and I certainly feel like we've done that."
Leah Sohm – 5-3, SS - L/R – Knoxville, Tenn. – Gibbs
Sohm played for former Carson-Newman All-American Carol Mitchell at Gibbs High School. The shortstop has hit north of .380 in every year of her high school career. She has a total of 133 career stolen bases through three seasons.
"She possesses one of the greatest work ethics I've ever seen," Kazee-Hollifield said. "She will make us better all the way around. She plays defense exceptionally well and is impeccably fast."
Her best year came in her sophomore season, when she hit .481 with 51 swipes. She earned first-team All-Prep Extra honors as a sophomore and junior as well as All-KIL and All-State honors. She was also tabbed to the TSCA All-Academic team as a junior.
She is the daughter of Jeff Sohm and plans to study exercise science at Carson-Newman. She joins her high school teammate Cheyenne Boles on the roster.
Haley Caldwell – 5-6, UTL – R/R – Kenova, W.Va. – Spring Valley - @HaleyC_14
The state of West Virginia's home run leader for 2016, Haley Caldwell will join former Spring Valley Timberwolf Taylor Scott on the Eagles' roster. Her junior season, Caldwell clocked a .535 average with 53 RBI. She was named first team All-WVSSAC.
"What an explosive bat she has," Kazee-Hollifield said. "She is extremely strong and will give us a lot of run production."
The daughter of Angela Caldwell, she plans to study biology at Carson-Newman. She was a member of HOSA and SOAR. She chose Carson-Newman over West Virginia Wesleyan, Ohio and the University of Charleston.
Haley Kyle – 5-2, 2B – L/R – Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Blackman - @haleykylee_
A two-year varsity captain at Blackman High School for coaches Shelby Hayes and Jesse Messick, Kyle batted .346 for the Blazers as a junior.
"She has great speed," Kazee-Hollifield said. "And is a great contact hitter."
A decorated scholar, Kyle is Blackman's student body vice president and a member of the national honor society. She also is a member of the science national honor society and the Spectrum Program. She has received ACT Cum Laude Recognition and graduates with honors and distinction.
The daughter of Kristi and Rob Kyle, she plans to study to become a pharmacist.
Madison Collier – 5-7, P – R/R – Lafayette, Ga. – Gordon Lee
Collier played for coach Dana Mull at Gordon Lee High School.
"Another freshman to add to our pitching staff," Kazee-Hollifield said. "She has all the pitches and will be a great addition. She throws so hard."
A member of the National Honor Society and Star Roll, she is the daughter of Brent and Angel Collier. She plans to study biochemistry at Carson-Newman.
Morgan Crawford – 5-8, P – R/R – Chickamauga, Ga. – Ridgeland
Crawford was a three-sport star at Ridgeland High School where she also played basketball and ran track in addition to her exploits on the softball diamond. She batted .443 her junior year with five doubles and a county-best 11 dingers.
In the circle, she went 13-3 with three saves. She had 60 strikeouts across 101 innings and a 1.59 ERA.
"She can throw the ball really hard," Kazee-Hollifield said. "She has just about every pitch you could ask for. She's just a tremendous competitor."
Crawford was named 6-AAAA All-Region first team twice and was named the region pitcher of the year her junior season. She helped Ridgeland to a 2016 Region championships, two Sweet 16s and one Elite Eight.
The daughter of Shawn Crawford and Suzy Lachney, she plans to study special education at Carson-Newman. Her father played baseball at Berry College before spending two years in the minor leagues. Crawford was accepted into the STEM Academy at Ridgeland.
Valerie Seay – 5-6, UTL – S/R – Cross Plains, Tenn. – East Robertson - @vpseay
A two-sport athlete for the East Robertson Indians, Seay also played basketball. She was named district MVP and the Robertson County Pitcher of the Year as a junior. She has helped ERHS to a pair of district titles and a region championship as a junior.
"She's an all-around athlete and ballplayer," Kazee-Hollifield said. "She's got good speed and is a true outfielder. She'll run down a lot of balls in the gap, and could be a one or two hitter in the lineup."
The daughter of Pam and Tony Seay, she plans to study animal science. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club at ERHS.
