BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – After graduating just one senior following WKU Softball's 2018 campaign, head coach Amy Tudor continues to add to next year's experienced squad as she announced the addition of Shannon Plese to the program. The Knoxville, Tenn., native is eligible to compete immediately following stints at Chattanooga State Community College, South Carolina and Tennessee most recently.
"I am looking forward to adding another athlete to our outfield with Shannon joining us," Coach Tudor shared. "She has good speed, good size and brings another natural lefty to our lineup. Plese has experience, athleticism and will make us more competitive."
Plese played most recently at South Carolina during the 2016-17 campaign, appearing in 34 games for the Gamecocks with five starts. During her time in Columbia, S.C., Plese went 11-for-38 at the plate with seven RBI, three doubles and a home run. South Carolina advanced to the Arizona-hosted NCAA Regional during the 2017 season. In the classroom, Plese earned a spot on the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll and plans to continue pursuing her degree in hospitality and management on The Hill.
During her two seasons at Chattanooga State C.C., Plese was a two-time NJCAA All-American after hitting a combined .436 and slugging .623. Across the 2015 and '16 campaigns, the Christian Academy of Knoxville graduate scored 142 runs while registering 128 RBI in 126 games. In 2015, Plese and the Tigers made an appearance in the NJCAA Division I World Series.
A five year letterwinner during her prep career, Plese was a two-time All-State selection by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for Division I Class AA. Her first All-State selection came her sophomore season as a pitcher while the second came her senior season as an outfielder. The Warriors made a state semifinal appearance during Plese's senior campaign in 2014 during which the natural lefty hit .537 with 65 runs and 39 RBI.
The daughter of David and Angela, Shannon also three siblings, Sierra, Alex and Daniel. Plese will join the Red and White as a redshirt-senior in athletic standing.
Plese joins fellow Hilltopper newcomers Taylor Davis (Huntsville, Ala.), Abbie Heischman (Leo, Ind.), Macy Murphy (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Jordan Ridge (Louisville, Ky.), Sydne Solomon (Lewisburg, Tenn.) and Kennedy Sullivan (Georgetown, Ky.) on The Hill this fall.
How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball.
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