BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Head Coach Tyra Perry announced today that five newcomers will join the 2011 WKU softball team. Brittanie Albright, Tiffany Gooch, Megan Johnson, Kelsie Mattox and Amanda Thomas will suit up for the Lady Toppers next season.
Albright is a product of Father Ryan School in Nashville, Tenn. A four year starter for the Fighting Irish, she was an all-conference and all-state selection her junior year. While in high school, she finished with a combined record of 16-8-1 and accumulated 235 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.76. During her 2009 travel ball season, she finished with a record of 30-6 and with 312 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.83.
She is the daughter of Richard and Ronda Albright and plans to major in exercise science. She hopes to one day own her own athletic training facility.
“It has always been my dream to be a Division I athlete,” Albright said. “I am proud and honored to have signed with WKU. Dreams really do come true when you have a positive attitude and you believe in yourself. Go Tops!”
Gooch is a three year starter from Wilson Central High School in Lebanon, Tenn. As a junior starter, she led her team to the state tournament for the first time in school history. She also received the Golden Glove Award and was selected to the All-District 9AAA team.
She is the daughter of Rodney and Felicia Gooch and will major in biology at WKU. After graduation, she plans to attend physical therapy school or physician assistant school. Her father played football at the University of Tennessee at Martin and her sister played softball at the University of Memphis.
“My feelings about signing with WKU are overwhelming and exciting,” Gooch said. “It is an amazing feeling to be attending WKU as a student-athlete and to be a part of the WKU softball team. I look forward to saying that I am a WKU student-athlete.”
Johnson is a two‐time First Team All‐Region catcher. As a sophomore in 2007, she finished the season with a .436 batting average with two homeruns, five triples, seven doubles and 24 RBIs in a 30 game season. In 2008, she was honored as a Scholar Athlete and was an Honorable Mention All‐State selection. She finished the season with a .424 batting average with eight homeruns, two triples, eight
doubles and 31 RBIs. In 2009, she led her team to a state championship and helped lead her team to an overall record of 30‐4. She also led her club teams to success finishing fourth in the National Tournament back‐to‐back.
Johnson is the daughter of Paul and Modesta Johnson and plans to major in nursing at WKU.
“It has been a goal of mine since I was a young girl to play collegiate softball,” Johnson said. “I feel like I really fit in at Western Kentucky University. I am genuinely honored and excited to be playing for WKU.”
Mattox is a four-year starter from Alpharetta High School in Alpharetta, Ga. During her high school career, she was named a Georgia Dugout Club All-State selection and an East All-Star. She also was named to the Georgia Elite 80 and was a two-time Region 6-AAAAA First Team Infielder. Mattox was named the Alpharetta High School MVP twice and was captain her senior year. She also received the North Fulton News Athlete of the Week award during her career. As a junior, she batted .427 and finished her career as the leader in home runs. She also completed her career with an overall batting average of .357 and she batted .357 in the 2009 Oklahoma City 18 and under Gold Tournament. She also led her summer travel team, the Georgia Riptides, in batting average.
She is the daughter of Bruce and Kathy Mattox and will major in pre-law, broadcasting and political science at WKU. Her plans after graduation include studying law and journalism and pursuing a career in commercial or sports law. Her brother, Bradford Mattox, currently plays baseball for the University of West Georgia.
“I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to play Division I softball at Western Kentucky University as a Lady Topper,” Mattox said. “I can’t wait to get on campus and begin working hard to compete and win championships.”
Thomas is a 2008 First Team All‐District honoree from Mesquite, Texas. In 2007, she was named to the Second Team All‐District team while also being named to the All‐Academic All‐District team. She was also named to the All‐Academic All‐District team in 2008 and was named the Horn Infielder of the Year during the same season. She finished her career in 2009 as the Horn Offensive Player of the Year while also picking up the Horn Infielder of the Year for the second consecutive season. She was also named to the Second Team All‐District team and the academic All‐District team her senior year. While at John Horn High School in Mesquite, Texas, she led the team in RBIs in 2007. She helped guide her team to a District championship in 2008 and an undefeated season in 2009 where the team won the District Championship for the second consecutive year. In 2009, she led the team in batting average with an overall average of .344.
Thomas is the daughter of Keith and Deanna Thomas and will major in physical therapy while at WKU.
"I am really excited about this opportunity and for my future at WKU," Thomas said. "I think the school is a very good fit for me and I cannot wait to get to WKU next fall."
The WKU softball team opens up the 2010 season on Feb.12 when they head to Mobile, Ala. to take part in the South Alabama Tournament.
