BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- WKU softball head coach Amy Tudor announced the signings of six student-athletes to National Letter of Intents for the 2017 season. Joining the Lady Toppers is Paige Carter (Crown Point, Indiana), Taylor Childress (Louisville, Ky.), Katie Johnson (Stillwater, Minn.), Morgan McElroy (Madisonville, Ky.), Tommi Stowers (Columbus, Indiana) and Haylee Towers (Johnston, Iowa).
"I am very proud of this class," Tudor said. "They are a well-rounded group of young ladies that are talented academically and athletically. I feel that we've strengthened our current and youthful roster in order to add depth and fill the needs for the future."
Paige Carter come to The Hill from Lake Central High School in Crown Point, Indiana, where she has recorded a .402 batting average and a .585 on-base percentage at Lake Central High School. Carter helped lead Lake Central to a state runner-up finish in 2015 and was both a second-team all-area and scholar athlete honoree. In addition to her softball talents, Carter helped the Northwest Indiana Region Weightlifting Club to a first-place finish in 2015.
"Paige is a utility player that will provide offensive firepower from the right side," Tudor said. "She has a powerful bat and can catch and play both second and outfield. She has played and been a productive hitter against some very good competition."
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Childress comes to WKU out of Male High School where she has recorded a .338 hitting average with 71 hits, 15 RBIs and 73 runs scored over her prep career. Childress was named to the Kentucky All-State team in 2015 and helped her Male team to a third place finish in the 2014 state tournament and a second place finishing in 2015. In addition, she was named to the Junior All-Star Region 7 team. Also a standout in the classroom, Childress is four-year honor roll recipient and is a member of the National Honor Society, BETA club and is 2015 Governors Scholar.
"Taylor is a Kentucky kid that will provide much needed speed to our lineup," Tudor said. "She is the only slapper in this class and is very bright and athletic and will continue to grow and develop."
Hailing from Stillwater, Minnesota, Katie Johnson comes to Bowling Green from Hill-Murray High School where the utility player was an East Metro All-Conference selection in 2015.
"Katie is probably the most versatile player in the class," Tudor said. "She can play anywhere but pitch so having all that experience will help her transition to playing collegiately. Her offensive firepower will immediately help our line up."
Morgan McElroy comes to WKU from nearby Madisonville, Kentucky, where the shortstop has played three years at North Hopkins High School. During her prep career, McElroy has appeared in 114 contests with 126 hits, 26 doubles, 77 RBIs and 100 runs scored. In 2015, McElroy hit .383 from the plate with a .430 on-base percentage. Defensively, she has recorded 229 putouts over her prep career. McElroy was named to the Kentucky All-Star West Juniors team in 2015.
"Morgan has great hands and has garnered a ton of experience at shortstop," Tudor said. "She is a quiet leader but has a big presence and has steadily improved as a player every year." A native of Columbus, Indiana, Tommi Stowers is a four-year varsity starter for Columbus North High School where she has accumulated a .382 batting average, a .401 on-base percentage with 65 hits and 31 RBIs. A first-team all-conference selection, Stowers was an all-area honoree and took home the team's Best Offensive player award. Equaly impressive off the field, Stowers is a Silver Honor Roll member.
"Tommi is a right-handed hitter who can catch, play third and possibly some outfield for us," Tudor said. "She has a big personality that can positively impact the team and has great experience playing all positions."
The final member of the class is Iowa native Haylee Towers. Towers comes to WKU off a stellar career at Johnston High School where she was a four-year varsity starter and helped lead Johnston to 5A state runner-up finishes in both 2013 and 2015 and to a 5A state championship in 2014. Towers is a three-time All-State, All-Conference and All-Region selection and was named to the state All-Tournament team in 2013 and 2015. Towers took home the Iowa Sports Spotlight Magazine Pitcher of the Year honor in 2015. A three-sport star, Towers lettered in basketball and track. She was state qualifier in the sprint medley in 2015. She has 78 starts on the mound and has pitched for 515.3 total innings. She has an overall win-loss record of 73-8 with eight saves, 535 strikeouts and a combined 1.03 ERA. At the plate, Towers has recorded 60 total hits with 19 walks and a .328 batting average.
"Haylee is an exciting competitor that has great command and composure on the mound," Tudor said. "She comes from great pitching instruction and I expect her to have an immediate impact in the circle as she transitions from her impressive high school career into her collegiate career as a Lady Topper."
"We added a very talented right handed pitcher form Iowa, three very versatile utility players, a strong defensive short stop, and a speedy outfielder," Tudor said. "All of these players bring different strengths to this program and we are looking forward to them being a part of the future success."
