Nov. 26, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina and head softball coach Joyce Compton recently announced the signing of seven softball student-athletes to national letters of intent in the early signing period last week. The seven softball signees are scheduled for enrollment for Fall 2004.
“I think that this is the most athletic class we have ever signed. I believe that we have improved every aspect of our team with this class, on the mound, in the field and at the plate,” said Compton. “We look for them to have an immediate impact on Carolina softball.”
The seven student-athletes are Whitney Wierzbicki from Beaufort, S.C., Kate Pouliot of Fountain Inn, S.C., Jessica Barnes of Denver, Colo., Stefanie Norman, Fayetteville, Ga., Becky Martinez of Weston, Fla., Jessica Josker from San Jacinto, Calif. and Lisa Longo of Valley Stream, N.Y.
Whitney Wierzbicki, OF…Beaufort, S.C. …Battery Creek H.S….All-Region 2000-2003…All-Region Player of the Year in 2003 … All-State 2003 … Rookie of the Year on H.S. team … Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore … HS MVP as a junior … Also plays for the Carolina Bandits … Also lettered in basketball, cross country and track.
Kate Pouliot, Pitcher, Utility … Fountain Inn, S.C. … Hillcrest H.S. … 2003 All-Region and Player of the Year … 4A All-State Player of the Year … Student Sports First Team All-American … High School Sports Report “Miss Softball” … SC Gatorade Player of the Year.
Jessica Barnes, Pitcher, First Base, Outfield … Denver, Colo. … Denver East H.S. … 2001-2003 First Team all-league, Denver Prep League Player of the Year, Don McCall Tournament MVP … Named to the Colorado All-State Team … Denver East High School Female Athlete of the Year … Plays summer ball for Colorado Stampede.
Stefanie Norman, Infield … Fayetteville, Ga. … Fayette County H.S. … Three-time All-State, all-region and all-county … Helped lead team to 2002 5A Georgia State Championship … Named Georgia Player of the Week several times throughout career … Earned 2001 Defensive Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003 … Also a two-time letterman in basketball where she made all-region and all-county both years … Played summer ball for Atlanta Vipers.
Becky Martinez, Third base … Weston, Fla. … Western H.S. … Class 6A All-Broward County Team … Miami Herald Second-Team all-county in 2003 … Plays summer ball for Davie Power in Davie, Fla.
Jessica Josker, Outfield … San Jacinto, Calif. … Hemet H.S. … All-CIF and all-area team … LA Times all-region team … Sunbelt League first-team … Hit .391 as a junior and .448 as a sophomore … Plays summer ball for Davis Batbusters
Lisa Longo, Shortstop … Valley Stream, N.Y. … Valley Stream H.S. … Three-time all-county selection … Led team to county finals in 2001 with a .992 fielding percentage … Also lettered four years in basketball where she was named all-county … Team captain for basketball and softball teams … Plays summer ball for Beach Girls Gold.
