ELON, N.C. – Head coach Patti Raduenz announces the signing of four student-athletes to the Elon softball team during the 2008 early signing period. Joining the team for the 2009-10 season is catcher Camille Hill, outfielder Tomeka Watson, and infield utility player Morgan Wright, and pitcher/utility player Karin-Andrea Pervell.
Hill joins the Phoenix from Marietta High School in Marietta, Ga. During the summer of 2008, Hill was a member of the GA Knockouts 18 Gold travel club where she also played the outfield in addition to her regular duties as the team’s catcher. As a catcher, she threw out 25-of-32 base runners. Her club team finished third in the Colorado Fireworks tournament during the season. Hill is the daughter of Steve and Karen Hill.
Raduenz on Hill: “Camille is a big arm catcher with a good head for the game and a strong hunger to be challenged to be better. Her personality and leadership behind the plate will drive our pitchers to stay relaxed yet focused. Camille’s athletic build brings a tough physical game behind the plate.”
Hailing from Jackson, Ga., Watson comes to Elon spending four years on the Jackson High School softball team where she was a four-year starter. She was a three-time all-region player and was named to the 4-AAA first-team. While at Jackson, Watson led her team to four straight appearances at the Georgia State Sections and was named Jackson’s Best Offensive Player in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Her team finished 25-5, making it the first time in the history of Jackson fast pitch that a team has finished a season with 25 wins. Watson also was a member of the Atlanta Vipers and the Georgia Elite, making two appearances at Gold Nationals, finishing in the top-13 both times. Watson is the daughter of Tommy and Daphne Watson.
Raduenz on Watson: ‘Tomeka is a tremendous athlete that has the potential to be one of the top outfielders in the Southern Conference. Her speed, offensive skills, dedication and competitiveness will be tough for our opponents to match. Tomeka is the complete package, she has a tremendous work ethic and loves to compete.”
Wright, a native of Siler City, N.C., joins Elon after a standout career at Jordan-Matthews High School. In 2008, she helped her team to a second-place conference finish and the conference tournament title. She was also a member of Jordan-Matthews’ 2006 and 2007 conference and conference tournament runner-up teams. For her efforts, Wright was named her teams MVP in 2008 and was named all-conference, all-district and was an all-state honorable mention. In 2007 she was selected to the all-conference team and was an all-district honorable mention. She is the daughter of Tony and Diane Wright.
Raduenz on Wright: “Morgan is a hardnosed local talent who provides power at the plate and great size as a utility player on the infield. Morgan’s desire to improve on a daily basis is rarely seen in young people today.”
Pervell is the final signee for the 2009-10 signing class. A utility player who also has played first base and outfield in addition to her pitching duties. Pervell joins the Phoenix after an impressive career at Lewis Palmer High School. The Colorado Springs, Colo. native is a two-time High School and Southern Colorado Player of the Year. She was also named the Freshman of the Year and was an all-state honorable mention in 2005. She holds the Metro 5A League record for lowest ERA with a .55 and the highest batting average with a .625. Pervell led Lewis Palmer to back-to-back undefeated high school championships; including the schools first ever league title in 2006. Pervell was also named to the academic all-state softball team as a junior. She is also a gold medal winner as a member of the Team USA International team, which defeated the Czech Republic National Team 12-6 in the semi-finals. During the game, she registered six strikeouts, allowed nine hits and four walks. As a member of the Colorado Quicksilver 18A squad, she helped the team tie for 12th nationally in the ASA ‘A’ nationals. Pervell is the daughter Brad and Sheila Pervell.
Raduenz on Pervell: “Kari is going to be a great addition to our team. She is an extremely confident left-handed pitcher. Defensively Kari brings to us power and on the mound and depth at first base, while also providing in addition, she has the versatility to provide power at the plate offensively.”
- ELON -
