MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry softball program signed a quintet in the early period this year. The five players, who will join the Bucs in fall of 2012, are all high school seniors.
"We are very excited about our 2011 November early signees,” head coach Danielle Penner said. “I anticipate this incoming Buccaneer class to immediately compete for starting positions. They are hard-working, athletic and versatile students of the game. In addition to excelling on the field, they are all strong students in the classroom. We are looking forward to their successful four-year academic and athletic careers.”
The class includes outfielder Megan Copeland of Palm Harbor HS, pitcher/outfielder Taylor Sabol of Palm Harbor HS, middle infielder Lexi Corrente of Barron Collier HS, infielder/outfielder Ashley Fernandez of Coral Reef and utility player Alexis Kent of Deltona HS.
Copeland and Sabol led Palm Harbor to the district finals three straight seasons, winning in 2009 and 2010. Copeland hit .507 as a junior with a .658 on-base percentage out of the leadoff slot for coach Chuck Poetter’s Hurricanes. Sabol, a three-year starter as the number one pitcher, is 55-9 with a 1.03 ERA in 384 innings with 356 strikeouts.
Corrente is a three-time all-conference and two-time all-state selection for coach Tom Resop’s Cougars at Barron Collier High. As a junior, she hit .371 with 22 runs scored and 30 RBI in 32 games. She had 14 doubles and nine triples to slug .619.
Fernandez was an honorable mention All-Dade County pick for coach Marinka Bisceglia at Coral Reef High. As a junior, she hit .435 with two homers and 23 RBI, while swiping 13 bases.
Kent is a four-year starter for coach Lindsay Ingram at Deltona High. As a junior, she hit .514 with 29 runs scores and 21 RBI. She also went 3-2 with a 1.96 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 53.2 innings.
Megan Copeland - 6A Palm Harbor University High School (PHUH) – Outfield
- 2010 1st Team All-County North Suncoast
- 2010 2nd Team All-Pinellas County
- 2011 1st Team All-County North Suncoast
- 2011 1st Team All-Pinellas County
- 2011 Colorado Fireworks All-American
- Palm Harbor University High School was 2009 & 2010 District Champs, and 2011 District Runner-up
- Has been lead-off for PHUH every game played in 2010 & 2011
- 2011 - BA .507, OB% .658, Runs 21 & averaged 9 pitches per AB
- Megan is an honor student interested in pursuing Business (undecided about specialty)
- Mizuno Krusherz coached by Ray Szelest
Penner on Copeland - "Megan is a talented outfielder, capable of making an immediate impact in our 2013 line-up. Her speed will likely make her a valuable asset in one of the top two spots of our batting order."
Alexis (Lexi) Corrente - 3A Barron Collier High School - Middle Infield
- 2009 All-Collier County (Honorable Mention)
- 2009 High School Varsity Team Offensive Player of the Year|
- 2010 1st Team All-Collier County
- 2010 1st Team Naples Daily News All-Area
- 2010 All-State (Honorable Mention)
- 2011 1st Team All-Collier County
- 2011 1st Team Naples Daily News All-Area
- 2011 All-State (3rd Team)
- 2011 High School Most Outstanding athlete
- 2011 (32 games) - BA .371, OB% .424, SLUG .619, SB 9
- Alexis is an honor student planning to pursue Accounting
- Southern Shockers coached by Michael Jeter
Penner on Corrente - "Lexi is a strong utility player with a lot of untapped offensive power. Her versatility, power and work ethic will make her an immediate impact offensively and defensively."
Ashley Fernandez - 6A Coral Reef High School - Utility IF/OF
- 2011 All-County
- 2011 - BA .431, Runs 16, SB 13, RBI 23
- lettered in basketball and softball
- Ashley is an honor student planning to pursue Sports Management
- Lady Canes coached by Jenny Alfonso
Penner on Fernandez - "Ashley is one of the most natural defensive players we have signed. Her smooth hands are equally matched by her strong arm and impressively quick reflexes. Ashley is capable of both starting and excelling at several positions as a freshman."
Alexis Kent - 6A Deltona High School - Utility
- 2011 All-Area
- 2011 - BA .511, OB% .617, Runs 29, ERA 1.96 3-2, .FLD .987
- Alexis in an honor student planning to pursue Athletic Training
- Future Rebels coached by Todd Verkennes
Penner on Kent - "AK is one of the truest utility players we have signed. Her selflessness and willingness to play where needed is perhaps the biggest reason she was overlooked for additional high school honors in the past. She is one of the few student-athletes capable of playing everywhere on the field, including both battery positions. As a Buccaneer, I expect AK to compete immediately for a starting position behind the dish and at 3B."
Taylor Sabol - 6A Palm Harbor University High School - Pitcher/ Outfield
- 2009 1st Team All-Pinellas County
- 2009 2nd Team All-County North Suncoast
- 2010 1st Team All-Pinellas County
- 2010 1st Team All-County North Suncoast
- 2011 1st Team All-Pinellas County
- 2011 1st Team All-County North Suncoast
- 2009 - 2011: W/L 55-9, ERA 1.03, IP 334, K's 356 (#1 pitcher on PHUH Team beginning SO year)
- Taylor is an honor student planning to pursue Biochemistry
- Mizuno Krusherz coached by Ray Szelest
Penner on Sabol - "A great contrast to our existing pitching staff, Taylor is a talented left-handed pitcher with outstanding poise and impressive movement. She is entering her high school senior season with several quality pitches and multiple changes of speed. In addition to providing an immediate impact in the circle, Taylor also has notable speed on the bases."