Softball Strengthens Roster with Seven More Newcomers

MUNCIE, Ind. - - It was a very busy summer for Ball State softball head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett and staff, as they strengthened the team's 2017 roster by adding six transfers and a seventh incoming freshman.

Joining the Cardinals for the start of the 2016 fall semester are freshman Tara Morey (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine), sophomore transfer Olivia Huffman (Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge/South Dakota) and junior college transfers Brittany Hopper (Scottsdale, Ariz./Perry/Phoenix College), Danae King (Glendale, Ariz./Sunrise Mountain/Phoenix College), Madison Labrador (Lexington, S.C./Lexington/Spartanburg Methodist College), Kayla Maxwell (Tampa, Fla./Alonso/State College of Florida) and Cadie O'Donnell (Salina, Kan./Salina South/Barton Community College).

The seven players join Haley Dominique (Oregon, Ohio/Clay), Janae Hogg (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral), Darcie Huber (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central), Caitlyn Robinson (Clarksville, Ohio/Clinton-Massie), Alyssa Rothwell (Ashville, Ohio/Teays Valley) and Kennedy Wynn (New Albany, Ind./New Albany) who signed National Letters of Intent during the 2015 early signing period in November.

All told, the 2017 Ball State softball roster will feature 13 new players and seven returning athletes.

STUDENT-ATHLETE PROFILES
Name                                  Position                 Hometown (Previous School)
Tara Morey                       INF                           New Palestine, Ind. (New Palestine)
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters in softball at New Palestine High School for Coach Ed Marcum … honorable mention all-state as a senior … helped guide the Dragons to a 95-17 record over her career, including a 24-3 record and sectional championship her senior season … earned the 2016 Lady Dragon Award after producing a .422 batting average, a .519 on base percentage and a .671 slugging percentage … also scored 20 runs her senior season, while collecting 19 RBIs, six doubles, two triples and a pair of home runs … named the team's Most Improved Player as a junior after batting .368 with 21 runs scored and five RBI … team's Mental Attitude Award winner as a sophomore after batting .429 with 22 runs scored and eight RBI … stole 12 bases over her final three seasons, including a career-high six her senior year … also earned four letters in cheerleading, two letters in gymnastics and played junior varsity volleyball for New Palestine … earned the 2013 and 2014 Extra Effort Awards and was the 2015 and 2016 Most Valuable Award winner in cheerleading … named the 2015 Most Improved Gymnastics and Mental Attitude Award winner for gymnastics … also the 2016 Most Valuable and Rock Solid Gymnast … team captain in volleyball as a freshman and sophomore.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Karen and Kevin Morey … has one brother, Tyler, and one sister, Whitney … her cousin Riley Miller is a freshman on the Ball State football team … her uncle Greg Miller played basketball at Ball State … her cousin Allyson Morey played volleyball at Dayton … her cousin Taylor Morey played volleyball at Notre Dame and Wisconsin, plus was a member of the 2015 USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team which competed in China … her cousin Ryan Morrow plays football at Trine University … her cousin Ryan Morey plays basketball at Indiana Tech … born April 11, 1998 in Indianapolis, Ind. … full name is Tara Lynn Morey … majoring in either exercise science, nursing, or physical therapy.
WHY I CHOSE BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because I think the softball program has great potential. I am excited to join the program and help achieve our goals.

Olivia Huffman               INF                           Woodbury, Minn. (East Ridge/South Dakota)
SOUTH DAKOTA – 2016 (Fr.): Played in 22 of 53 games … earned 13 starts, including eight at catcher … finished the season with a .209 (9-for-43) batting average … her first collegiate hit was a two-run home run versus San Diego (Feb. 20) … tallied back-to-back two-hit games versus Central Michigan (March 11) and Army (March 12) … logged her first career double in the 4-3 win over the Chippewas … drove in a pair of runs in the 4-3 victory over the Cadets … finished the season with five RBIs … named to the Summit League honor roll.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned five letters in softball at East Ridge High School for coach Afton Murray … named first team all-state as a senior after batting .394 with nine doubles, two home runs and a triple … also scored 21 runs and collected 16 RBIs her senior season, while earning 18 free passes (13 walks / five hit by pitches) … named team Most Valuable Player and earned all-state honorable mention honors as a junior after batting .500 with 11 doubles, three home runs, 18 RBIs and 20 runs scored … tallied .333 batting averages as a freshman and a sophomore, combining for 10 doubles, 25 runs scored and 23 RBIs over the two-year span … helped guide the Raptors to a sectional runner-up finish her freshman year … played AAU ball for the Minnesota Sting … also lettered in basketball and volleyball at East Ridge.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Scott and Barb Huffman … has two brothers, David and Taylor, and one sister, Jocelyn … both of her brothers run track and cross country for Bethel University … her father played football at Bethel University … born Jan. 21, 1997 in St. Paul, Minn. … full name is Olivia Katherine Huffman … majoring in pre-medicine and plans to attend medical school.
WHY I CHOSE BALL STATE: I chose Ball State softball because of the coaches' commitment to take this team to the top. Not only are they invested in the team as a whole, but they are also invested in each of us as individuals. They show us how to support our team like members of a family. The atmosphere of this program is one of strong character, hard work and dedication to representing Ball State well both on and off the field. I am so proud to be a Cardinal.

Brittany Hopper             INF                           Scottsdale, Ariz. (Perry/Phoenix College)
PHOENIX COLLEGE – 2016 (So.): Played in 62 games to helped guide the Bears to a fourth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament … team finished the year with a 57-8-1 (.871) overall record and captured the ACCAC and NJCAA Division II Regional I championships … NFCA First Team All-American and NJCAA Third Team All-American … All-ACCAC and All-Region I First Team … two-time ACCAC Player of the Week … finished the season with a .468 batting average including 26 doubles, 15 home runs and a pair of triples … produced a .522 on base percentage and a .841 slugging percentage … her 15 home runs ranked sixth among all ACCAC players … her 81 runs scored ranked second in the conference, while her 64 RBIs were 12th.
PHOENIX COLLEGE – 2015 (Fr.): Helped guide the Bears to a 53-12 (.815) overall record and the NJCAA Division II Region I and ACCAC championships … NFCA First Team All-American … All-ACCAC Second Team and All-Region First Team … produced a .411 batting average with 15 home runs, 12 doubles and a triple … her 15 home runs ranked fourth in the ACCAC, while her 66 RBIs were fifth … also scored 47 and produced a .471 on base percentage and a .721 slugging percentage.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned three letters in softball at Perry High School for coach Kevin Chapin … helped guide the Pumas to a 70-30 record over her career, including a 22-15 mark her senior season … named all-state second team as a senior after posting a .427 batting average with seven doubles, two home runs, 24 RBIs and 16 runs scored … first team all-state and all-conference as a junior after producing a .408 batting average with 13 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored … hit .279 as a sophomore with one home run, 13 RBIs and three runs scored.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Mark and Mary Jo Hopper … has two sisters, Shelby and Lexi … born Nov. 2, 1995 in Scottsdale, Ariz. … full name is Brittany Renee Hopper … majoring in business marketing.
WHY I CHOSE BALL STATE: I immediately fell in love with Ball State. It has an atmosphere I want to be in. It will be place I can consistently improve on and off the field, as well as make a family away from home. I am excited to play for people who have played at very high levels and continue to chase their dreams on and off the field.

Danae King                       INF                           Glendale, Ariz. (Sunrise Mountain/Phoenix College)
PHOENIX COLLEGE – 2016 (So.): Played in 65 games to helped guide the Bears to a fourth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament … team finished the year with a 57-8-1 (.871) overall record and captured the ACCAC and NJCAA Division II Regional I championships … NFCA First Team All-American and NJCAA First Team All-American … NJCAA Marucci Elite Hitter Award … NJCAA Division II Softball National All-Tournament Team … All-Region and All-ACCAC First Team … lead the Bears with a .516 batting average and ranked second in the nation with 28 home runs … ranked sixth nationally with a 1.010 slugging percentage, while her 75 RBIs were 11th among all NJCAA Division II players … finished the season with a .574 on base percentage by adding 17 doubles and a triple to go along with 63 singles.
OLE MISS – 2015 (Fr.): Appeared in 12 games for the Rebels, primarily used as a pinch hitter and a defensive replacement … hit .300 as she went 3-for-10 with four runs scored, a double, a triple and three RBIs … made her first appearance at No. 16 Arizona State (Feb. 6) in the Kajikawa Classic … recorded her first hit in game one against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (March 11) and tallied an RBI … scored a season-high three runs with two RBI in game two of the doubleheader against Pine Bluff … went 1-for-1 with a double and a walk in the second game against the Lady Lions … hit her first triple against No. 12 Georgia (April 11) in game two of the weekend series … went 1-for-1 with an RBI and a run scored in the contest.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters in softball at Sunrise Mountain High School for coach Jody Pruitt … helped guide the team to a 116-10 record over her career, including a 21-4 record her senior year … named all-state second team as a junior and senior … led the Mustangs with a .506 batting average and logged 16 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 39 RBIs and 33 runs scored as a senior … helped guide Sunrise Mountain to a state championship as a junior by producing a .505 batting average with 55 hits and 44 runs scored … tabbed first team all-division and all-section as a sophomore and junior … honorable mention all-state as a sophomore … Sunrise Mountain finished second in the state tournament her sophomore year where she held a .470 batting average and 55 hits ... helped lead her high school to the Arizona 4A-1 Region Champions … also lettered in badminton and volleyball at Sunrise Mountain.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Shawn and Jan King … born Jan. 25, 1997 in Glendale, Ariz. … full name is Danae Michelle King … majoring in education.
WHY I CHOSE BALL STATE: I had an immediate connection with the entire coaching staff and they made me feel very comfortable and answered every question I had about the softball program. Once I arrived on campus, I knew Ball State was the perfect fit for me. The campus is beautiful, the academic support is great and I am very excited to be a Cardinal.

Madison Labrador         INF                           Lexington, S.C. (Lexington/Spartanburg Methodist College)
Spartanburg Methodist College – 2016 (So.): Helped guide the Pioneers to a 55-11 record, including an undefeated run in NJCAA Region X … SMU won the Region X regular season and tournament championships … NJCAA District I Champions and NJCAA National Tournament participant … team put together a 28-game winning streak during the season … NJCAA Region X Player of the Year … NJCAA Marucci Elite Hitter Award … Region X First Team … led the Pioneers with a .497 batting average, including 16 doubles, five triples and six home runs … scored a team-high 67 runs, while adding 38 RBIs … finished the season with a .544 on base percentage and a .781 slugging percentage.
USC-AIKEN – 2015: Redshirted at USC-Aiken
USC-AIKEN – 2014 (Fr.): Started all 49 games at second base … finished the season with a .230 batting average with six doubles and four home runs … ranked second on the team with 20 runs scored, while collecting 14 RBIs … her first career hit was a two-run home run in the season-opening 8-0 (5) victory over Coker (Feb. 7).
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters in softball at Lexington High School for coach Russel Spires … a four-time all-region selection … was and all-state selection and earned a spot in the North/South Game.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Jeannie Doyle and Richard Labrador … has one brother, Pierce, who played baseball at Newberry college … her father participated in track & field at the University of South Carolina … born May 3, 1995 in Lexington, S.C. … full name is Madison Hope Labrador … majoring in general studies.
WHY I CHOSE BALL STATE: After prayer and careful consideration, I chose Ball State because it was the best fit. I believe that Ball State University is going to provide me with the opportunity to maximize my potential on the field and in the classroom.

Kayla Maxwell                RHP                         Tampa, Fla. (Alonso/State College of Florida)
STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA – 2016 (So.): Helped guide SCF to a 34-18 (.654) overall record, including a second-place conference finish with a 14-5 (.737) mark … made 30 appearances in the circle for the Manatees, posting a 13-8 record and one save over 178.1 innings of work … struck out 86 batters, including a season-high nine vs. St. Johns River State (March 5) … recorded at least one strikeout in 28 appearances … threw 19 complete games, including a complete game shutout of Seminole State College of Florida (Feb. 9).
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON – 2015 (Fr.): Made 12 appearances in the circle, finishing the year with a 5.05 ERA and a 3-3 record over 44.1 innings of work ... made seven starts for the Cougars with one complete game ... pitched 7.0 innings and allowed only one earned run while striking out three in her collegiate debut vs. Southern Miss (Feb. 6) to pick up her first win … struck out 13 batters on the year.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters in softball at Alonso High School for coach Robin Kopp… first team all-conference all four years … finalist for player of the year after helping guide the Ravens to a 21-5 overall record and the first district title in school history her senior year … earned a 17-3 record and posted a 1.36 ERA as a senior.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Bruce and Shannon Maxwell … has one sister, Brooke … born Dec. 19, 1995 in Greenwood, Ind. … full name is Kayla Marie Maxwell … majoring in health.
WHY I CHOSE BALL STATE: I knew Ball State was the school for me because I absolutely loved the campus and it felt like home. It was everything I could dream of. I loved the winning tradition of the softball program and I cannot wait to play for some amazing coaches who love to win. I'm so excited to be a Cardinal.

Cadie O'Donnell            C/OF                        Salina, Kan. (Salina South/Barton Community College)
BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – 2016 (So.): Helped guide the Cougars to a 51-8 (.864) overall record, which is the most wins in program history … Barton finished second in its conference with a 19-5 (.792) league record … played in all 59 games, finishing the year with a .379 batting average, a .422 on base percentage and a .458 slugging percentage … ranked second on the team with 63 runs scored, while tying a program record with 32 stolen bases … also led the team with four triples, while adding seven doubles … drove in 29 RBIs … recorded a career-high three hits in five different games … her first hit for the Cougars was a two-run triple in the bottom of the fourth inning of a 13-5 (6) victory over Bethany College (Feb. 10).
COWLEY COLLEGE – 2015 (Fr.): Helped guide the Tigers to a 34-14 (.708) record … played in 29 games, boasting a .263 batting average and a .300 on base percentage … logged 13 stolen bases … scored 13 runs and tallied eight RBIs … recorded her lone double of the season versus Seminole State (OK) (Feb. 3), which was also the first of her three two-hit games on the year.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters in softball at Salina South High School for coach Kurt Wolf… named Second Team All-State and Salina South's Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior … First Team All-League as a junior and senior year, after earning second team accolades as a sophomore … also earned two letters in basketball and four letters in volleyball at Salina South … named Second Team All-League in volleyball as a junior and senior.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Julie and Kenny O'Donnell … has one sister, Kellie, and one brother, Tanner … born Sept. 6, 1995 in Salina, Kan. … full name is Cadie Nicole O'Donnell … majoring in marketing.
WHY I CHOSE BALL STATE: I chose Ball State in all honesty for softball. I get to be part of an elite program with an elite coaching staff and it's an incredible opportunity. Once I got here though, I'm finding out there is more to Ball State than just athletics. I'm figuring out it is a wonderful community to be a part of and the beautiful campus is a bonus. Being from out of state I was a little nervous, but it didn't take long for Ball State to become home.

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