The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Softball Signs Three Student-Athletes on National Signing Day
November 11 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron Softball head coach Julie Jones announced the Zips' 2016-17 signee class on Wednesday. Committing to join the Zips' softball program is Madison Carter (Newnan, Georgia), Alexis Handley (Mogadore, Ohio) and Sydney Jascoe (Commerce Township, Mich.)
"We are excited to add this group of three outstanding athletes to our program and are just as excited about them as people. I know they will help us move forward in our mission of becoming Smarter - Stronger - Better!" said Jones.
An outfielder from East Coweta High School in Newnan, Ga. Carter was selected to the All-County team a year ago. As a junior, she hit. .429 on 51 hits, 8 RBI and swiped 27 bases. She holds the school record for most sacrifice bunts in a season (22). In Carter's high school career she has stolen 62 bases.
"We are thrilled to bring Madison north to join our stolen-base attack. Her speed will fit very nicely into our philosophy and will make our pitchers happy as she tracks down everything in the outfield with her speed," said coach Jones "She is a delightful, hard working kid. She is a true slap hitter and knowing the success we have found with kids with her skill set in the past, I see great things for Madison as a Zip."
Handley, a pitcher from the local St. Vincent-St. Mary High School was a First-Team All-Ohio a year ago. In her career, she owns a 0.72 ERA in 311 innings pitched with 575 strikeouts. From the plate, Handley hit a career-best .405 as a junior driving in 30 runs. She has been named to the First-Team All-District in each of her previous two seasons. She helped lead the Irish to a district championship and regional runner-up finish in 2014 with a 14-3 record in the circle.
"A hard thrower, great student and talented athlete, we are excited to get Lexie in a Zips uniform and see what she can do to help lead our program forward. I have the advantage of knowing quite a bit about who Lexie is as a person having gone to college with both of her parents and I am honored that they have supported Lexie's desire to continue her career at UA," said coach Jones. "I need a few more of my college friends to produce such special student-athletes. Watching Lexie's determination throughout her career at St. V, working to make that program the best it can be, makes me excited to see what her dreams will be as she moves to the next level."
Jascoe, a third basemen and catcher from Marian Catholic High School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., was selected to the All-State team in Michigan the past two years. As a junior, she recorded a .481 batting average collecting 51 hits and 20 RBIs. Her 22 doubles as a freshman represented the third-best single-season total in state history.
"The State of Michigan has sent us something special in Sydney Jascoe. Every time I watched her play this summer she hit the heck out of the ball. Syd has great power and has defensive versatility that has made her a very good third baseman. She also has extensive experience behind the plate," said coach Jones. "Sydney has all of the tools to be an extremely successful college athlete. Aside from her athletic talents, she is an outstanding student and has chosen to challenge herself in the classroom throughout her high school career. It will be fun to watch her career unfold. I expect great things."
