11/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
CONWAY - The Coastal Carolina softball program will welcome in five freshmen as part of its 2017 signing class, announced by head coach Kelley Green on Monday.
Stavi Augur (Del Mar, Calif.), Kaitlin Beasley-Polko (Leonardtown, Md.), Courtney Dean (Indian Trail, N.C.), Kylie Pignone (San Clemente, Calif.) and Samantha Sack (Barrington, N.J.) have committed to continue their softball careers at Coastal Carolina beginning next fall.
"We are very excited to have this class wearing teal for the next four years," said head coach Kelley Green. "This is a skilled group of athletes that will really help us make an impact in the Sun Belt Conference."
Stavi Augur | Del Mar, Calif. | Shortstop/Third Base
Augur is a four-year varsity member contributing at third base and short stop for Torrey Pines High School. She was a three-time first-team All-Palomar League and a two-time first-team All-CIF. During her junior season, Augur led her team to the Palomar League Championship with a .453 batting average while recording 39 hits, eight doubles, two homers and 17 RBI. As a freshman, she averaged .447 at the plate while recording 42 hits, 13 doubles, three home runs and a career high of 35 RBI. During her junior year she drove in 25 runs while adding a .434 average and career high of five home runs. Augur holds multiple records including hits, RBI and home runs in a season while also adding home runs in a career to the list.
"Stavi is a highly skilled infielder that has the offensive potential to make an impact in our lineup," Green said. "She has great fundamentals and will be a great addition to the left side of our infield."
Kylie Pignone | San Clemente, Calif. | Outfield
Pignone has been a varsity member during her time at San Clemente High School and received the Offensive Player of the Year nod in her freshman season. That season, she averaged a .479 with 34 hits while recording five doubles, two triples, three homeruns and 17 RBI. She also had a career high of 19 stolen bases. During her sophomore season, she averaged .340 at the plate and recorded 18 hits to drive in six runs. Pignone played a pivotal role that season leading the team to her High School's league championship. The following year, she aided the team to a co-league championship batting .306 and recorded 22 hits.
"Kylie is a dynamic outfielder and an offensive threat from the left side of the box," Green said. "As the only primary outfielder in this group we are excited to see how Kylie can impact our defensive outfield and lineup."
Cortney Dean | Indian Trail, N.C. | Middle Infield
Dean is a three-time All-State, All-District and All-Conference selection honoree. During her junior season, Dean hit .457 while having 42 hits. She recorded nine doubles and 14 RBI. She aided the team to a Conference Tournament Championship and advancing to the third round of the state finals. As a sophomore, she averaged .480 at the plate leading her team to a Regular season and Conference Tournament Championship. Dean played a pivotal role leading her team to the 3A State Championship during her freshman year. That season, she batted .481 while recording 51 hits, six doubles, three homers and 39 RBI.
"Courtney exemplifies all facets of our program," Green said. "Her competitiveness and work ethic have propelled her to success on the field and in the classroom. She is very athletic and can be play a multitude of positions. We expect Courtney to contribute in both the infield and outfield for us."
Kaitlin Beasley-Polko | Leonardtown, Md. | Pitcher/First Base
Beasley-Polko has been a three-year varsity starter at Leonardtown High School. Offensively last season she averaged a .362 at the plate with 17 hits while recording 13 RBI. As a sophomore, she helped the team to a 4A-East Regional Championship while batting .357 with 25 hits, four doubles and 11 RBI.
In the circle, Beasley-Polko held an 8-1 record her freshman season with a .536 ERA over 78 innings and aided the team to a Regional semifinalist finish. In 2015, she recorded 369 strikeouts over 158 innings pitched for a 21-3 overall record - a career best - that led to a team's 4A-East Regional Championship. Despite an injury during her junior season, she held an 11-5 overall record with a .322 ERA and 245 strikeouts over 108 innings pitched. That season, she also recorded a save. She was two-time first-team All-Met during her sophomore and junior seasons and was awarded 1st team All-SMAC Academic over her three seasons.
"Kaitlin is very talented pitcher who we anticipate making an immediate impact in our program," Green said. "She is very capable of notching a dominating performance each time she's in the circle. We have seen her have tremendous success against great club competition and we are thrilled to watch her continue that for the Chants."
Samantha Sack | Barrington, N.J. | Catcher/Third Base
Sack has averaged above .500 in her last three season at Paul VI High School. Last season, she averaged .558 at the plate recording 24 hits and five doubles. In her sophomore season, Sack batted .575 with 46 hits, 13 doubles and eight home runs -- all career highs. As a freshman, she had 41 hits which included 11 doubles and five homers to give her a .554 average at the plate. Sack has been a member of the National Honor Society the past two years.
"We always love having strong and powerful catchers in our lineup," Green said. "Sam fits right into that role. She is a powerful lefty hitter that does an outstanding job behind the plate. With her offensive weapons we expect Sam to be a steady fixture in our lineup."
