Softball Announces Five Signees During The Early Signing Period

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis softball team and head coach Natalie Poole announce the signing of Kendall Lee, Mariah Nichols, Christie Runnels, Delaney Smith, and Riley Walker during the early signing period.

"I am very excited about this class, not only because of the talent that each of these young ladies will bring to our softball program, but also because of their commitment to academics and having great character," said Poole. "They are impactful contributors to their travel softball organizations and their high school program already, and I see them being impactful here right away. All of these athletes compete on a national level, and know what it takes to win against other great players and programs. They all play with a lot of heart and passion towards the sport, and that is the kind of athlete we want here. We have been waiting for this day to get here so that we can officially congratulate them on becoming a University of Memphis Tiger, and now that day has come."

Kendall Lee
5-8 | Utility
Lakeland, Tenn. | Arlington High School

Lee, a native of Lakeland, Tenn. who was born in Memphis, joins the Tigers from Arlington High School. At Arlington, Lee is a three-time District 14-AAA First-Team selection, a three-time Pepsi Best of Preps All-Metro selection, and the 2016 Pepsi Best of Preps Finalist. She is also a TSCA AAA West All-State pick.

Last season, Lee led her team with a .635 batting average where she set a program record at Arlington. She is also the program record-holder with 11 home runs and 60 RBIs in a season. In her career, she is the all-time batting average and home run leader at Arlington High School.

Several of her outstanding games in her career include a 3-for-4 effort from the plate with a single, a triple, and a grand slam with seven RBIs against Dyer County and a 3-for-3 showing with a single, a double, and a home run with five RBIs against Shelbyville.

She was a member of the Xtreme DeMarini 12U and 14U club team as well as the Germantown Red Devils 16U squad. Last season, the Red Devils went 32-14-2 and Lee led the team with 15 home runs.

In addition to playing softball, Lee is a member of the Beta Club and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) at Arlington High School.

Coach Poole's comments on Lee
"Kendall is going to be a great addition to our infield group. She is athletic enough to play more than one position, but mostly plays third base. She moves well, has a strong presence on the field, and is offensively a tough out. She hits for both power and average. We are thankful that she has chosen to stay close to home and be a part of the Tiger program.

Mariah Nichols
5-9 | Pitcher
Lone Oak, Texas | Lone Oak High School

Nichols joins the Tigers after competing at Lone Oak High School in Texas. Her team has made it to postseason the last three years with the 2014 season ending at the state semifinals. In 2015, Lone Oak was a quarterfinalist in district 13-3A and in 2016 they were area finalists.

Nichols was named to the TGCA All-State 2A First-Team and the TSWA Second-Team after the 2014 season. She was also a First-Team All-District pitcher in 2014 and 2015. After her junior year, Nichols was the 2016 Offensive Player of the Year for District 13-3A as well as a TGCA All-Star team member. She has also been named to Academic All-District team.

A four-sport athlete at Lone Oak, Nichols was also a Regional Finalist and Area Finalist in the discus as well as a Second-Team All-District selection in basketball.

Nichols played four years of club softball for AXE Softball as well as two seasons with the Texas Glory 16U Naudin squad and two years with the Texas Glory 18U Shelton team. In 2016, her club team finished third in the 18U DeMarini Invitational, second in the USSSA Elite Championship, fifth in the 18U Co-Firework Super 48 and 13^th in the 18U-PGF Nationals.

Coach Poole's comments on Nichols
"Mariah is going to be a difference maker on the mound next year. She consistently plays with and against great athletes daily, and knows how tough that position is. She has a strong presence on the mound, knows how to get swings and misses, and also is power hitter at the plate. In addition to pitching, she has also played some first base. We are anxious to get her here and begin working with her.

Christie Runnels
5-6 | Utility
Terrytown, La. | Cabrini High School

Runnels will join the Memphis softball squad after competing at Cabrini High School. In 2016, Runnels helped lead her Cabrini squad to the 2016 State Championship where the Cresent finished runner-ups with a 27-7 overall record.

In 2016, Runnels garnered multiple athletic honors including All-State, All-Metro, and All-District accolades after finishing the season with a .547 batting average with nine home runs, 54 runs scored, and 39 RBIs. As a freshman and sophomore, she was named All-District.

In the second round of the 2016-4A playoffs, Runnels hit for the cycle and drove in five RBIs. She then followed that performance up with a triple and a home run and two RBIs in the 4A semifinals where her team won by a score of 2-1.

She was a member of the Louisiana Voodoo club team for five seasons and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Coach Poole's comments on Runnels
Christie is one of the toughest players I have seen. She is a fighter and a great team player. She plays the infield well, but I believe is the type of athlete I could put anywhere and she will produce. Offensively, I have seen her time and time again come up in clutch situations and come through with the offense her team needed. I look forward to adding her to our roster and seeing her grit on our field every day.

Delaney Smith
5-1 | Outfield
Dayton, Tenn. | Rhea County High School

Smith joins the Tigers out of Rhea County High School where she has been a letterwinner every season of her career. While at Rhea County, Smith helped lead her team to a pair of District 6-AAA Championships.

Throughout the last three years, Smith has earned multiple athletic accolades. She is a two-time District 6-AAA Defensive Player of the Year (freshman and junior seasons) as well as the District 6-AAA Most Valuable Player after her sophomore year. Smith is also a three-time All-District selection.

Several of her outstanding performances include a 4-for-4 effort from the plate with a triple, three stolen bases, and two runs scored against Ooltewah and an 8-for-8 showing with two doubles, a home run, eight stolen bases, and six runs scored in a doubleheader against Warren County. As a junior, she finished the season with a .623 batting average with 40 stolen bases and 81 total hits.

For her career at Rhea County, Smith is a .588 hitter with 210 hits, 147 runs scored, and a .989 fielding percentage. She is the individual record-holder for stolen bases at her high school.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Smith has been coined a Rhea County Academic Champion.

Coach Poole's comments on Smith
Delaney plays the outfield already with the level of maturity that I expect of my players here. She moves well, and has a great arm. Offensively, she is a momentum starter and is a clutch hitter. She has so many similarities to my current outfielders that are successful in the field and are everyday offensive contributors to our team, so I am excited about what we will be able to get from her right away.

Riley Walker
5-7 | Third Base
Mt. Juliet, Tenn. | Friendship Christian School

Walker joins the Tiger squad after leading her Friendship Christian team to a Division II Class A 2015 State Championship where her team came out of the loser's bracket to defeat King's Academy in back-to-back games. An All-Region and All-State selection throughout high school, Walker carries a .506 batting average.

As a freshman, she hit a Friendship Christian record 19 home runs. She also tallied five home runs in a two-day tournament while in high school. Walker comes into her senior season with 31 career home runs.

Walker has been a member of the TN Elite 99 club team the past two seasons with additional club experience with the TN Illusions 99 in 2014 and the Ballhawks in 2013. Her TN Elite 99 squad won the 2016 Triple Crown Southern Nationals in Atlanta with a 32-9 overall record. She was named the Most Valuable Player that season and in one game, recorded three home runs.

At Friendship Christian, Walker earned the award for Academic Excellence.

Coach Poole's comments on Walker
Riley has stood out to me from day one from an offensive standpoint. She is a powerful hitter and constantly comes through in pressure situations for her team. She is a great third baseman who moves well and defends the left side of the field the way it should be done. She has been a leader on the teams she has played for, and I look forward to her jumping right in and making a difference right away.

University of Memphis Athletics

Softball Announces Five Signees During The Early Signing Period

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