University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Jason Roberts
Poole Announces 2023 Commits on National Signing Day
Nov 10, 2021 | Softball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Head Memphis softball coach Natalie Poole has announced her signing class for the 2023 season with Kelsie Adams, Rylee Dugar and Neely Taylor.
Adams, a 5-9 infielder from Van Alstyne, Texas, comes to Memphis after four years at Van Alstyne High School.
"Kelsie is very athletic," said Poole. "She's mostly played the left side of the field, but she could help us in more than one position. She's got good range, footwork, and a great arm. At the plate, she can provide power for us."
Dugar, a 5-6 pitcher from Simi Valley, Calif., comes to Memphis with an impressive resume from high school and club play. For Royal High School, Dugar was named First Team All-League after leading her team to an 11-6 record with 102 strikeouts in 16 appearances last season.
For her club team, SoCal Choppers VC, Dugar pitched a 58-6 record and led the team to an astounding 74-16 record. In the PGF World Series, she pitched nine innings with 16 strikeouts and just five hits allowed against the Atlanta Vipers, the fourth ranked team in the nation.
"Rylee is a pitcher that changes speeds very well and does a great job of setting up hitters and keeping them off balance. She is very competitive and driven," said Poole.
Taylor, a 5-4 outfielder from just across the state line in Marion, Ark., commits to Memphis after an impressive career at St. Benedict at Auburndale High School. A three-sport athlete, Taylor lettered in softball, basketball and track & field. She led her softball team to a 3rdplace finish at the TSSAA Division II-AA in 2019 and 2021 and a 7th place finish at the TSSAA Division II-AA in the 4x100m relay for the track team in 2019.
Taylor currently holds a .489 career batting average after helping to lead her team to a 17-15 record last season where she hit .470 and had an OBA of .539.
She was named All-Region, All-Metro and Rookie of the Year for softball in 2019, All-Region, All-Metro, All-State in 2021 and was also named to the PGF All American Watch List in the same year. Taylor was also ranked 42nd in the 2022 Extra Innings Softball Extra Elite Top 100 Rankings.
"Neely brings great speed in the outfield and a big arm to match," said Poole. "She covers a lot of ground and plays with confidence. At the plate, she will bring versatility; she can bunt, slap and swing and will keep defenders off-balance and apply pressure on the bases."
"All three signees come from softball programs that compete at a national level. They play against great competition all year and these student-athletes will collectively bring speed, power, game intelligence, athleticism and competitiveness," said Poole. "There is a lot of passion and grit in this group, and we are excited that they chose to be a Memphis Tiger!"
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Softball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Adams, a 5-9 infielder from Van Alstyne, Texas, comes to Memphis after four years at Van Alstyne High School.
"Kelsie is very athletic," said Poole. "She's mostly played the left side of the field, but she could help us in more than one position. She's got good range, footwork, and a great arm. At the plate, she can provide power for us."
Dugar, a 5-6 pitcher from Simi Valley, Calif., comes to Memphis with an impressive resume from high school and club play. For Royal High School, Dugar was named First Team All-League after leading her team to an 11-6 record with 102 strikeouts in 16 appearances last season.
For her club team, SoCal Choppers VC, Dugar pitched a 58-6 record and led the team to an astounding 74-16 record. In the PGF World Series, she pitched nine innings with 16 strikeouts and just five hits allowed against the Atlanta Vipers, the fourth ranked team in the nation.
"Rylee is a pitcher that changes speeds very well and does a great job of setting up hitters and keeping them off balance. She is very competitive and driven," said Poole.
Taylor, a 5-4 outfielder from just across the state line in Marion, Ark., commits to Memphis after an impressive career at St. Benedict at Auburndale High School. A three-sport athlete, Taylor lettered in softball, basketball and track & field. She led her softball team to a 3rdplace finish at the TSSAA Division II-AA in 2019 and 2021 and a 7th place finish at the TSSAA Division II-AA in the 4x100m relay for the track team in 2019.
Taylor currently holds a .489 career batting average after helping to lead her team to a 17-15 record last season where she hit .470 and had an OBA of .539.
She was named All-Region, All-Metro and Rookie of the Year for softball in 2019, All-Region, All-Metro, All-State in 2021 and was also named to the PGF All American Watch List in the same year. Taylor was also ranked 42nd in the 2022 Extra Innings Softball Extra Elite Top 100 Rankings.
"Neely brings great speed in the outfield and a big arm to match," said Poole. "She covers a lot of ground and plays with confidence. At the plate, she will bring versatility; she can bunt, slap and swing and will keep defenders off-balance and apply pressure on the bases."
"All three signees come from softball programs that compete at a national level. They play against great competition all year and these student-athletes will collectively bring speed, power, game intelligence, athleticism and competitiveness," said Poole. "There is a lot of passion and grit in this group, and we are excited that they chose to be a Memphis Tiger!"
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Softball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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