Nov. 29, 2010

Signee Photo Gallery

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Two-time defending Conference USA Coach-of-the-Year and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Mideast Region Coaching-Staff-of-the-Year leader Tracey Kee announced Monday the addition of four freshmen to her roster for next year. Sarah Christian (Greenville, N.C.), Emma Mendoker (Amherst, Mass.), Sara Pacioni (Danville, Calif.), and Courtney Smith (Yuba City, Calif.) have signed national letters-of-intent to attend East Carolina and play softball with the Pirates beginning in the fall of 2011.

"I am so excited about our 2011 class," Kee said. "I feel we have signed a special group of student-athletes with wonderful families. They understand the importance of academics, giving back to the community and what it means to don the purple and gold.

"They are fierce competitors and relentless workers who will help carry on the winning tradition we have built here at East Carolina for years to come."

Sarah Christian, Pitcher, 5-5, Greenville, N.C. (D.H. Conley)
Christian, a three-year letterwinner for D.H. Conley was named the North Carolina 3A-East Pitcher-of-the-Year last spring. Christian positioned herself for the pitcher-of-the-year award by claiming the North Carolina 3A-District 1 Pitcher-of-the-Year honor as a sophomore. She has also been a three-time N.C. Softball Coaches Association 3A All-State, all-district and all-conference selection. A year ago, Christian posted a 19-4 record with 23 complete games and 12 shutouts while striking out 147. In addition to playing for the Vikings, Christian enhanced her softball experience by playing for numerous travel teams throughout the country. Last summer, she was a member of the Hawai'i Pearls, helping them to a 17th-place finish at the prestigious Fireworks Tournament in Aurora, Calif., and the Carolina Wildcats, guiding the team to 25th place at the ASA 18U Nationals. Christian has played for the Wildcats for three years and has also been a part of the Hawai'i Guava Jam, with current Pirate Kristi Oshiro, and Maryland's Wagners Gold.

Aside from her softball accomplishments, Christian has excelled in the classroom. She sports a 4.57 grade-point average and is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. She was included in the Who's Who Among American High School Students and serves as the student body vice president after being elected the president of her junior class a year ago.

Christian on Choosing East Carolina: "I chose ECU because I loved the school spirit, great softball program, proximity of the campus to my home and the friendly environment. Through softball, I have traveled to many places across the country and have realized how much I love Greenville and the ECU environment. I believe East Carolina will put me in a position to excel as a student-athlete. I am very excited to begin my four-year journey as a Pirate."

Kee on Christian: "We have watched Sarah grow up on the softball field right before our eyes. To witness her pitching maturity first hand over her career was a luxury. She is a fierce competitor, and a diligent worker. Her ability to make the right pitches at the right times, regardless of the pressure facing her, will benefit Sarah throughout her collegiate career. Time and time again, she put her team in a position to win; I have no doubt she'll do the same thing for our program."

Emma Mendoker, Pitcher, 5-8, Amherst, Mass. (Amherst Regional)
Mendoker is a two-year letterwinner at Amherst after moving from New Jersey, where she attended Chatham High School. She broke out as a junior by throwing six no-hitters, striking out 312 and allowing only 44 hits and 22 walks in her 165 innings pitched. She posted a 0.21 earned-run average and a 23-1 record while guiding the Hurricanes to the Western Massachusetts Division I title. Her lone loss was to Central Massachusetts champion Milford during the state playoffs. The Springfield Republican named Mendoker its Pitcher-of-the-Year and a first-team selection last spring. She was honored as the Hampshire Gazette Player-of-the-Day seven times throughout the course of the season and was a first-team pick at the end of the campaign. As a sophomore, she guided the Hurricanes to the state sectional finals, compiling a 16-5 record with five shutouts and one no-hitter. Her freshman season at Chatham, she was a New Jersey Star-Ledger Third-Team All-Area selection. During her three years among the high school ranks, she has recorded 702 strikeouts. Mendoker is also a threat offensively, as she hit .459 with five home runs, 17 runs batted in and 24 runs scored as a junior.

In July, she was named the most valuable player at the Bay State summer games, leading the West squad to the gold medal with a 2-1 victory over the Metro team. She fanned 11 and drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh to drive in the winning run. She also enhanced her softball skills playing for the Polar Crush Gold and taking part in two of the biggest summer softball tournaments, the ASA Gold Nationals and the Independence Day Tournament. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, she holds a 3.8 grade-point average and was selected for the high school's Effort in the Sciences award, Spanish 2 Effort award and Art Achievement award.

Mendoker on Choosing East Carolina: "Since I began playing softball, my main goal was to find a Division I school that would help me continue to grow to be the best softball player and student I could possibly become. Once I was introduced to ECU, I knew my dreams, and lifetime goals, would be fulfilled. It's an incredible university with one of the best softball programs in the country.

"The coaches are so welcoming. When I saw them practice with the girls, they had the intensity and the passion I knew would push me to my highest level as a player. When I went for my official visit, I had the opportunity to hang out with the girls and have a taste of what it would be like to live at East Carolina University. I easily fit in with the softball girls, and they truly made me feel like I was part of the Pirate family. I cannot wait for the years ahead."

Kee on Mendoker: "Emma is one of those student-athletes who becomes a completely different person when she steps on the mound. She's quiet and reserved off the field, intense and competitive with the ball in her hands. She's a proven winner who will challenge hitters pitch after pitch. Emma is relentless in her training. Her pure desire to be the absolute best pitcher she can be will pay huge dividends to our program and its future."

Sara Pacioni, Utility, 5-3, Danville, Calif. (San Ramon Valley)
Pacioni has started for the varsity squad at San Ramon Valley since her freshman season. A three-time East Bay Athletic League selection, she was elected a co-captain as a junior and will serve in the same role this spring. Pacioni was also a North Coast Selection and California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Scholar as a freshman and sophomore. In March of her sophomore year, she was named the Queen of the Mountain Tournament's top offensive player and was an all-tournament team selection. The Wolves were also honored with a North Coast Selection and CIF Distinguished Scholastic Team for 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons. Pacioni suited up for the San Ramon Valley soccer team as a freshman and earned a Winter Sports Scholar Athlete award. During the summer, she plays with the NorCal Shockers 18 Gold travel club.

Pacioni on Choosing East Carolina: "I chose ECU because the moment I stepped on campus, I felt at home. I knew the academic and athletic environments were exactly what I was looking for in a university. I was impressed with everything the school had to offer and couldn't imagine any other university that could top ECU."

East Carolina Associate Head Coach Natalie Kozlowski on Pacioni: "Sara is a true utility player in the sense that she can catch, play on the dirt or even make the move to the outfield. She has experience playing numerous positions at the ASA Gold level. At the plate she has a very good eye for the ball and will help solidify our offense. Sara is a very hard worker and we are excited to have her in a Pirate uniform."

Courtney Smith, Pitcher, 5-8, Yuba City, Calif. (River Valley)
Smith has been a three-year letterwinner for the Falcons, earning a trio of first-team all-area and All-Tri County League honors. The three-time team most valuable player has struck out at least 150 batters each year of her career and guided River Valley to its first playoff win in any sport last spring. She went 15-4 with a 0.70 ERA and fanned 198 batters during the year and was named to the Sacramento River Cats' All-City High School Team. She was also selected as the tournament MVP of the Cubs Classic. During the nation's top summer tournament in August, Smith led the CA Breeze 18Gold to a seventh-place finish at the ASA 18 Gold Nationals. Two years earlier, she guided the Breeze to the ASA Western National Championship.

Smith also has excelled in the classroom and community during her time at River Valley. An honor roll member all four years of high school, Smith was also a part of Gifted and Talented Education while at the middle school level. She has been an "Adopt a Family" volunteer since 2001, a "Toys for Tots" volunteer the last five years, a Little League volunteer instructor the last three years and a Beale Air Force Base Family Support Drive volunteer in 2007.

Smith on Choosing East Carolina: "ECU offers everything I desire in a university. It has a competitive, Division I softball team that is capable of going far. It also has a great support system to assist athletes in achieving and excelling academically.

"ECU has fantastic community support. I loved driving through town seeing the Pirate flags flying. I can't wait to be part of it. I am especially excited to play for Coach Kee and Coach Koz. They are proven on the field and very good people."

Kee on Smith: "Courtney's ability to compete game after game is a true sign of her eagerness to win. Her composure on the mound is very comforting. Her ability to put a team on her shoulders is quite evident. Courtney's continued commitment to her craft of pitching is going to help us continue our program's winning ways."