The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team signed seven players to their future roster during the early signing period, head coach Kyle Lem announced on Monday.
“We have addressed several needs in this early signing period. All of these young ladies are blessed with amazing athletic ability,” said Lem. “They also have those intangible factors that should allow them to mold with our team and further enhance the culture of UAM softball. I feel like they could be special class.”
Bailey Camp – 3B/UTL
Hometown: Perryville, Arkansas
High School: Perryville High School
Camp is a three time All-District and two time All State performer. She was also a member of the All-Arkansas Preps Sophomore Team and River Valley All-Conference Team. As a junior, she hit for a .683 average with 13 doubles and nine triples while driving in 28 runs. She also swiped 42 bases while having a .986 fielding percentage. Bailey is also an outstanding student who is a three-year member of the All “A” Honor Roll. She plays travel ball for Tulsa Elite Cain.
Why I chose UAM: “UAM Felt like home. I wanted to play somewhere that the coach wanted me as a player as much as I wanted to be there to play.”
Lem on Bailey: “Bailey is a crafty player with all the tools needed to make an immediate impact on our team. She has a full toolkit as a slapper who can drive in runs when needed. She also outstanding on the base paths. I have watched her grow not only as a player but as a person this last year and I couldn’t be happier to have her as a Blossom.”
Madison Chalenburg – P/UTL
Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas
High School: City View High School
Chalenburg was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Team last season. She has also notched All-District Newcomer, All-District Pitcher of the Year and All-District Offensive MVP honors. The Texas Sportswriters Diamond Dozen member also has multiple letters in varsity track and powerlifting. Chalenburg hit for a .622 average last season while swiping 35 bases. In the circle she recorded 14 wins with a 1.70 ERA in 129 innings while striking out 174. The All “A” Honor Roll member plays travel ball for Easton Prodigy.
Why I chose UAM: “I chose UAM because it felt like home to me. As soon as I walked on campus, I knew that it was where I wanted to be. I felt accepted by everyone and it is where I thought I could spend the next four years happily.”
Lem on Madison: “Maddie is a player who we are looking to provide us a boost in the circle as well as the field. She has a great mix of speed and movement. She is a super athlete who is also an accomplished powerlifter. Her elite speed from the left side and will provide us an immediate threat on the base paths.”
Kambell Coker – 1B/3B
Hometown: Rockwall, Texas
High School: Rockwall High School
Coker hit .474 last season at Rockwall while logging a .630 OBP%. She plays her travel ball for Extra Innings 18u Gold.
Why UAM: “I chose UAM because it has a small-town feel. I love the people that are there and the coaching staff is absolutely outstanding. I can’t wait to be at UAM!”
Lem on Kambell: “Kambell is an outstanding young lady with all the intangibles we look have in our program. She is a strong player who has continued to develop this last year and will provide some power at the plate. She is full of potential!”
Christa Lannon – OF/MI
Hometown: Farmersville, Texas
High School: Farmersville High School
Lannon is a two-time All-District player. She was also recognized as the District Offensive Player of the Year last season when she hit .427 for the season. She plays travel ball for Texas Glory-02.
Why UAM: “UAM has the small-town charm and is full of endless opportunities.”
Lem on Christa: “Christa is a player that I saw during the summer before her junior season and we lost touch until the following January at our camp. She immediately stood out with her ability to swing the bat. She is very athletic and could fill many roles at UAM. She was the first commit in this class, and I couldn’t be happier to have her as a part of our family.”
Madison Gardiner – C
Hometown: Lorena, Texas
High School: Lorena High School
Gardiner was the Defensive Player of the Year last season while hitting .431 with 4 HR’s. She plays travel for Extra Innings 18u Gold.
Why UAM: “Although it is a pretty far drive, I chose UAM because it felt like home to me. Coach Lem invested a lot of time getting to know me and checked up on me frequently on how I was doing. I could tell how much he cared for me and I knew I wanted to play for him. I can wait to spend the next 4 years of my life at UAM.”
Lem on Madison: “Bird’ is a leader in every sense of the word behind the plate. She is a plus defender with a quick and accurate arm. Very consistent in the box and athletic on the bases. She checks all the boxes when you are looking for a leader behind the plate.”
Madison Morrissey – OF
Hometown: North Little Rock, Arkansas
High School: North Little Rock High School
Morrissey is a speedy outfielder who spent most of last season recovering injury. She did rebound with Tulsa Elite Cain this summer to hit .441. She also has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and Beta Club.
Lem on Madison: “Madison is another speedy player who just works. She has handled several serious injuries over her career and continues to come back even better. Her work ethic is one of the most impressive things I have seen. Her speed and versatility will help tremendously, but I think her determination and grit might be even more infectious.”
Grace Neal: 3B/UTL
Hometown: Cabot, Arkansas
High School: Cabot High School
Neal is a two-sport athlete who was a key component in Cabot’s run to a 6-A State Championship last season. She is three-time All-Conference player who also a member of the All-State Team last season. She was her teams Offensive Player of the Year after hitting .474 with 12 HR’s and 47 RBI’s.
Why UAM: “I chose UAM because it feels like home. It is everything I ever dreamed about, and the family feels is so welcoming. I can’t wait to play ball for Coach Lem and be able to represent the UAM name.”
Lem on Grace: “Grace has smooth, natural power that should translate well at our level. She is a fierce competitor who has won on the biggest stage in Arkansas. We look for her power to make an immediate impact for us.”
