MOBILE, Ala. | South Alabama head coach Becky Clark announced the addition of nine players – Kooper Barnes (Roca, Neb.), Ashleia Coble (Columbia, Tenn.), Morgan Hall (Hockessin, Del.), Brea Holley (Pensacola, Fla.), Presley Lively (Helena, Ala.), Sydney Scapin (Pensacola, Fla.), Katie Schuler (Huntsville, Ala.), Ansleigh Smith (Ashford, Ala.) and Gracie Ward (Slocomb, Ala.) – to the fall recruiting class on Thursday. 

"This is one of our bigger classes and putting it together was a team effort.  (Senior Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator) Coach (Kristina) McCain and (Associate Head) Coach (Hannah) Campbell played a major role in the recruitment and retention of these student-athletes," Clark said. "All of these young ladies have tremendous character, are great students, and love to work and compete. They are all accomplished athletes who are only going to continue to grow and develop once in our program. I think our fans are going to love watching and supporting them throughout their career at South Alabama."

Kooper Barnes
6-0 | L-L | LHP
Roca, Neb. | Lincoln East HS | Building Champions Peppers

Barnes has lettered the last four seasons in softball at Lincoln East High School in Lincoln, Neb., where she has helped the Spartans to four-straight district championships and state tournament appearances, and a state runner up finish in 2021.

"Kooper is an athletic, left-handed pitcher with a big ceiling. Her work ethic, mentality, and physical build all add up to great things especially when she gets in our weight room and bullpen," Clark said. "She has great spin and works the ball in multiple planes. Mentally, she has a great presence on the mound and is not easily rattled. I am excited for her because she is already having success but there is still huge room for growth. She will prove to be a big addition to our team and has a chance to make an immediate impact."

Along with her time in the circle, the left-hander has also played at first base and in the outfield. Over the course of her prep career, Barnes has compiled a 130-39 record in the circle.

As a junior, Barnes posted a 30-9 record and struck out 156 batters in her 122 innings of work, while recording a 2.20 earned run average. Her 156 strike outs were fourth-most in a season at Lincoln East. She held batters to a .206 batting average and with runners in scoring position, limited the competition to a .192 average. Barnes also tossed six no-hitters during the 2023 season.

Barnes has also played travel ball for the Building Champions club team. In 2023, she struck out 113 batters in 88 innings of work, and struck out 230 batters in 180 innings in the circle during the summer of 2022.

Ashleia Coble
5-11 | R-R | RHP
Columbia, Tenn. | Zion Christian Academy | Alabama Sparks Elite

Coble joined the varsity team as an eighth grader at Zion Christian Academy in Columbia, Tenn., where she helped the Eagles capture back-to-back Tennessee State Independent Athletic Association state championships (2022 and '23). Since joining the varsity squad, Coble has posted 499 strikeouts in 268 innings of work in the circle, and has compiled 35 wins and a .455 batting average at the plate.

"Ashleia is a swing-and-miss right-handed pitcher who will continue to grow as she lifts and works in our bullpen on a consistent basis," Clark said. "A competitor on the mound, she attacks hitters with her spin and location. I love that she is a student of the game and driven to grow and learn. She has played a very competitive club schedule and will arrive on campus ready to compete. She is a true leader and great teammate who is going to be a solid addition to our pitching staff."

A threat both at the plate and in the circle for Zion Christian, Coble batted .429 in 35 games with 48 hits, 46 runs and 35 RBI. She recorded 23 extra-base hits – eight doubles, six triples and nine home runs – and 14 stolen bases. Coble also went 8-2 in the circle with a 2.18 earned run average, while striking out 140 batters in 74 innings of work.

As a sophomore during the 2022 season, Coble batted .472 with 42 hits, to go along with 45 runs scored and 40 RBI, and had 26 extra-base hits with 13 doubles, five triples and eight home runs. She went 11-1 in the circle with a 1.20 ERA, holding opponents to a .122 batting average and striking out 167 batters in 76 innings, the latter two stats both single-season marks at Zion Christian.

Coble also played basketball during her junior year, where she set single season records on the court in blocks (39) and rebounds (289) in just 24 games.

Played three years of travel ball with Alabama Sparks Elite where she compiled a 53-8 record in the circle and struck out 385 batters competing against elite competition.

Morgan Hall
5-6 | R-R | C
Hockessin, Del. | St. Mark's HS | Intensity Premier KOD

Hall – who has an average pop time of 1.7 seconds – has been ranked as a Top 100 player three times during her career by Extra Innings Softball, as she was ranked 17th at her position by the organization in 2022 and the 30th in 2021. She has also been ranked as one of the Top 5 catchers in the Northeast, as well as twice been named to the All-American Watch List by Premier Girls Fastpitch.

"Morgan is an incredibly solid catcher with a steady, consistent approach to the game," Clark noted. "She has an above average arm and understands the demands of her position. At the plate she will hit gap-to-gap with the ability to drive her share of balls out of the park. I think she will continue to grow as she gets in our program and weight room on a daily basis. Her mentality, grit, and work ethic are all intangibles that will give her a chance to compete for playing time right away."

Hall signed with the Jags after starting the past three seasons at St. Mark's High School in Hockessin, Del., where she was also named team captain. During her time with the Spartans, she has led them to conference titles as a junior and sophomore, while also three consecutive playoff appearances, where they advanced to the quarterfinals in 2023.

She has earned all-conference honors each of the last three seasons, while also earning second-team all-state honors at catcher as a freshman, and first-team accolades at the position as a junior, as well as receiving the DIAA Scholar Athlete Award that season.

Between her freshman-junior seasons, Hall has batted .425 with 73 hits, 32 doubles, four triples and six home runs, while catching 360 innings and throwing out 23 attempted base stealers for a 67 percent caught stealing rate.

Hall has played 10 years of travel ball, the last three with Intensity Premier based out of New Jersey. During her 18U play, she batted .325 and threw out 16 base runners attempting to steal for a 51 percent caught stealing rate. She also batted .385 at the 16U level and threw out 22 base runners attempting to steal for a 56 percent caught stealing rate.

She was also a four-year starter and team captain in field hockey at St. Marks.

Brea Holley
5-7 | R-R | C
Pensacola, Fla. | West Florida HS | So Cal Athletics

Like Scapin, Holley has lettered at West Florida High School in Pensacola, Fla., where she has helped the Jaguars to a pair of 4A District 1 Championships (2022 and 2021), along with a 4A Regional runner up finish in 2022.

"Brea is a catcher with a lot of grit and hustle. She is an above average blocker and has an above average arm as well," Clark said. "Offensively, she is a gap-to-gap hitter and uses the middle of the field to her advantage. Her drive, toughness, and work ethic are some of the things that drew me to her. She will continue to improve offensively and defensively as she gets stronger and more physical. She is a great teammate and is committed to continually improving herself."

Holley holds the program record for runners caught stealing with 23 over the last three seasons. She is also the school record holder for most runners caught stealing in one season with 12.

In 2023, Holley was named first-team all-area by the Pensacola News Journal and was named the team MVP. Her .486 batting average ranked in the Top 30 in Class 4A and her .716 slugging percentage was 33rd best. She had a 13-game hitting streak to end the season.

Her sophomore season, she threw out 12 of the 14 runners attempting to steal and committed just two errors in 351 defensive opportunities.

Holley played travel ball for So Cal Athletics based out of Marietta, Calif.

Presley Lively
5-4 | L-L | OF
Helena, Ala. | Helena HS | Alabama Sparks Elite

Lively – a two-sport athlete at Helena High School in Helena, Ala. – helped lead the Huskies to three-straight area championships, as well as three-straight 6A tournament appearances, including a Final Four appearance (2021) and a runner up finish (2022) at the tournament.

"Presley is an outfielder with great instincts and tremendous athletic ability," Clark said. "She is currently playing centerfield and can play any of the outfield positions. Offensively, she has tremendous tools with a combination of above average speed and power. She has the ability to slap, hit, and use the short game. She loves the game and shows up to compete every day. Her compete mentality, work ethic, and overall toughness are intangibles that will have an immediate impact on our program. I am excited to see her growth and production once she gets in our system on a daily basis."

For her career, Lively holds a .480 batting average with 159 hits, 137 runs scored and 107 stolen bases for the Huskies.

Following the 2023 season, she was named Class 6A First-Team All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, AL.com Birmingham Region Softball Terrific 20, as well as the Shelby County Hitter of the Year. Lively was also selected to compete for the North Team at the 27th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star softball competition last summer.

Lively was named the Shelby County hitter of the year after batting a region-best .535, while she was second-best in the region with 65 runs scored, 76 hits, 31 RBI, seven doubles, five triples and two home runs. The outfielder also was a region-best 67-of-71 in her stolen base opportunities, while posting a .602 on-base and a 1.300 OPS.

She set the single-season marks in stolen bases and runs scored in 2023, as well as the career stolen base mark at Helena. Lively also holds the career digs mark for the Huskies with 1,438.

As a sophomore, Lively was a second-team all-state selection and the AL.com Birmingham Region Softball Terrific 20, while being ranked No. 26 nationally by Extra Innings Softball. She batted .476 with 69 hits in 145 at-bats, and scored 52 runs that season with 17 RBI, five doubles, seven triples and a home run, and had 27 stolen bases.

Lively has played travel ball with the Alabama Sparks Elite (2017-23) and since 2021, she has compiled a .476 batting average with 210 hits, 232 runs scored, 90 RBI, 10 home runs and 131 stolen bases competing against top competition. She has helped Alabama Elite capture several Top-10 finishes.

Lively also received recruiting interest from Maryland and Florida Atlantic. Her sister, Katie, played at Troy (2019-22) where she was an all-SBC selection as.

Sydney Scapin
5-7 | R-R | RHP
Pensacola, Fla. | West Florida High School | So Cal Athletics

Scapin has lettered at West Florida High School in Pensacola, Fla., where she has helped the Jaguars to a pair of 4A District 1 Championships (2022 and 2021), along with a 4A Regional runner up finish in 2022.

"Syd is a great fit for South Alabama Softball and has a huge future in our program," Clark said. "She is a swing-and-miss, right-handed pitcher who has already had a tremendous amount of success and is just going to continue to get better as she gains strength and experience. She has great spin and an above average change of speed that keeps hitters off balance. She has a tremendous work ethic, character, and is a great teammate. I anticipate her making an immediate impact on the program."

During the 2023 season, Scapin went 7-2 in the circle in her 18 appearances where she posted a 1.55 earned run average and struck out 205 batters in 85.2 innings of work. She allowed just 32 hits to the 357 batters faced and held opponents to a .108 batting average. Scapin also represented Greece in the Senior Women's division in the Canada Cup during the summer.

As a sophomore at WFHS in 2022, Scapin was named MaxPreps Underclass All-American First Team, which highlighted the top 32 freshman and sophomores in the United States, as well as the Pensacola News Journal Co-Pitcher of the Year. She posted an outstanding 1.05 earned run average, struck out 331 in 153 innings of work, and held opponents to a .101 batting average, while recording a pair of no-hitters. Scapin had 19 games of double-digit strikeouts. She had 22 strikeouts in a 10-inning 1-0 victory over Gulf Breeze HS that season and struck out 27 in 10.2 innings of work vs. Tate HS. Scapin pitched 16.1 innings and struck out 37 in a 4-3 playoff victory over Bishop Kenny HS as she helped the Jags advance to the Class 4A Regional Final. Along with her 37 strikeouts, she registered a two-run double to tie the game (3-3) and then scored the game-winning run. She struck out 17 in a seven-inning, no-hit victory over Arnold HS and also tossed a no-hitter in a 1-0 victory over Choctawhatchee HS.

At the plate, she batted .362 / .531 SLG / .926 OPS with 11 doubles and 20 runs scored, and was a member of Team Greece during the Triple Crown International Challenge (Denver, Colo.) in late June

During the 2021 season, Scapin earned first-team all-state honors after going 9-5 with an 0.95 ERA. She struck out 200 in 103.1 innings allowing just 14 earned runs and held opponents to a .126 batting average. Scapin struck out 18 in a seven-inning, complete-game, one-hitter vs. Baker County HS, and had 10 other outings with 10 or more strikeouts. She held opponents to two or fewer hits in nine of her starts, and tossed a pair of no-hitters. She struck out 15 and nearly recorded a perfect game in a 12-0, five-inning victory over Pensacola Catholic.

Scapin played travel ball for So Cal Athletics and received interest from Mississippi State, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida State.

Katie Schuler
5-6 | R-R | INF/UTL
Huntsville, Ala. | Huntsville HS | Alabama Sparks Elite

Schuler began playing with the varsity club at Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Ala., as an eighth grader. Over the course of her career, the two-time 7A all-state selection holds a .435 batting average with 38 home runs – which is a program record – and has driven in 151 runs.

"Katie is one of the best overall hitters coming out of our state in the 2024 class. She can hit for both average and power and will be an RBI producer for us. She is currently playing third base, but has the tools and athleticism to compete for playing time at multiple infield positions once she gets on campus. Her work ethic, character, and toughness make her a great fit for our program. I anticipate her making an immediate impact and having a great career at South Alabama."

As a junior, Schuler was a Class 7A Second-Team All-State selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, and was named the Panthers' Offensive Player of the Year. She set the single-season record at HHS with 16 home runs that same season.

During the 2021 season, Schuler earned first-team 7A all-state honors from the ASWA at the designated player position. In 51 games, she batted .453 with 67 hits, and scored 38 runs, while driving in 54. Of her 67 hits, 32 went for extra bases as she had 14 doubles, four triples and 14 home runs.

Schuler has also played six years of travel ball with the Alabama Sparks Elite where she has helped the club to tournament titles at the Colorado Sparkler and Alliance Fastpitch Elite 8 (2022), and the OKC Challenge championship in 2023 and 2021. She also received recruiting interest from Virginia and Kentucky.

Ansleigh Smith
5-6 | R-R | C/UTL
Ashford, Ala. | Houston Academy | Georgia Impact Premier

Smith has been a member of varsity club since eighth grade at Houston Academy in Ashford, Ala., where she holds a .415 batting average over that stretch, recording 199 hits, 137 runs scored, 124 RBI, 27 doubles, 11 triples. Defensively, she holds a .987 fielding percentage, and has caught 47 runners stealing and picked off 21 runners – both of which are program records. She also holds the single-season record for the two categories at Houston Academy.

"I love the way Ansleigh plays the game. She commits to all of the little things that add up to big moments," Clark said. "One of her biggest strengths is her softball IQ and ability to stay one step ahead mentally. She loves the game and shows up and goes hard every day. Offensively, she will work gap-to-gap with the ability to drive the ball out of the park when she squares it up. I am excited to see her growth and production once she gets in our system on a consistent basis."

As a junior, Smith helped the Raiders (47-9) to a runner-up finish at the 4A state tournament where she was named to the AHSAA all-tournament team. She was also a Class 4A honorable mention all-state selection by the ASWA, where in 55 games she batted .430 and had a .609 slugging percentage. Smith recorded 65 hits, 44 runs scored and 64 RBI, and had 22 extra-base hits with 17 doubles and five triples. Smith posted 19 multi-hit games during the season and she also stole 16 bases, while committing just one error in 381 total defensive chances for a .997 fielding percentage.

During the 2022 season, Smith led Houston Academy (48-13-1) to Class 3A state title – the program's first championship – and batted .343 with 46 hits, 23 runs scored and 33 RBI. As a freshman, she batted .456 with 78 hits in 171 at-bats. Smith also scored 53 runs and drove in 32 to go along with her 13 doubles and four triples during the 2021. The 78 hits that season were a new single-season record for the Raiders.

Gracie Ward
5-6 | L-R | OF
Slocomb, Ala. | Slocomb HS | Southern Steal

Ward has been a member of the varsity team at Slocomb High School in Slocomb, Ala., since seventh grade where she has been a three-time all-state selection. During that time, Ward has produced a .411/.511/.778 slash line, 25 home runs and 150 RBI.

"Gracie plays the game with all-out effort," Clark noted. "She can play multiple positions, but will most likely play corner outfield for us. She has great tools and will really develop once she gets with us on a consistent basis. She has an above average arm and great speed which allows her to cover a lot of ground. She will also give us another left-handed bat with both speed and power. She is at her best when she is working the other way and allowing her barrel to work. The plus is the ball goes a long way when she squares it up. I love that she is a genuinely great person and teammate, and makes those around her better."

As a junior, Ward hit .463 to go along with a .564 on-base percentage, a .887 slugging percentage and a 1.458 OPS. She scored 31 runs, hit six home runs and drove in 37, while earning 4A Second-Team All-State selection by Alabama Sports Writers Association. She was also selected to compete for the South Team at the 27th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star softball competition, and was an honorable mention selection on the Dothan Eagle Super 12.
 
During the 2022 season, Ward was a 3A second-team all-state selection as a utility player and was named to the Dothan Eagle Super 12. Ward earned honorable mention all-state honors in 2021 and was an honorable mention selection to the Dothan Eagle Super 12.

She played one year of travel ball with Southern Steal where in 42 games, she batted .447 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, 35 runs scored and 21 stolen bases.

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