Pitcher makes college decision, chooses Belmont Abbey
Special to the R&L
Flanked by her family and coaches, South Iredell senior Kelsey Spangler signs her letter of intent to pitch at Belmont Abbey.
By Brad Norman Statesville R&L
Published: November 25, 2009
Kelsey Spangler can rest easy.
The South Iredell senior has secured her softball future by officially signing with Belmont Abbey College.
"I'm so excited to have signed my letter and be completely decided," Spangler said. "I knew it wasn't going to be easy because I'm a pretty indecisive person, and I also had a good bit of offers from other schools."
Spangler has lowered her ERA and upped her strikeouts every season with the Vikings.
She's been the main pitcher since her freshman season and pitched a no-hitter in one of the first starts of her career.
"It's pretty obvious to see where she was four years ago to where she is now," Vikings coach Josh Bumgarner said. "The amount of work and effort she has put in has been tremendous."
Bumgarner and Spangler both also gave credit to area pitching coach Sharon Bailey.
Spangler has worked with Bailey since she was 9 years old.
"She literally taught me everything I know," Spangler said. "I never went to anyone else. That's what got me to where I am today."
Flanked by her family and coaches, South Iredell senior Kelsey Spangler signs her letter of intent to pitch at Belmont Abbey.
By Brad Norman Statesville R&L
Published: November 25, 2009
Kelsey Spangler can rest easy.
The South Iredell senior has secured her softball future by officially signing with Belmont Abbey College.
"I'm so excited to have signed my letter and be completely decided," Spangler said. "I knew it wasn't going to be easy because I'm a pretty indecisive person, and I also had a good bit of offers from other schools."
Spangler has lowered her ERA and upped her strikeouts every season with the Vikings.
She's been the main pitcher since her freshman season and pitched a no-hitter in one of the first starts of her career.
"It's pretty obvious to see where she was four years ago to where she is now," Vikings coach Josh Bumgarner said. "The amount of work and effort she has put in has been tremendous."
Bumgarner and Spangler both also gave credit to area pitching coach Sharon Bailey.
Spangler has worked with Bailey since she was 9 years old.
"She literally taught me everything I know," Spangler said. "I never went to anyone else. That's what got me to where I am today."
November 24, 2009
Softball Adds Kinsey McClure and Kelsey Spangler For 2011 Season
Belmont Abbey softball coach Ellie Hanover has announced the signings of Kinsey McClure and Kelsey Spangler to National Letters of Intent. The pair will begin their Abbey careers in 2011. McClure is a first baseman from North Gaston High School in Dallas, North Carolina, while Spangler is a pitcher/rightfielder from South Iredell High School in Mooresville, North Carolina.
McClure is a four-year starter at first base for North Gaston, where she has led the Lady Wildcats in batting average, runs batted in and home runs. She received the best offensive player award as a sophomore and team MVP honors as a junior. She earned all-conference honors twice. She has played travel softball since the age of 12 and currently plays for the Foothills Heat 18 and under team. A two-sport athlete, McClure also starred on the Lady Wildcats volleyball team.
“I am so pleased that Kinsey has chosen The Abbey,” Hanover said. “She is going to be a great asset to our team. She's a pure left handed first baseman who hits for power. She will fill the big shoes of Tara Ruebel and Megan Mullis, our two senior first basemen. I am confident that Kinsey is the right lady for this job. She has a lot of experience at the travel ball level and plays for a great team as well as a great coach (Barry Latham). She has an enthusiastic personality, comes from a wonderful family, and will do well in the classroom here.”
An outstanding student, McClure has maintained a minimum 4.0 GPA throughout high school. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Beta Club and the Health Occupations Students of America. She plans to major in biology.
Spangler is an all-conference selection at South Iredell, where she has been a pitcher on the varsity for three seasons. She has played travel softball since the age of nine and currently plays for the 18-under North Carolina Lady Titans, which she led to the NSA World Series four times. Along with her softball accolades, Spangler is also a member of the volleyball and tennis teams.
“From the moment Kelsey and I started communicating with one another, we just clicked,” Hanover said. “She is such a committed and persistent young lady and would be an asset to any program. We are glad that she will be part of the Abbey family next year. Not only is Kelsey an effective pitcher, but we will be able to utilize her in other positions on the field as well. She’s a contact hitter from the left side of the plate and can also slap. All in all, Kelsey is a total package player and will excel academically here. She has so much to offer and we are excited to have her join us next fall.”
An accomplished student, Spangler is ranked fourth in her class of 251 and carries a 4.6 GPA. She is a two-time North Carolina Scholar-Athlete and is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and the Beta Club.
Softball Adds Kinsey McClure and Kelsey Spangler For 2011 Season
Belmont Abbey softball coach Ellie Hanover has announced the signings of Kinsey McClure and Kelsey Spangler to National Letters of Intent. The pair will begin their Abbey careers in 2011. McClure is a first baseman from North Gaston High School in Dallas, North Carolina, while Spangler is a pitcher/rightfielder from South Iredell High School in Mooresville, North Carolina.
McClure is a four-year starter at first base for North Gaston, where she has led the Lady Wildcats in batting average, runs batted in and home runs. She received the best offensive player award as a sophomore and team MVP honors as a junior. She earned all-conference honors twice. She has played travel softball since the age of 12 and currently plays for the Foothills Heat 18 and under team. A two-sport athlete, McClure also starred on the Lady Wildcats volleyball team.
“I am so pleased that Kinsey has chosen The Abbey,” Hanover said. “She is going to be a great asset to our team. She's a pure left handed first baseman who hits for power. She will fill the big shoes of Tara Ruebel and Megan Mullis, our two senior first basemen. I am confident that Kinsey is the right lady for this job. She has a lot of experience at the travel ball level and plays for a great team as well as a great coach (Barry Latham). She has an enthusiastic personality, comes from a wonderful family, and will do well in the classroom here.”
An outstanding student, McClure has maintained a minimum 4.0 GPA throughout high school. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Beta Club and the Health Occupations Students of America. She plans to major in biology.
Spangler is an all-conference selection at South Iredell, where she has been a pitcher on the varsity for three seasons. She has played travel softball since the age of nine and currently plays for the 18-under North Carolina Lady Titans, which she led to the NSA World Series four times. Along with her softball accolades, Spangler is also a member of the volleyball and tennis teams.
“From the moment Kelsey and I started communicating with one another, we just clicked,” Hanover said. “She is such a committed and persistent young lady and would be an asset to any program. We are glad that she will be part of the Abbey family next year. Not only is Kelsey an effective pitcher, but we will be able to utilize her in other positions on the field as well. She’s a contact hitter from the left side of the plate and can also slap. All in all, Kelsey is a total package player and will excel academically here. She has so much to offer and we are excited to have her join us next fall.”
An accomplished student, Spangler is ranked fourth in her class of 251 and carries a 4.6 GPA. She is a two-time North Carolina Scholar-Athlete and is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and the Beta Club.
