WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State coach Brady Tigert announced the addition of five signees for the 2013 season Thursday afternoon.
 
The class features pitcher Kat Batey, infielders Shelby Carter and Allison Piro, outfielder Haley Howerton and utility player Chelsey Wall.
 
"This is a very athletic class with tons of talent," MSU coach Brady Tigert said. "We're ready to get them and work with them already."
 
The Mustangs are coming off their first NCAA Division II World Series appearance and have claimed more wins (108) over the past two seasons than any NCAA team in the nation.
 
"These are the type of kids that will sustain what we've built with the program." Tigert said.
 
Batey led Plano Senior High to a UIL Texas Class 5A semifinalist showing in her first season as the Wildcats' ace as a junior in 2011. She posted a 38-5 mark with a 1.88 ERA with 216 strikeouts and seven shutouts while earning NFCA first-team All-Region, TGCA and TSWA All-State, Dallas Morning News All-Area and District 8-5A MVP honors.
 
"Kat is a power pitcher who should be the backbone of our staff," Tigert said. "She has the stuff to keep us in all of our games."
 
Carter powered Celina High School to a state championship clubbing five homers in 10 postseason games last spring including a walk-off blast in a 4-3 win over Huntington in the state semifinals.
 
Carter was tabbed TSWA Class 3A and Dallas Morning News Player of the Year in addition to earning Max Prep All American and TGCA/TSWA All-State accolades after hitting .541 with 22 doubles, four triples, 13 homers and 65 RBIs in 2011.
 
"We look forward to having Shelby as the backbone of our defense," Tigert said. "She is a great hitter and an even better athlete."
 
Piro was key part of the order for Tomball High School's Region II-5A finalist squad which finished with a 34-6 record and was once ranked No. 3 in Texas and No. 15 national according to ESPN Rise.
 
"Allie could be one of the best hitters to come through our program," Tigert said.
 
Howerton is a three-time all-district performer in the outfield at Lewisville High School.
 
"Haley is very competitive," Tigert said. "She can slap, bunt or hit away. She will steal many bases and put a lot of pressure on the defense."
 
Wall is a versatile defender who has flashed offensive ability while helping Keller High School to three district titles and a regional finalist showing in 2011.
 
"Chelsey can play anywhere and is a very good hitter," Tigert said. "We will use her in that role."
 
Midwestern State leads off its 2012 season at the Ouachita Baptist Tournament in Arkadelphia, Ark. on Feb. 3-5.

 

Player	Pos.	Ht.	Class	Hometown/High School
Kat Batey	P	5-5	Fr.	Plano, Texas / Plano SH
Shelby Carter	IF	5-7	Fr.	Weston, Texas / Celina HS
Haley Howerton	OF	5-2	Fr.	Lewisville, Texas / Lewisville HS
Allison Piro	IF	5-6	Fr.	Tomball, Texas / Tomball HS
Chelsey Wall	UT	5-9	Fr.	Keller, Texas / Keller HS

Kat Batey

Notables: led Plano Senior High to a UIL Texas Class 5A State semifinalist showing in first season as the Wildcats ace as a junior in 2011... posted 38-5 record and 1.88 ERA with 216 strikeouts and seven shutouts while earning NFCA first-team All-Region, TGCA All-State, TSWA All-State, Dallas Morning News All-Area and District 8-5A MVP honors.... also named a second-team All American by Max Preps, a junior class Max Preps All America pick and ESPN-Rise second-team All American... pitched Wildcats to an undefeated district title and led the team in RBIs... also produced at the dish hitting .323 with 13 doubles, 5 homers and 40 RBIs in 2011... plays third base at Plano Senior High when not in the circle... earned District 8-5A first-team accolades and was the league's Utility Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2010... a second-team all-district pick as a freshman in 2009... helped Plano Senior High to a regional final appearance in 2010 and a district championship in 2009... a three-year letterwinner for coach Cynthia Zea at Plano Senior High... played club ball with Fort Worth BatBusters for coaches Ken Graves, Doug Card and Noble Hansard... daughter of Rick and Laura Batey of Plano, Texas... plans to major in exercise physiology...

What coach Tigert said: "Kat is a power pitcher who should be the backbone of our staff. She possesses the capability to keep us in all of our games."

Shelby Carter

Notables: named TSWA State Class 3A and Dallas Morning News Player of the Year after leading Celina High School to a 36-6-3 record and a Texas Class 3A state championship as a junior in 2011... named State Tournament MVP after clubbing five homers in 10 postseason games including a walk-off shot in a 4-3 win over Huntington in the state semifinals... boasted a .541 batting average with 22 doubles, 4 triples, 13 homers and 65 RBIs in 2011 as she was also named a Max Preps All American, TGCA and TSWA All-State selection and earned 10-3A District MVP honors... helped Bobcats to the regional finals as a sophomore in 2010 hitting .490 with 10 doubles, 10 triples, 5 homers and 53 RBIs... named 9-3A Defensive MVP, earned TGCA second-team All-State honors and was a TSWA all-state honorable mention... part of CHS' state runner-up squad as a freshman in 2009 hitting .402 with 12 doubles, 4 triples, 3 homers and 45 RBIs... earned All-District 9-3A honors and named to state all-tournament team as a frosh at second base... a three-year letter winner for coach Billy Coleman at Celina High School... earned CHS Academic Excellence Award as a freshman and junior and CHS' Award for Science during 2008-09 school year... played for Texas Glory Club Team since age 9 including three years of 18U Gold ball under coaches Kevin Shelton, Tracy Beard, David Carter and Kyle Strickland... helped Glory to the 2009 Gold Nationals and to 9th-place finishes at the 18U Premier Girls Fastpitch tournament in 2010 and 2011...daughter of David and Heather Carter of Weston, Texas...

What coach Tigert said: "We look forward to having Shelby as the backbone of our defense. She is a great hitter and an even better athlete."

Haley Howerton

Notables: a three-year starter in the outfield for coach Lori Alexander at Lewisville (Texas) High School... earned All-District 8-5A first-team honors and named Team MVP after hitting .400 as a junior in 2011... an All-6-5A first-team pick after hitting .375 in sophomore season of 2010... also first-team all-district accolades hitting .450 as a freshman in 2009... earned Fantastic Farmer Award and was once named LHS Student of the Month... competes in club ball for Texas Rapid Fire for coaches Brian Menefee, Kent Wittenauer and Chris Mosley... helped Rapid Fire to a Top 16 finish at the Premiere Nationals in Huntington Beach, Calif... daughter of Kit and April Howerton of Lewisville, Texas...

What coach Tigert said: "Haley is ultra competitive. She can slap, bunt or swing away. Haley will steal many bases and put a lot of pressure on the defense."

Allison Piro

Notables: key contributor earning All-District 13-5A second-team honors as a junior in 2011... helped Tomball High School to a Region II-5A final appearances battling national No. 1 The Woodlands to three games finishing the season with a 34-6 mark... member of Lady Cougars squad that ranked No. 3 in Texas and 15th nationally according to ESPN Rise... part of THS' 2010 state tournament team... played for coach Benita Dunleavy at Tomball High... competed at the club level for Impact Gold out of Spring, Texas from 2009-12 under the tutelege of coach K.C. Jackson.. Impact Gold placed second at ESPN Rise Nationals in 2010 and was third in the ASA Gold Nationals in 2011... daughter of Joe and Michelle Piro of Tomball, Texas...

What coach Tigert said: "Allie could be one of the best hitters to come through our program."

Chelsey Wall

Notables: a three-year letter winner for coaches Lindsay Strong and Montana Patin at Keller (Texas) High School... helped Indians to three-straight district titles advancing to the regional finals in 2011 and to the regional quarterfinals in 2009... a three-time academic all-district performer... versatile defender plays each infield position and catcher... a member of the National Honor Society and Health Occupation Students of America (secretary)... competed on the club level for coach Alyson Trout on American Freedom Gold... daughter of Andrew Wall and Cynthia Smith of Keller, Texas...

What coach Tigert said: "Chelsey can play anywhere is a very good hitter. We will use her in that role."