WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State coach Brady Tigert announced the signings of a junior college transfer and three prep standouts to National Letters of Intent to join the softball program for the 2014 season.
 
"This is a talented group that will impact our program for many years to come," MSU coach Brady Tigert said.
 
The class includes All-NJCAA Region 5 North standout Katy Vandewater joined by Taylor Bermudes of Bellaire High, Erin Knox of West High and Iowa Park's Baylee Voigt.
 
Vandewater hit .372 with 12 doubles, a triple and nine home runs while knocking in 45 runs as a freshman at Weatherford College last spring. She earned all-district accolades in each of her four prep seasons spending the first two at Haltom High before helping O'Connor High to a Class 5A state finalist appearance in 2011 twice earning All-San Antonio Super Team mention.
 
"I believe Katy will be one of the most talented athletes I've worked with," Tigert said of the shortstop/third baseman. "She will be tremendous in our conference as well as a go-to girl on our team."
 
Bermudes earned All-Greater Houston second-team honors and was a District 20-5A first-team selection in 2012 with the ability to play multiple positions. She hit .375 with 13 doubles, three triples with a home run and 21 RBIs last summer with the Texas Magic.
 
"Taylor is a talented athlete," Tigert said. "She is very versatile and has the ability to contribute in numerous roles."
 
Knox has shown the ability to make great contributions in the circle and at the plate in her first three seasons at Class 3A powerhouse West (Texas) High School. She earned District 8-3A Offensive Player of the Year accolades as a sophomore in 2011 then earned Pitcher of the Year honors as a junior 2012.
 
Knox is a two-time all-state performer who posted a 23-5 mark in the circle last season. The Trojans are 96-24-1 over the past three seasons advancing to the Class 3A finals in 2010 and 2011 before returning to the semifinals in 2012.
 
"Erin could be the leader of our pitching staff," Tigert said. "She has the potential to be one of the top pitching talents in the Lone Star Conference."
 
Voigt has definitely made a name for herself as a local talent at Iowa Park High School where she has helped the Hawks to two-straight Area titles while earning District 6-3A Catcher of the Year honors in each of the last two seasons.
 
As a two-time Times Record News Diamond Dozen selection, Voigt led the North Texas area with 10 home runs while driving in 45 runs in 2012.
 
"We're looking forward to having Baylee as an impact offensive player for us," Tigert said. "She is also very talented defensively with the ability to play multiple positions."
 
Midwestern State boasts seven NCAA Division II postseason appearances since re-establishing the program in 2004. The Mustangs claimed a regional championship in 2010 before advancing to the College World Series in 2011.
 
  
    

Player	Pos.	Ht.	Class	B/T	Hometown/High School (Previous)
Taylor Bermudes	IF/OF	5-4	Fr.	R/R	Houston, Texas / Bellaire HS
Erin Knox	P	5-7	Fr.	R/R	West, Texas / West HS
Katy Vandewater	SS/3B	5-11	Jr.	R/R	Arlington, Texas / O'Connor HS (Weatheford College)
Baylee Voigt	C/OF	5-7	Fr.	R/R	Wichita Falls, Texas / Iowa Park HS

   
Taylor Bermudes
5-4 | Houston, Texas | Bellaire High School

Notables: a three-year letter winner for coach Brien Tuffly at Bellaire (Texas) High School… an All-District 20-5A first-team selection as a junior in 2012 and was a second-team pick in 2011… named to All-Greater Houston second-team honors as a junior… competed at the club level with the Texas Kaos for coach Bert Emmanuel, Texas Magic for coaches Jaime and Dane Carter and Houston Power for coaches John Glowacz and Jeff Korioth…  participates in Young Life at Bellaire HS… plans to major in kinesiology at MSU… daughter of Michael and Tamra Bermudes of Houston, Texas…

What coach Tigert said: "Taylor is a talented athlete. She is very versatile and has the ability to contribute in numerous roles."
 

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Erin Knox
5-7 | West, Texas | West High School

Notables: a three-year letter winner for coach Guyla Smith at West (Texas) High School… helped the Trojans to a pair of Texas Class 3A finalists showing s in 2010 and 2011 as a field player before pitching West High into the state semifinals in 2012… a two-time All-District 8-3A performer as a first baseman in 2010 and 2011 garnering the league's Offensive Player of the Year on her way to All-State and All-Super Centex honors as a sophomore while also gaining Texas Sports Writers' All-State honors as a pitcher… posted a 23-5 mark as a junior gaining TSWA All-State honors for the second straight season in 2012 as she was named 8-3A Pitcher of the Year and to the 2012 Super CenTex squad… helped the Trojans to a 96-24-1 mark in her first three prep seasons… named to District 8-3A All-Academic team in 2011… competes at the club level with the Texas Rapid Fire Gold for coaches Brian Menefee and Kent Wittenauer… member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and Science Club at West High… daughter of Charles and Cynthia Knox of West, Texas…

What coach Tigert said: "Erin could be the leader of our pitching staff. She has the potential to be one of the top pitching talents in the Lone Star Conference."
 

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Katy Vandewater
5-11 | Arlington, Texas | O'Connor High School (Weatherford College)

Notables: earned All-NJCAA Region 5 North first-team honors after hitting .372 with 12 doubles, a triple and nine home runs with 45 RBIs as a freshman at Weatherford College in 2012… enjoyed stellar prep career as a two-time all-district selection as a freshman(2008) and sophomore (2009) at Haltom High where she helped the Buffaloes to a postseason showing in 2008… a two-time All-San Antonio Super Team while gaining all-district accolades following her junior (2010) and senior (2011) at O'Connor High School helping the Panthers to the third round of the playoffs in 2010 before advancing to the Class 5A state finals in 2011… competed at the club level for coaches David Slyvia and Raymond Moreno for Texas Xtreme Gold… plans to major in nursing at MSU… daughter of Richard and Renee Vandewater of Arlington, Texas… will compete as a sophomore at Weatherford College this spring…

What coach Tigert said: "I believe Katy will be one of the most talented athletes I've worked with. She will be a tremendous force in our conference as well as a go-to girl on our team."
 

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Baylee Voigt
5-7 | Wichita Falls, Texas | Iowa Park High School

Notables: a two-year letter winner for coach Ricky Ledford at Iowa Park (Texas) High School… led Lady Hawks to an Area championship as a junior in 2011 hitting .475 with an area-leading 10 home runs while driving in 45 runs… named District 6-3A Catcher of the Year in 2012… also helped IPHS to an Area title while hitting .475 with five homers including a grand slam as a sophomore in 2011 when she earned 6-3A Catcher of the Year honors… a two-time Times Record News Red River Diamond Dozen pick (2011, 2012)… earned District 5-2A Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman at City View High School… helped Lady Mustangs go unbeaten in league while claiming a bi-district championship… hit .485 with five homers including a pair of grand slams during frosh campaign… is active on her campus as a four-year Student Council Member, three-year Spanish Club member and has been a member of the PALS mentoring program at IPHS… earned A&B Honor Roll status the last four years… earned CNA certification in 2012… competes on the club level for coaches Martin and Kimberly Poole of the Texas Glory… plans to major in nursing at MSU… daughter of Andy and Bylinda Voigt of Wichita Falls…

What coach Tigert said: "Looking forward to having Baylee as an impact offensive player for us. She is also very talented defensively with the ability to play multiple positions."