Springfield, Mo. — Evangel head softball coach Jerry Breaux has signed Ashley Bryant, a second baseman from Harrisonville ( Mo.) High School.
Bryant led Harrisonville to the 2006 state 3A championship, which was Harrisonville’s first state softball title. Bryant hit at a .330 pace with a .550 slugging average. She turned in a .980 fielding average.
Listed as one of the top players in Missouri’s 2007 class by Mostsports.com, Bryant collected several honors in 2006. As a junior, she earned first team all-conference and all-district plaudits. Bryant was voted her team’s MVP and was named the Harrisonville offensive player of the year.
Not only has Bryant earned honors on the softball field, but she has also collected several academic awards as a student. Bryant is a member of the Harrisonville Principal’s Honor Roll and the A+ Program. She has also won scholar-athlete honors. Bryant is listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students and is active in several school organizations and clubs.
“Ashley is the complete player and student-athlete,” stated Breaux. “She is an excellent student, a terrific player, and an outstanding citizen. Ashley will be a wonderful addition to Evangel University and to our softball program. I am very excited about her joining our 2007 softball team.”
Breaux, who will begin his 14th year as the Evangel head softball coach in 2007, has led the Lady Crusaders to three straight Heart of America Athletic Conference championships and seven titles overall - more than any other sport at Evangel. In addition to winning its seventh conference championship, the 2006 Evangel University softball team finished with a 36-13 record and advanced to the NAIA National Championships for the first time in school history. The Lady Crusaders were ranked No. 9 on the final 2006 NAIA national poll.