In-State Prep Star Amanda Ivy Signs With MSU Softball

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State softball Head Coach Vann Stuedeman announced the signing of in-state prep star Amanda Ivy Wednesday afternoon. Ivy, a 5-foot-8 utility player from Batesville, Miss., registered a .321 batting average this past spring as a junior at South Panola High School in Batesville. The right-hander is the sixth and final member of the 2013 signing class.

"We are so proud to sign one of our state's players from South Panola High School," Stuedeman said. "Amanda is a great athlete and an extremely hard worker. She's going to make all Mississippians proud."

Under the direction of Ashleigh Hicks this past season, Ivy helped lead SPHS to a district championship and North State runner-up honors, batting .321 with 27 hits and 32 runs scored. The utility player also tallied three home runs and 27 RBIs, as well as 14 stolen bases in 14 attempts. Defensively, the future Bulldog tallied a .984 fielding percentage with 16 assists and 232 putouts.

Ivy, who will make her Bulldog debut in the 2013-14 season, is also a key player for the Blue Angels Gold fastpitch travel team, coached by Rose Kalisak.

"We are so glad to associate ourselves with South Panola High School and Head Coach Ashleigh Hicks, as well as her summer ball program, the Blue Angels and Head Coach Rose Kalisak," Stuedeman explained.

For more information on the 2013 signing class and the MSU softball program, follow the team on Twitter at @MStateSB and like the team on Facebook at Facebook.com/MStateSB.