Lady Pirate Softball Signs Two In Early Period
November 25, 2002 | Softball
"Since we have only two seniors on our current roster I'm pleased with these additions for next year.," said Kee. "Both of these student athletes will make an impact in the classroom as well as on the field."
Harrell is a senior at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, N.C., where she primarily serves as a pitcher, but has also played first base and outfield. She has been a member of the J.H. Rose High School varsity team for the past three years, and in 2002 was the Daily Reflector Pitcher of the Year and the class 4A Big East Conference Player of the Year. Also in 2002, Harrell was named Softball MVP at J.H. Rose. In 2001 and 2002, she was named all-conference and her team at Rose High was the Class 4A Big East Conference Co-Champion.
Harrell has been a member of the Triangle Patriots 18 and Under fall travel team for the past two seasons and has participated in travel programs since she was 12. She has been playing softball in Pitt County since 1995 and has been an all-star team selection at the East Carolina softball camp for four consecutive years.
"We have had the luxury of watching Keli develop through our summer camps," said Kee. "We feel that Keli has established herself as a complete pitcher, one in which will be an asset to our program. Her ability to throw the up pitch will complement our current staff. Keli has tremendous composure on the mound because it has been her sanctuary since she started playing fastpitch. We are excited to have Keli and her parents as part of our Pirate family."
Maines is a senior at Riverview High School in Brandon, Fla., where she is a second baseman, but has also seen action at short stop and in the outfield. She has been a member of the varsity softball team at Riverview for the past three seasons and was named to the all-county team each of those years. Last season, she was first team all-conference, first team All-Suncoast and helped her team to the Class 6A state championship. She was named offensive MVP in the state championship game. That season she led the team in batting average (.431), home runs, triples, doubles, runs scored and on-base percentage and was named the Riverview High Offensive Player of the Year. In the summer she was a member of the Tampa Mustangs, a team she has played on since 1996. The Mustangs were 11-time Florida state champions and seven-time national champions.
"Kaycie is going to bring speed, the ability to play multiple positions, and a stick to our roster next year," said Kee. "Her competitiveness and energy is a reflection of the passion she has for the game. She is coming from a winning tradition in high school where her team won the state championship in 2002. Her summer team is loaded with Division I caliber players and has a reputation of winning big games. Anytime you add her abilities with these winning traditions, the outcome is going to be positive. We look forward to adding the Maines family to East Carolina University and the Pirate program."
