CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern head softball coach Venus Taylor announced the 2020 November signing class on Wednesday afternoon. The Buccaneers added five players to the squad who are projected to take the field with the Bucs for the 2021-22 season.

Overall, the Buccaneers focused on the infield and the battery in this signing class that features a pair of infielders, two catchers, and a right-handed pitcher. The quintet is expected to join a strong core in the softball program under Taylor's leadership.

"I am extremely excited to welcome this incredibly gifted class to the Bucs family," Taylor said. "As excited as I am about their athleticism and versatility, I am equally excited about their character, mental toughness, grit, and work ethic. I wholeheartedly believe the greatest teams have chemistry and the ability to make personal sacrifices for the common goal. We have recruited players in this class who we feel are both high level performers and culture changers. The future is really bright for our program. Go Bucs!"

The Buccaneers close out the 2020 fall practice slate this week in preparations for the spring 2021 schedule. The full schedule will be announced at a later date.
 
Weslin Jones
Infielder * Walterboro, S.C.
Colleton Prep Academy * Lady Lightning Pedy

• Three-Time All-Region selection
• Three-Time named the varsity softball "Best Offense" recipient
• Overall career statistics include a .521 batting average with 123 hits in 236 at-bats, as well as 91 stolen bases
• Boasted a .586 batting average with 17 hits and 13 stolen bases in her junior season
• Boasted a .511 batting average with 45 hits and 28 stolen bases in her sophomore season
• Posted a .508 batting average with 33 hits and 27 stolen bases in her freshman season
• Posted a .519 batting average with 28 hits and 23 stolen bases as an eighth grader
• Four-Time All-Region volleyball selection
• Two-Time Volleyball "Best Defense" selection
• Two-Time Volleyball "MVP" honoree
• Three-Time Class President
• Named the Student Body Historian in her senior season
• Member of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Honor Society
• Daughter of Sonda and Wesley Jones
• Coached by Tiger Martin at Colleton Prep Academy
• Coached by Robert Pedy on the Lady Lightning Pedy team
• Plans on majoring in kinesiology at CSU
• Father, Wesley Jones, played college football at The Citadel from 1991-94

Maggie Carpenter
Pitcher/Utility * Seneca, Ill.
Seneca High School * Beverly Bandits/Ohio Hawks

• Four-Year Varsity Athlete at Seneca High School
• Pitched on the 2018 regional champion team
• Team posted 33 wins on their way to the championship with Carpenter boasting 18 of the wins with 190 strikeouts during the season
• Earned "Rookie of the Year" honors as a freshman
• Earned First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-State recognition
• Named the Junior class president
• Member of the Honor Roll and a High Honor Roll student
• Daughter of Craig and Keri Carpenter
• Coached by Brian Holman and Dan Stecken at Seneca High School
• Coached by Bill Conroy (Beverly Bandits) and Wendell Hutchison (Ohio Hawks)
• Plans on majoring in business and Christian studies at CSU

Lexi Markle
Infielder/Utility * Charlotte, N.C.
Ardrey Kell High School * Lady Lighting Gold

• Two-Time All-District selection (2018, 2019)
• 2019 4A All-State selection
• Two-Time SoMeck 7 All-Conference selection (2018, 2019)
• 2019 Ardrey Kell Most Outstanding Player
• Two-Time Powerade State Games NCHS (2018, 2019)
• Ardrey Kell Softball Home Run Leader for both single season (10) and career (16)
• 2019 statistics included .415 batting average with 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 23 runs scored and a 1.527 OPS
• 2018 statistics included a .523 batting average with four home runs, 29 RBI, and 23 runs scored
• Daughter of Mirela and Patrick Markle
• Plans on majoring in accounting/forensics at CSU

Gracie Prince
Catcher * Moncks Corner, S.C.
Berkeley High School * Lady Lightning Gold Pedy

• Four-Time AA All-Region selection
• 2019 AA Region Player of the Year
• 2019 AA All-State selection
• Two-Time Defensive MVP selection (2016, 2018)
• 2017 Offensive MVP
• Two-Time SCHSL AA All-State selection (2017, 2019)
• Member of The National Society of High School Scholars
• 2018 member of the Berkeley varsity volleyball team
• Coached by Kelley Dillon at Berkeley High School
• Coached by Pedy Roberts on the Lady Lightning Gold Pedy team
• Daughter of Tiffany and Dwayne Prince
• Plans on majoring in nursing at CSU
• Father, Dwayne Prince, played baseball at Limestone (1996-97) before transferring to CSU in 1997

Jenna Schwartz
Catcher * North Brunswick, N.J.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School * New Jersey Intensity 18u KOD/Cerchio

• Two-Time All-Conference selection
• Two-Time All-Division selection
• Led the team to back-to-back Division and Conference Championships
• Lined up as the starting catcher every game in her freshman and sophomore seasons prior to COVID shutting down her junior year
• Boasts career numbers of a .333 batting average with 40 RBI, 15 extra-base hits, two home runs, and 16 walks over her freshman and sophomore seasons
• Coached by Melissa Collazo at St. Thomas Aquinas
• Coached by Dave Cerchio on the New Jersey Intensity 18u KOD/Cerchio team
• Daughter of Patricia Colaianni and Mitch Schwartz