Abair, Huff join Davis-Nance on the hill
Team has begun practice for second season
WAXAHACHIE, Texas — The favorite letter in the English alphabet for a pitcher is simple: K. It is the statistical abbreviation written in the scorebook when they strike out a batter.
The Southwestern Assemblies of God University women’s fast pitch softball team recently added two key players to the 2013 team, a pair of pitchers, who signed their National Letter of Intent.
While retiring opposing batters via the whiff is a goal, the K is also the first letter in their hometowns; Keller and Kennedale.
Blayr Huff , a 5-foot-7 right-hander from Keller , Texas (north of Ft. Worth, 58 miles from Waxahachie) will be part of the Lady Lions second year program.
Joining alongside her is Ashley Abair . At 5’6, she comes from Kennedale (southeast of Ft. Worth, 32 miles from campus) after transferring Frank Phillips College in Borger, Tx (north of Amarillo).
The duo could figure prominently in the team’s rotation this season. They will join returning veteran Shannen ( Davis ) Nance (Kremlin, Ok / Kremlin-Hillsdale HS), one of last year’s pitchers. The junior had the lowest earned run average on the staff.
Head Coach Tim Grant spoke highly of both student-athletes, and believes they will not only fit well on the team, but will complement the SAGU student body.
Blayr Huff
The freshman who attended at both Liberty Christian School (Argyle, Tx) and Harvest Christian Academy (Watauga, Tx), plans to be a business major at SAGU.
While on the mound for the HCA Saints for three years, the team enjoyed great success, including annual trips to the Final Four and State Finals.
Huff was named Co-Offensive MVP and First Team All-District as a junior as well as Co-Offensive MVP in the district during her sophomore campaign.
She was selected 2nd team All-State as a freshman, and 1st Team All-State as a sophomore and junior.
Her highlight moment was tossing a perfect game. She also was known for her power stroke at the plate.
Plus, she graduated in with Academic Honors.
Huff is the daughter of parents Wade and Leah . Her siblings are brother Zayne , a SAGU alumnus, and sister Lyz .
Ashley Abair
Abair (AY-bear) is a sophomore after playing for Head Coach Lucas Grider at Frank Phillips College last season. 
She started on the hill in 25 games for the Lady Plainsmen, throwing 146 innings.
Abair will continue pursuing a degree in Elementary Education while pitching for the purple and gold.
The 2011 graduate of Kennedale High School was chosen for numerous honors as a right-handed, 4-year starting pitcher for the Wildcats.
In her first year on the varsity Abair was voted the District’s Pitcher of the Year (District 12-3A) as a freshman as well as her team’s Co-Defensive MVP.
She followed that with the 2009 District Co-Pitcher of the Year, then, during both her junior and senior seasons, Abair was chosen Second Team All-District.
For inspirational conduct in her last year of prep ball, she received the 2011 Lady KAT Heart Award.
Parents Jason and Shannon Abair have three daughters, Breanna , Rebekah and Ashley.
SAGU has many challenges ahead as a young program. The addition of this pair of pitching workhorses will surely lead the way. If their industrious past is indicative of their future, Huff and Abair will be more than O ‘K.’
The Lady Lions, who are in their first week of pre-season practice, begin the 2013 season with a three-game home series on February 8-9 against Our Lady of the Lake University .
Contact : Mark “Link” Warde , SAGU Sports Information Director, at [email protected] or at 469-658-2847.
