Right-hander Hannah Lee signs with SAGU
Kentucky product bolsters recruiting class
WAXAHACHIE, Texas — The soil is so fertile in Kentucky that some regions of the state gave reason for the nickname, the “Bluegrass State.” Grazing thoroughbreds and emerging athletes have given rise to this productive midlands area.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University has announced the signing of Hannah Lee , a high school pitcher from Hardinsburg (pop. 2,343), Kentucky .
She was a standout hurler at Class 3A Breckinridge County HS (Harned, Ky), about 70 miles southwest of Louisville.
While she has plenty of experience manning second base and the outfield, Lee made her mark while in the circle for Head Coach Nathan Maxwell and the BC Tigers.
Lee is a right-hander – both in the circle and at bat.
She picked up numerous accolades, ranging from First Team All-District the past two years and First Team All-Region as a senior.
Breckinridge County finished this year as the district runner-up and advanced to regionals.
This year she racked up an 8-7 record, with 16 complete games in her 18 starts. Her endurance prompted her coach to say, “Hannah, don’t you think you are warmed-up yet? You have been pitching for two hours!”
Her glittery 1.83 earned run average was legitimized by category stats.
Opponents managed to hit just .167 against her (497 at bats, 83 hits). In 118 innings, she fanned 103 and walked just 21. 
Lee was even more effective performing on club teams where she was named All-Region and was selected as one of the Top 100 players in Kentucky.
Her 2012 team were World Series champions and she was a Co-MVP of the team.
In 2010 her team finished in the Top 10 at the ASA Northern Nationals.
She suited up for the Bluegrass Blaze 16U team, coached by Greg Meiners ; the Owensboro Catholic Thunder 16U, coached by Blake Edge ; the Louisville Diamonds 16U, coached by Bill Gray and the Louisville Sports Reach 18U, who were coached by Kevin Johnson .
Lee, who was born in Dallas , plans to major in Elementary Education. She also played basketball, twice earning Academic All-State honors, and ran on the Cross Country team four years.
She garnered Academic All-State in each season.
Her faith has been vibrant in her life through the years. Lee is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and also at Bethel Fellowship and its’ youth group.
She helped serve at a Soup Kitchen directed by the youth group. Lee also participated at a children’s softball camp and outreach.
Hannah’s parents are Michael and Missy Lee . She has a brother, Colin (13).
About SAGU Softball
College softball is much like baseball in that pitching is the keystone of successful teams. SAGU Head Coach Tim Grant has seen the Lady Lions, who just completed their second year of existence, improve from 2-28 to 13-24.
The inaugural 2012 squad had an earned run average of 10.73 with four pitchers combining to toss four complete games. They struck out 42 and walked 95 batters.
This spring the club clearly improved as did the pitching staff. SAGU had a 7.05 ERA, 15 complete games, fanned 107 and issued 103 free passes.
Entering the Sooner Athletic Conference next season, the Lady Lions look to continue their upward climb.
The team’s ERA this year, while greatly bested 2012, still ranked No. 173 of 190 ball teams in the NAIA. The Purple Pride’s first campaign saw the bullpen unite to finish No. 189 in ERA of 194 teams.
Their progress this spring was solid, cutting 3.68 off the 2012 ERA!
The signing of RHP Hannah Lee and LHP Britney Johnson (Tahlequah, Ok / Tahlequah HS) could give SAGU a literal shot in the arm. The freshmen, along with returning veterans, should provide great competition on a team on the rise.
SAGU will return a solid core of the 2013 team, anchored by third baseman Kelsey Coburn (Lewisville, Tx / Lewisville HS) and infielder Kasey Poovey (Nevada, Tx / Community HS).
The pair finished 1-2 in batting average, base hits, runs batted in and slugging percentage. Coburn hit .427 with 50 hits, 32 RBI and a .624 Slug%. Poovey was credited with a .382 BA, 42 hits, 20 RBI and .482.
Fall camp commences in September. The 2014 season begins in January.
Contact : Mark “Link” Warde , SAGU Sports Information Director, at [email protected] or at 469-658-2847.
