CHATTANOOGA --- The Chattanooga Mocs softball team and head coach Frank Reed announced the additions of eight newcomers for the 2019 season during the November early signing period which began on Wednesday.
 
Of the eight recruits, six are California (3) and Georgia (3) natives and the remaining two reside in Alabama and Tennessee. Chattanooga landed four utility players, two outfielders, a pitcher and a catcher in this 2018 class.
 
"When we look at this recruiting class, we're looking at eight strong student-athletes that we are very excited about bringing to Chattanooga. We have three kids from the West Coast, an area we recruit heavily, and we're excited for what they bring," said head coach Frank Reed.
 
"This class brings a lot of versatility to our 2019 roster. We're excited to see how these freshmen will impact our program in the future."
 
The complete list of signee information and highlights can be found below.
 
Emily Coltharp, McDonough, Ga., Utility
Emily Coltharp is a three-year starter at Union Grove High School in McDonough, Ga., where she carries a career batting average of .439 (132-for-301). Coltharp concluded the 2016-17 high school season with a .488 (59-for-121) batting average, 41 runs scored and 20 stolen bases on her way to being selected second team All-Georgia. Emily carries a 3.6 GPA and was a 2017 Georgia Positive Athlete Award finalist.
 
Makenzi Grider, Hollywood, Ala., Utility
Makenzi Grider is a four-year varsity starter as a middle infielder at Scottsboro High School in Alabama. Grider helped Scottsboro to a runner-up finish in Alabama 5A competition by hitting for a .500 (13-for-26) batting average in ten postseason games. She has earned All-Area Tournament Team, Golden Glove and Wildcat Award honors. Grider has numerous academic awards and plans to pursue an education in criminal justice at UTC.
 
Olivia Jacobs, Jasper, Ga., Utility
Olivia Jacobs earned first team all-region honors in back-to-back seasons at Pickens County High School in Jasper, Ga. Jacobs also was a part of a second place finish at the USA Elite Select Championships in 2017. She was named to the Honor Roll all four years and carries a 3.7 cumulative GPA.
 
Gracey Kruse, Rossville, Ga., Utility
Gracey Kruse is a four-year letter winner and three-time state champion at Gordon Lee High School in Rossville, Ga., She has been an all-state selection the previous two seasons and was also named the class A Player of the Year and Walker County Player of the Year in 2017. A four-year academic letter winner, Kruse ranks eighth in her class with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
 
Ashlynn Lee, Murfreesboro, Tenn., Outfield
Ashlynn Lee will join the Mocs as a three-year letter winner at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn. She notched 12 hits in 21 games last season while driving in three runs and scoring eight times. Lee carries a career .287 batting average in high school action with 12 runs batted in.
 
Natalie Luna, Fontana, Calif., Catcher
Natalie Luna is a four-year starter behind the plate at Kaiser High School in Fontana, Calif. Luna is a two-time All-Sunkist League and three-time Academic All-Sunkist League selection while in high school. She also plays AAU for Explosion SoCal, one of the top travel organizations in the nation. Luna carries an overall GPA of 3.7 while being heavily active in community services.
 
Abigail Parises, Lodi, Calif., Corner Infield/Utility
Abigail Parises is a four-year letter winner at St. Mary's High School in Lodi, Calif., where she played primarily at the corner infield positions. She helped lead St. Mary's to a 25-6 record in 2016-17 with 21 hits, nine doubles, three homeruns and 16 runs batted in. Parises has been recognized as a top student in Computer Design, Sports Medicine, Psychology and Chemistry.
 
Mariah Ramirez, La Habra, Calif., Pitcher
Mariah Ramirez is a four-year starting pitcher and first baseman at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, Calif. She is a three-year All-League selection and was named the Rookie of the Year during her freshman season. Ramirez plays travel ball with the USA Athletics 18U Gold team where she hit over .400 and kept a sub-1.3 ERA in the circle.