MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama softball head coach Becky Clark announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent Wednesday, and all four will join the program next fall.

Wednesday's signees include pitcher Hannah Campbell (Satsuma, Ala./Satsuma HS), infielders Haley Richards (Fayetteville, Ga./Whitewater HS) and Julie Moss (Birmingham, Ala./Oak Mountain HS) and catcher Sara Hilton (Enterprise, Ala./Shelton State CC).

"Our goal was to add depth and get stronger up the middle with this year's signing class," Clark said. "We feel like we have done that with the four student-athletes we have signed. In addition, all four of these young ladies are strong students and people of character. They will all be huge assets as we continue to build a first-class program."

Hannah Campbell, LHP, Satsuma, Ala. (Satsuma HS)

Campbell was named the 2009 Mobile Press-Register Player of the Year as a junior, after leading SHS to a runner-up finish in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A state tournament. She was named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A all-state team and the 6A state all-tournament team, and finished the season with a 28-4 record and 0.56 ERA in the circle. Campbell struck out 338 batters in 200 innings, while allowing just 20 walks during her junior season.  

"I am excited about the addition of Hannah to our pitching staff, and believe she has a very bright future at South Alabama," Clark said. "She has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the best. I feel like she is a player who will only get better as she continues to work, which is exciting considering she is already such an accomplished pitcher."

Haley Richards, second base, Fayetteville, Ga. (Whitewater HS)

Richards batted .532 with three home runs and 28 RBI as a senior, and finished with an .807 slugging percentage and .598 on-base percentage. She was named Class 4A second-team all-state by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association as a junior, and earned all-state honorable mention honors as a sophomore. Richards helped lead WHS to consecutive runner-up finishes in 4A the past two seasons.

"Defensively, Haley gives us more depth at second and short," Clark said. "Her biggest strength is that she is a ballplayer who understands the game and has great instincts. She does all of the little things that you cannot coach. Offensively, she is a middle-of- the-field type hitter who can also hit the ball out of the park."

Julie Moss, infielder, Birmingham, Ala. (Oak Mountain HS)

Moss was a 2009 selection to the Alabama All-Star Sports Week softball South team, after earning all-Shelby County and all-metro honors as a junior. She hit .348 with 28 RBI, and led OMHS with 12 doubles last season.

"With Julie we get defense, speed and a player who has a strong understanding of the hitting process," Clark said. "She is the type of player who makes your club better in a multitude of ways. Defensively, she gives us depth up the middle, and offensively, she gives us a player who has the ability to hit for average and still drive the ball out of the park from time to time."

Sara Hilton, catcher, Enterprise, Ala. (Shelton State CC)

Hilton, who has spent the past two seasons at Shelton State Community College, was named National Junior College Athletic Association all-region XXII, and Alabama Community College Conference all-central division as a freshman. She hit .282 with five home runs and 24 RBI in 40 games last season as a freshman. Defensively, Hilton threw out 60 percent of runners attempting to steal.

The Enterprise, Ala., native was a first-team all-state selection by the ASWA in Class 6A her senior year at Enterprise High School, and was the Dothan Eagle Super 12 Player of the Year. Hilton finished her senior season at EHS with a .370 average with 14 home runs and 47 RBI.

"Sara is going to give us another defensive weapon behind the plate," Clark said. "Her arm strength gives her the ability to shut down the opposing team's running game, and she gives us a physical presence at the catching position. From an offensive standpoint, she is a gap-to-gap type hitter who routinely comes up big in the clutch."

Click here to view photos of the signees.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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