MOBILE, Ala. ? University of South Alabama softball head coach Becky Clark announced the addition of Stephanie Dunaway (Fairhope High School ? Fairhope, Ala.), Meghan Collins (Pope John Paul II High School ? Slidell, La.) and Morgan Druhan (Spanish Fort High School ? Spanish Fort, Ala.) to the 2009 early signing class on Wednesday.

“I am extremely excited about our early signees,” Clark said. “All three of these young ladies are just as strong in the classroom as they are on the field. They bring a tremendous work ethic and mental toughness with them that is going to help us tremendously as we build our young program.”

Collins, a native of Lacombe, La., has garnered two all-district honors, was named an all-state and All-St. Tammany honoree and has been a varsity starter at first base since her freshman year. She is also a state champion power lifter in the 165 pound class.

“Meghan is extremely strong and has tremendous bat speed,” Clark said. “She is an incredibly hard worker and a great teammate. I look forward to the next four years because I think there are great things in store for Meghan.”

Collins has also played for Jim Ricciardone’s Déjà vu club team based out of New Orleans, La.

Dunaway, who hails from Fairhope, Ala. where she has played for Fairhope’s varsity team since the eighth grade. Dunaway has been named a five-time Baldwin All-County honoree, three-time Mobile Register’s Super 12 honorable mention candidate, and was named to the first team 6A all-state and Mobile Register Super 12 first team during her junior season.

“Two of Stephanie’s biggest assets are her speed and aggressiveness,” Clark said. “She is an offensive sparkplug, a great base runner and a tough defender. She is one of those ?whatever it takes’ kind of kids.”

Last season, Dunaway compiled a .518 batting average, 12 triples, 32 stolen bases and 44 runs. She has played for the Mobile Thrillers (coached by the late Brad Cooper) and West Florida Elite. During that time, Dunaway teamed up with current Jaguars Haley Hopkins, Krista Rodden, Kalin Lasseter and Katy Neal.

Druhan, a native of Spanish Fort, Ala., is the first SFHS player to sign a softball scholarship, and the school’s first Division I signee. She was named to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s All-Star Sports Week South team this past summer, where she helped lead her squad to a 6-1 victory over the North. She was also a Mobile Register’s Super 12 honorable mention candidate her junior year.

“Morgan is a big game pitcher,” Clark said. “She is extremely mature and knows how to compete with tremendous composure. I love the fact that she will bring a very business-like attitude with her to South Alabama.”

Druhan has also played for the Wichita, Kan. based Mustangs club team coached by Mark Griggs.