Canary’s touted class includes pitching gems

Posted: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 12:00 pm

UT Martin softball head coach Donley Canary knows he must have talented players in order to win.
With three conference championships tucked away over the past four years, Canary feels that his seven-player 2013 recruiting class will help keep the Skyhawk program at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference board in the coming years.
Highlighting the class are three strong, right-handed pitchers from California, Missouri and Tennessee. Sprinkle in speed and power from California, Wisconsin and Tennessee for the right combination for program success. Canary feels this is the best recruiting class that UT Martin Softball has ever enjoyed.
The Skyhawks needed to solidify their future in the circle with the 2013 recruiting class. With the addition of Brooke Kennedy; Bath Springs., Tayler Jerrick; Anaheim, Calif., and Elizabeth Wiegand; Moscow Mills, Mo., the Skyhawks addressed there long term needs.
Jerrick is a right-handed pitcher and first baseman from John F. Kennedy High School in Anaheim, Calif.
She has helped her high school program to back-to-back CIF appearances in both her sophomore and junior seasons.
Kennedy prepped at Riverside in nearby Decaturville, helping the Lady Panthers to a state softball championship in 2011 and a runner up finish in 2012. She was a second team All-West Tennessee selection as a freshman and secured first-team all-state player honors as both a sophomore and junior.
Wiegand hails from Moscow Mills, Mo., and attends Troy Buchanan High School. She is a two-time, Missouri All-State pitching selection and has led her school to the Missouri large school championship in 2011 and a regional berth in 2012.
The first of four position players signed by the Skyhawk coaching staff is Gabby Glenn of Covington. She will join her sister, Autumn, who is already a member of the Skyhawk softball team.
Renate Meckl comes to the Skyhawk softball program from Oconomowoc, Wis., where she was a highly decorated player achieving all-area, all-district and all-conference honors while participating in softball at Oconomowoc High School.
Taylor Manning attends Lakewood High School in Long Beach, Cal., where she is a three-year starter on the nationally recognized softball team. She has been recognized as a two-time All-Moore League selection, Offensive Player of the Year and recipient of the coaches award.
Bella Zizzi is a multi-sport athlete at East Robertson, receiving recognition in volleyball, basketball and softball.
In softball, Zizzi is an all-district, all-county and all-state selection. She is a two-time recipient of the Offensive Player of the Year Award.
“Bella is the fastest player to don a Skyhawk softball uniform. However, she must learn how to steal bases and not just run the bases,” Canary said. “We see her as both a second baseman and a left fielder. She can really energize our lineup. She is a slapper that puts a tremendous amount of pressure on a defense. One false step or bobble and she is on. Bella will develop quickly as she concentrates on softball only in college. She has a bright future.”
A member of the National Honor Society, Bella is undecided in her educational major at this time.

Published in The Weakley County Press 11.27.12