November 14, 2002
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans received national letters of intent Wednesday from Laura Durham of Pearland High, Joy Davis of Austin Bowie High, Christina Smith of Cinco Ranch High, and Sharonda McDonald from Pasadena Dobie High.
"I am very excited about the caliber of athletes we are bringing into our program. We lose five key seniors and these incoming freshmen will have big shoes to fill. I believe each of them will come in and make an immediate impact in our program. They all excel in the classroom as well as on the field. They are strong and fast and very athletic. Each of them has the ability to come in here and help us win championships."
LAURA DURHAM
Durham plays third base for Pearland High and Coach Laneigh Clark as well as summer ball for Larry Durham and the Texas Storm. She is a four-year varsity letterwinner and was named to the 24-5A All-District first team as well as being selected the Freshman of the Year. Durham is a 3-Time All-District selection at third base, and was selected as the team's Offensive MVP in 2002. She is also a four-time "All-Tournament" team selection, NFCA two-time All-American Scholar Athlete, and a Who's Who Among America's High School Athletes.
"Laura has great size, power, and quickness. She has power at the plate and does a nice job defensively. She has a great work ethic and has had very good coaching. She will be able to come in and help our program immediately. She is also a very dedicated student."
JOY DAVIS
Davis hails from Bowie High where she was first-team All-District as well as Offensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2002. She was District MVP as a sophomore at Devine High while leading her team to the quarterfinal championship. As a freshman Davis was named to the first team All-District, All-State Tournament team, and the THSGCA All-State Team. Davis was also chosen as the Greater San Antonio Newcomer of the Year and the All-Bay Area Softball Newcomer of the Year for South Texas.
"Joy is a very versatile athlete. Her speed and quickness will help us both offensively and defensively. She is capable of playing the middle infield and the outfield. She is a very hard working, no-nonsense kind of player. She is small in stature, but strong and fast. Her speed makes her a definite threat on the bases."
CHRISTINA SMITH
Smith is a 6-foot right hander from Katy, Texas and will earn her third varsity letter in softball this spring. She was named the 2002 Team MVP after leading Cinco Ranch to their first appearance in the UIL State Playoffs. Smith was also selected to the All-District first team in 2002 and to the All-District second team in 2001. She was named a member of the AFA 18U All-National Tournament Team in 2001. As a junior, Smith posted an ERA of 0.60 through 164.67 innings with 225 strikeouts and 19 walks.
"Christina is an imposing pitcher at 6-foot. She throws hard and is an intimidating force on the mound. She has great presence on the mound and handles pressure situations with poise and maturity. She is capable of developing into a dominant force in the Big XII Conference."
SHARONDA MCDONALD
McDonald is a three time letterwinner at Pasadena Dobie High where she was named first-team All-District her freshman and sophomore years as well as District MVP, and second team All-Greater Houston as a junior. Other awards include Most Valuable Offensive Player as a freshman and sophomore as well as second team All-Greater Houston both years. McDonald displayed her athletic versatility by lettering in track and volleyball for the past three years.
"Sharonda is a standout in the state of Texas. Her speed is exceptional. She can flat out fly. Sharonda has the potential to be a difference maker in our program. She is athletic, strong, has a wonderful personality, and is the fastest player I have ever coached. She will make an immediate impact in our program."
The Texas A&M Softball team opens their season February 4th at the Aggie Softball Complex against Stephen F. Austin.