Clarksville, TN – The Austin Peay State University (APSU) softball team looks to continue building on its recent success with the addition of six standout student-athletes to its 2020 signing class, as announced by head coach Kassie Stanfill.
Among the incoming class for the 2020-21 school year are two of the Clarksville area’s best softball players in Maddie Berner (Clarksville High) and Kaitlin Woodruff (Montgomery Central), as well four top out of state competitors in Jordan Benefiel (Indiana), Mea Clark (North Carolina), Alyssa Archuleta (Colorado) and Mackenzie Gareau (Missouri).
“I want to welcome our 2020 signing class to the Governors’ family,” Stanfill said. “We have spent a lot of time developing a relationship with each individual and believe they will come in and help build upon the tradition we have here at Austin Peay State University.”
“Today, we are thrilled to introduce all six athletes to Governors Nation, and we look forward to the opportunity to help them continue their growth as student-athletes and strong women.”
APSU Governors Softball 2020 Recruiting Class
Alyssa Archuleta | SS | 5-3 | Broomfield, CO (Legacy HS)
A fleet-footed, strong-armed middle infielder, batted over .360, with a .500 slugging percentage, 10 stolen bases, seven doubles and a home run as a junior for the Lightning. That campaign followed a sophomore season where she batted .340 with 10 stolen bases and three home runs among her eight extra-base hits.
Jordan Benefiel | RHP | 5-9 | Pendleton, IN (Pendleton Heights HS)
Posted an 18-4 record, with six saves, as a junior for the Arabians, including a 0.85 ERA and a school single season record 243 strikeouts in 140.2 innings pitched while holding opposing hitters to a .122 batting average. Named First Team 4A All-State, Madison County Pitcher of the Year, Madison County First team All-Area, IndyStar Super Team selection, and Team MVP. As a sophomore, named first Team all-conference and Madison County All-Area Team.
Maddie Berner | OF | 5-6 | Clarksville, TN (Clarksville HS)
Batter .468 with a team-high 13 home runs, 58 hits and 63 RBI for the Lady Wildcats as a junior, earning District 10-AAA Player of the Year honors, as well as being selected to the Tennessee Softball Coaches Association All-State First Team, The Leaf-Chronicle All-Area First Team, and Second-Team All Mid-State Team. As a sophomore, batted .421, with six home runs, earning First Team selections in District 10-AAA and The Leaf-Chronicle All-Area squads.
Mea Clark | C | 5-6 | Brown Summit, NC (Northern Guilford HS)
A career .336 hitter, with a .590 slugging percentage, through her first three seasons for the Nighthawks, she was named First-Team all-conference, First-Team All-Area, and Second-Team All-State following her junior season. She also was named Team MVP as a junior and served as a team co-captain. As a sophomore, she was selected to Second-Team all-conference.
Mackenzie Gareau | INF | 5-5 | Ballwin, MO (Marquette HS)
As a senior helped lead the Mustangs to their fourth-straight Class 4 District 3 championship, as well as their fourth consecutive appearance in the Missouri State Tournament, batted .384 with a team-best .574 slugging percentage, 28 runs, 24 RBIs, eight doubles and five home runs. Named to the all-district first team, all-conference second team and all-region second team a senior. As a junior, she was named to the all-district and all-conference second teams.
Kaitlin Woodruff | INF | 5-6 | Cunningham, TN (Montgomery Central HS)
As a junior, she was named to the 10-AAA First-Team All-District Team after batting over .500 with nine home runs for the Indians, as well as earning a spot on the District 10-AAA All-Tournament Team and The Leaf-Chronicle All-Area First Team. Was also named team MVP and Silver Slugger Award winner. Named to 10-AAA All-District First Team and The Leaf-Chronicle All-Area First Team following sophomore season.
