Grant, Sullivan, and Clegg Named Among Top Newcomers

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - West Alabama softball members Rylie Grantz, Riley Sullivan, and Taylor Clegg were named as top newcomers in the 2022 Gulf South Conference Preseason Polls.

First and third baseman Grantz is a Lexington, Ky. native. The freshman graduated from Lafayette High School.

Sullivan is a outfielder from Birmingham, Ala. The incoming freshman graduated from Oak Mountain High School.

Clegg is a utility player coming in as a freshman. The Gordo, Ala. native graduated from Gordo High School.

Kacy Noland and Cassie Matlock are also returning for the Tigers. Both were named All-GSC Second Team at the end of the 2021 season.

Matlock, a junior from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, led the Tigers in the 2021 season and was in the league's top 15, hitting a .374 batting average. Her 37 hits also led the Tigers with a total of 14 RBIs.

Noland, a sophomore from Carrollton, Ala., pitched a total of 94.2 innings and led the Tigers in strikeouts with 49 in the 2021 season. She finished the season with a 8-10 record with a 3.99 earned runs average. Followed by Matlock was Noland hitting .349 with 29 hits and 12 RBIs.

The Tigers were picked 10th in the preseason polls. Auburn Montgomery was favored by the GSC coaches and picked first in the poll.

Below is a full list of the GSC Preseason Polls and Top Newcomers

Preseason Polls | Top Newcomers

West Alabama finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 18-23 under Carie Dever Boaz. The Tigers return under UWA head coach Stephanie Defeo and open the 2022 season up at the Gulf Coast Invitational against Drury University on February 4. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. in Gulf Shores, Ala.

To stay connected with the UWA softball team, follow @UWASoftball on Instagram and @UWA_Softball on Twitter. General athletic news, along with game recaps and box scores, can be found at uwaathletics.com. Additional updates and information are available @UWAAthletics on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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Players Mentioned

#42 Cassie Matlock: OF; 5' 9"; Senior; L/R

#33 Kacy Noland: RHP/1B; 5' 8"; Graduate Student; R/R

#7 Rylie Grantz: 1B/3B; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

#24 Riley Sullivan: OF; 5' 2"; Freshman; R/R

#6 Taylor Clegg: Util.; 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#42 Cassie Matlock
: 5' 9"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#33 Kacy Noland
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student; R/R
: RHP/1B

#7 Rylie Grantz
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: 1B/3B

#24 Riley Sullivan
: 5' 2"; Freshman; R/R
: OF

#6 Taylor Clegg
: 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: Util.