Nov. 5, 2007
ATLANTA – After a record-setting season in 2006, Georgia Tech head softball coach Sharon Perkins has received a contract extension, director of athletics Dan Radakovich announced today. Perkins signed a one-year extension through the 2010 season.
“Sharon Perkins is the coach to continue building our softball program,” Radakovich said. There is a solid foundation in place with the strong recruiting class that Sharon has assembled. Her continued drive towards excellence and winning championships has our student-athletes and administration excited about the program’s future.”
In her first season at Tech in 2006, Perkins led the Jackets to a school record 54 wins, while setting Atlantic Coast Conference records in home runs (96), batting average (.322) and slugging percentage (.536). The Jackets return seven position starters next season and two of their three pitchers. They has been picked by Graham Hayes of ESPN.COM to be in the mix of top teams in 2008.
“I am so thankful to be working for such outstanding leaders as Dan Radakovich and [Senior Women’s Administrator] Theresa Wenzel,” Perkins said. “I am honored that Dan and our administration have the faith in me to allow me to lead this team.”
“Georgia Tech and its student athletes are a perfect representation of what collegiate athletics is all about. Our players get it done on the field and when they leave here with a degree in hand, they will be tomorrow’s leaders.”
Highlighting the returners will be senior Aileen Morales. A shortstop from Columbus, Ga., she spent the summer playing with the Puerto Rican National Team and competed in several International tournaments including the Pan Am Games and Canada Cup following her NFCA All-American junior season.
Academic All-American Whitney Haller also returns, along with 20-plus home run hitters Savannah Brown and Brittany Barnes. Haller, a first baseman from Marietta, Ga., already has 39 career home runs, 10 shy of the ACC record. Brown, a catcher from San Diego, Calif., set a new ACC record with 76 RBIs, while Barnes, a third baseman from Lawrenceville, Ga., drove in 73 runs, second all-time in the ACC annals.
“We had two All-Americans last year for the first time in the history of the program, and now we have two members of our program that are going to compete in the 2008 Olympics for the Canadian National Team [Caitlin Lever and Jennifer Yee]. We are excited about competing in the 2008 season and for many years to come.”
Tech opens the 2008 season Feb. 9 at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic. The Jackets will face Lipscomb, Georgia State and Tennessee-Martin in pool play. The 2008 home opener will be March 4 when Tech hosts Virginia in an ACC series.
