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Softball Denise Gideon, Director of Media Relations

Villanova Transfer Taylor Norton Added to Roster for 2023

Joins three other newcomers for upcoming season

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina head softball coach Jim Clift today announced the addition of Villanova University transfer Taylor Norton, a 6-0 right-handed pitcher from Chesterfield, Va., for the 2023 season. She joins K.J. Ammons (Smoky Mountain High School, Sylva, N.C.), Kennedy "Tate" Stewman (Smoky Mountain High School, Sylva, N.C.) and Taylor Waitley (Scotland High School, Larinburg, N.C.).
 
Taylor Norton
Pitcher | Villanova | Cosby High School | Chesterfield, Va.
At Villanova:    
  • Made two appearances for the Wildcats before missing the rest of the season due to illness.
At Coby High School:    
  • Earned four varsity letters in softball and was also an outside hitter on the volleyball team during her scholastic career.
  • Named the Richmond Times Dispatch Player of the Year as a senior and was previously selected to the newspaper's first team All-Metro squad as a sophomore.
  • Garnered all-conference and all-region accolades her freshman and sophomore seasons in addition to being named an all-state pick as a sophomore.
  • During her career posted a record of 57-6 with 518 strikeouts spanning 387 innings pitched.
  • As a senior tallied a 17-0 record with 181 strikeouts and a 0.40 ERA while leading her team to an undefeated season and a Virginia 6A state title.
  • Pitched a perfect game with 15 strikeouts in the state semifinals her senior year.
Clift Quote: "We are very excited to have Taylor Norton as part of our Catamount family. Taylor will not only bring a strong resume to the Whee, but Taylor knows who she is and what she wants to accomplish. Taylor has a strong set of core values and has the competitive edge a player needs to be successful at this level. I am very excited to see Taylor in a Catamount uniform."
 
K.J. Ammons
Catcher | Smoky Mountain High School | Sylva, N.C.   
Senior: All-Conference, All-District, All-State, Conference Player of the Year
Junior: All-Conference, All-Region, All-State
Sophomore: Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • As a senior, assisted Smoky Mountain to a record of 13-9 and a Mountain 7 conference championship reaching the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs.
  • As a junior, helped Smoky Mountain to a 10-2 record in a historic season that saw the Mustangs win the Mountain 6 Conference and advancing to the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs.
  • In her junior year had a .581 batting average with 19 runs scored, 25 hits, 16 RBI and eight home runs.
  • Entering her freshman year at Smoky Mountain she was ranked 45th on the website's Elite Top 50 Prospects of the Class of 2022.
Clift Quote: "K.J. has been coming to WCU softball camps since she was 8-years old. She made her decision to become part of the Catamount softball family with her eyes wide open. She knows the program, players, and staff as well as anyone making the jump to college ball can. K.J. has a big stick and will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact on our offense."
 
Kennedy "Tate" Stewman
Infield | Smoky Mountain High School | Sylva, N.C.   
Senior: All-Conference, All-Region, All-State
Junior: All-Conference, All-Region, All-State
Sophomore: Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Freshman: All-Conference
  • As a senior, Named Jackson County Senior Athlete of the Year helping her team, Smoky Mountain, to a record of 13-9 and a Mountain 7 conference championship reaching the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs.
  •  In her senior campaign had a .530 batting average hitting 17 home runs. Her 17 home runs were a school record.
  • As a junior, helped Smoky Mountain to a 10-2 record in a historic season that saw the Mustangs win the Mountain 6 Conference and advancing to the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs.
  • In her junior year had a .489 batting average with a .538 on base percentage and a 1.089 slugging percentage.
Clift Quote: "Tate is an incredible leader. If leadership is a talent, then Tate is gifted. She is a "I got your back" kind of teammate. Like K.J., Tate has been coming to our camps since she was a little girl and is already an ambassador for our program. A corner infielder who can hit for average and power."
 
Taylor Waitley
Catcher / Outfield | Scotland High School | Laurinburg, N.C.    
Senior: Conference Player of the Year, All-Conference, All-District, All-State
Junior: Defensive MVP, Co-Captain
Freshman: All-Conference, Offensive MVP
  • As a senior, assisted her team to a 21-3 record and a conference title.
  • Had a .430 batting average and a .995 fielding percentage as a senior.
  • Team had a 9-4 record in her junior campaign as the season was shortened by COVID-19.
  • In 13 games as a junior had a .300 batting average.
  • In her full freshman season, helped Scotland High School to a 12-10 record as the team reached the third round of the state playoffs.
  • As a freshman, had a .406 batting average.
Clift Quote: "Taylor is a very accomplished catcher, who could probably already start defensively on most college teams. She is mechanically solid with a good arm and is very quick moving out from behind the plate. Taylor is a solid hitter with some pop. She is a great fit for our Team and will complement our team chemistry very nicely."
 
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