Clift Finalizes 2025 Roster with Four Transfers

8/19/2024 12:30:00 PM

By: Greg Hartlage, Director of Media Relations

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina softball head coach Jim Clift announced the addition of four transfers to the program for the 2025 season. Junior infielder Samantha Ladowski (Pensacola State), pitcher/infielder Riley Pennington (Presbyterian), outfielder Imara Harrell (N.C. Central), and outfielder Rylee Butler (Samford) are set to join the Catamounts for the spring.

The four additions join a group of five freshman in outfielder Courtney Marks (Tampa, Fla.), outfielder Tatum Martin (Denver, N.C.), pitcher/utility AG Batson (Six Mile, S.C.), utility Ava Giglio (Irvine, Calif.) and pitcher Amanda Fulton (Woodstock, Ga.) each announced by the Catamounts earlier this month.

"Last year's roster was very small, and it looked to be that way again this year. The freshman class was not going to be big enough to mitigate the problem and we had no choice but to bring in a group of transfers," Clift said. "Last year's team was known for that 'we are family' atmosphere. Simply bringing in warm bodies was not a solution. We did not want to jeopardize our family. We could not just bring in anybody and we didn't."

"Each of these new teammates brings a strong desire to be a Catamount. Each has a special quality that will add to our team dynamic. Along with our freshman class, Imara Harrell, Rylee Butler, Riley Pennington and Sammy Ladowski have made us a significantly better team. We are lucky to have them as Catamounts!"

Samantha Ladowski – 5-11 – Infielder – Mooresville, N.C. / Pensacola State
Ladowski arrives in Cullowhee after spending the past two seasons at Pensacola State. She saw action in 65 games over her two years with the Pirates tallying 44 hits, 26 runs and 28 RBIs. The Mooresville, N.C., native recorded a .267 batting average at Pensacola State including hitting .311 (32-for-103) during her debut season in 2023.

Ladowski was named first-team All-Panhandle during her freshman campaign as she finished third on the team with her .311 average and second on the squad with eight stolen bases. Before her time with the Pirates, Ladowski was a four-year letterwinner at Lake Norman High where she totaled a .492 batting average with a .589 on-base percentage as a senior with 11 steals as she garnered all-state, all-district, all-county and all-conference recognition. As a junior, she batted .526 with 12 steals and four homers. Ladowski was named district player of the year while also receiving the same honors as her senior season.

Clift on Ladowski:
"Sammy is an outstanding defender and can swing the bat. Sammy is a softball player and can help us in every phase of the game."

Rylee Butler – 5-7 – Outfielder – Tuscaloosa, Ala. / Samford
Butler joins the Catamounts after playing the past two seasons at conference foe Samford. The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native totaled 27 games played including five starts primarily in the outfield for the Bulldogs. In 2023, Butler's first collegiate hit came against WCU as part of a 5-4 win for Samford on April 2. She added her first college steal in a road win over Chattanooga later that same season. \

Last season, Butler tallied a pair of outfield assists and five putouts in seven chances. She picked up a base knock in her debut game of 2024 against UT Martin while scoring a run in road contests with Jacksonville and Furman. Butler also picked up a pair of steals in 2024 for Samford. Prior to her time with the Bulldogs, Butler prepped at Brookwood High where she posted a personal-best .450 and swiped 21 bases for the Panthers as a junior.

Clift on Butler:
"Rylee is a player to keep an eye on. She will be coming to Catamount Softball with a chip on her shoulder. Rylee wanted three things; to be wanted, to be part of a family, and to have an opportunity. I believe she will receive all those things here at Western Carolina. Rylee is a solid defender and will add speed to what is becoming a more dynamic offense. Did I say Rylee has a chip on her shoulder?"

Riley Pennington – 5-10 – Pitcher/Infielder – Mount Airy, N.C. / Presbyterian
Pennington heads to WCU after spending 2024 at Presbyterian. During her debut collegiate season, she appeared in four games in the circle for the Blue Hose while also tallying five at bats for PC. In the circle, Pennington appeared in matchups against Youngstown State, Georgia Southern, Purdue Fort Wayne and WCU. She began the season with a shutout inning tallying a pair of strikeouts in relief against the Penguins before a scoreless 0.2 innings against Georgia Southern the following weekend with a punchout. In a nonconference matchup against Drexel, Pennington reached base via a walk and hit by pitch.

Pennington prepped at East Surry High where she was a three-time all-conference honoree, two-time All-District, and an all-state representative. She holds the ESHS record for all-time home runs and single-season home run mark. In her career she totaled over 450 strikeouts and held a .493 batting average with a .643 on-base percentage and a 1.643 OPS.

Clift on Pennington:
"Riley Pennington came with two descriptions from former coaches – she is the consummate teammate, and she rakes. Riley will find time in the circle and earn her way into the lineup. Riley will add to the team batting average and to our power numbers. I could not be more excited to see her in the purple and gold!"

Imara Harrell – 5-6 – Outfielder – Mooresville, N.C. / N.C. Central
Harrell comes to Cullowhee after spending four seasons at North Carolina Central where she was a mainstay in the Eagles lineup. She played in 122 games played over her time in Durham with 107 starts. The Mooresville, N.C., native totaled a .298 career average for NCCU as she recorded 89 hits which included a career-high 33 in her debut season with the Eagles. She finished with 17 doubles and seven triples in her career. In 2024, Harrell posted a .278 average over 42 games with 32 starts as she posted seven doubles and two triples for the Eagles. She posted 23 multi-hit games over her career in Durham. Following the 2022-23 season, Harrell garnered first-team All-MEAC honors as she posted a .431 clip against fellow MEAC schools. She also received three All-Academic Team honors from the conference.

Harrell prepped at Mooresville Senior High where she was a three-sport athlete competing in softball, track & field, and basketball programs. Harrell was named captain of both the softball and basketball programs while also receiving multiple player/athlete of the year honors in various sports.

Clift on Harrell:
"Imara is a proven Division I talent. I think the only negative we will be able to say about Imara, is we only get her for a year. Imara reaches base, can hit for power and steal a base for you. Imara will bring athleticism and a finish strong approach to our team. I believe Imara will quickly become a leader for us."

Keep track of everything related to Catamount softball and WCU Athletics through social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports), Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountSB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountsb), or go to www.CatamountSports.com.

Print Friendly Version

Western Carolina University

Schedule

Clift Finalizes 2025 Roster with Four Transfers