November 25, 2002

BLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech head softball coach Scot Thomas announced Monday the signing of National Letters of Intent by two athletes who will enroll at Tech for the 2003-04 school year. The class of Karie Morrison and Ashley Yeager should provide immediate production for the 2004 season.

Morrison is a senior at Park View High School and is a native of Great Falls, Va. She helped lead her team to the Virginia Group AA state championship last year as a pitcher, the position she will play at Tech. The two-time All-Met selection has a record of 58-10 on the mound in three seasons and set a school record with 304 strikeouts last season. She also batted .471 at the plate last season. Morrison picked Virginia Tech over James Madison, UNC-Wilmington, Boston College and Auburn. She plays her summer ball for the club team Fire & Ice.

Yeager is a senior at Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Ariz. She will become the first Tech softball player from the state of Arizona. The middle infielder is expected to help the Hokies at shortstop with the departure of four-year starter Carmen Farmer after this season. Yeager was a first-team all-region selection as a junior and was the team's MVP for the infield. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. She plays her summer ball for the club team A2 L'il Saints. Yeager picked the Hokies over Arkansas and Oklahoma State.

Virginia Tech begins its 2003 season on Feb. 14 at the Triangle Classic in Raleigh, N.C. The Hokies will open up with Boston University, who is coached by former Tech assistant Amy Hayes.