Fairhope’s Harrison headlines seven-signee class for South Alabama softball

Pirate pitcher looking to add to her five no-hitters, two perfect games in final high school season

By Cole McNanna
Sports Editor
cole@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 11/17/22

Fairhope senior Ryley Harrison made her verbal commitment to the South Alabama Jaguar softball squad over a year ago, Oct. 25, 2021, and now she’ll be joined by six others who will take their …

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Fairhope’s Harrison headlines seven-signee class for South Alabama softball

Pirate pitcher looking to add to her five no-hitters, two perfect games in final high school season

Posted

Fairhope senior Ryley Harrison made her verbal commitment to the South Alabama Jaguar softball squad over a year ago, Oct. 25, 2021, and now she’ll be joined by six others who will take their talents to Mobile ahead of the 2024 season.

The 6’ pitcher is looking to help the Pirates to a third straight state tournament and add to the 18 shutouts, five no-hitters and two perfect games she’s thrown in the last three seasons. She’s also registered a 0.96 ERA to go along with 345 strikeouts in 175 innings pitched where opposing hitters have recorded a .132 batting average.

South Alabama head coach Becky Clark understood Harrison’s talent level coming out of high school and sees her making an impact right out of the gates.

“Ryley is one of the best overall players coming out of our state in the 2023 class,” Clark said in the release. “As a right-handed pitcher, she possesses a great combination of power and spin, which result in a ton of swing and misses. She will make an immediate impact on our bullpen as she continues to develop strength and gain experience.”

She’s also produced at the plate with a .427 batting average, 100 hits in 95 games – including 24 home runs, 18 doubles and 5 triples – 104 RBIs and 64 runs scored.

“Ryley hits as well and has the ability to drive the ball to all parts of the field,” Clark said. “Her character, grit, and work ethic are going to make her a very special player at South Alabama.”

Those efforts have also helped Harrison garner second-team all-state recognition from the Alabama Sports Writers Association the last two seasons, as well as earned a spot on the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s North-South All-Star team this summer.

She’s also played six years of travel ball in the Alabama Thunderbolts organization where she was MVP of the 2021 Colorado Sparkler Futures Game. This summer, Harrison was an integral part of Georgia Impact’s run to winning the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championship in California.