MARTIN, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team, coming off its first Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship and a NCAA Tournament berth, began its reloading process during the early signing period. The Skyhawks began the process to replace the 2009 OVC Tournament MVP, Kara Harper, by inking a top pitching prospect, while also stuffing the hitting corps with power.

"On paper this is the best recruiting class I've had as a coach," said head coach Donley Canary. "After winning the conference tournament and going to the NCAA Tournament last year it has really helped bringing in a class like this that will help us continue at a level where we can go back to many more NCAA Tournaments."

The 2010 UT Martin softball recruiting class is made up of eight new Skyhawks with four Volunteer State natives, along with one signee each from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Washington.

Lydia Biggerstaff, David Lipscomb High School (Nashville, Tenn.)

Biggerstaff joins the Skyhawks from David Lipscomb High School in Nashville, Tenn., where she was a two-sport athlete playing both softball and volleyball. On the diamond Biggerstaff helped lead her Mustangs squad to a pair of district crowns in 2008 and 209, while also finishing runner-up in 2006. She also helped her team to a region runner-up finish during the 2008 season. Biggerstaff also collected numerous individual accolades; including setting the David Lipscomb school record for hits, batting average, RBI, on-base percentage, doubles and homeruns in a single season in 2008.

Biggerstaff was also named to the TSWA All-State team in 2008 to go along with MTSA All-Mid-State First Team selection. She earned spots on the Tennessean's All-Mid-State Third Team in 2008 and 2009, while also being named the district most outstanding player in 2008. She has been a three-time all-district first team selection, and earned all-district honorable mention accolades as a freshman in 2006.

"Lydia is a very strong and powerful hitter who will come in with immediate potential to be a homerun hitter," noted Canary. "She will challenge for a starting role at first base from day one, in addition to have the versatility to get in the lineup at third and designated player too."

Kaitlin Blomgren, Tumwater High School (Tumwater, Wash.)

Blomgren joins the Skyhawks from Tumwater High School in Tumwater, Wash., where she was a standout on the diamond. She helped her T-Bird team to a fourth place finish in the Evergreen Conference in 2009 in addition to a fourth place showing at the Washington State Championships. Individually she was a Washington All-State first team selection as a freshman in 2007, while also being named to the all-area and all-league first teams. In 2008 she was named to the COSparkler Tournament All-Star Team along with earning the scholarship award at the Blue chip Invite.

Canary said of Blomgren that, "she is a very strong and athletic catcher who has the prototypical catcher arm and blocks well behind the plate. She was recruited by a number of large west coast schools and is a great pickup for our program that will compete for immediate playing time."

Amanda Brandenburg, Camden High School (Camden, Tenn.)

Brandenburg joins the Skyhawks from nearby Camden High School in Camden, Tenn., where she was a two-sport athlete playing both softball and basketball. On the diamond Brandenburg helped lead her team to a record of 49-17 over the last three years and three Tennessee State Tournament appearances in 2007, 2008 and 2009. In the 2007 trip to the Tennessee State Tournament, she helped the Lions reach the title game and finish runner-up. Brandenburg has tallied 424 strikeouts and an ERA of only 1.71 in the circle, while hitting .368 with 163 RBI and 18 homeruns for the Lions over the last three seasons.

Individually Brandenburg was named the 2007 Newcomer of the Year, while also appearing on the all-district and all-district tournament and all-state teams. The following year in 2008, she again earned a spot on the all-district and all-district tournament teams, while also making it three consecutive appearances on the all-district team in 2009.

"Amanda is a great local from Camden that has tremendous power from left side of the plate," said Canary. She will come in and likely play immediately in the outfield for us next year."

Megan Chesney, Riverdale High School (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)

Chesney joins the Skyhawks from Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., which is widely regarded as the top high school program in the state of Tennessee. Chesney helped lead the Warriors to four consecutive district crowns, along with a regional title in 2008 and a Tennessee State Championship in 2009. Chesney made an impact for Riverdale from day one, earning all-area first team honors from the Daily News Journal as a freshman in 2007. As a sophomore in 2008, she was named to the all-district first team, all-district tournament first team and the all-area first time. Last season as a junior in 2009, she again appeared on the all-area team as a second team member, while earning MTSCA Third Team honors and her first appearance on the all-state third team.

"Megan has a great winning attitude coming from Riverdale, which is one of the top high school programs in the state of Tennessee," said Canary. "She will have the opportunity to play third base for us, while also being available behind the plate and in the outfield. On offense she is a strong hitter with quick feet and a great knowledge of the game."

Morgan Harrell, Reidland High School (Paducah, Ky.)

Harrell joins the Skyhawks from Reidland High School in Paducah, Ky., where she was a standout for the three-time Kentucky All-A State Classic champion Greyhounds. Harrell helped lead Reidland to three consecutive Kentucky state titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008. She also helped her team advance to the Kentucky State Tournament twice, with seventh place finish in 2008 and fifth place showing in 2005.

Individually, Harrell picked up a number of accolades during her career. In 2007 she earned a spot on the All-A State Classic All-Tournament Team, and then earned a second consecutive appearance on the team in 2008 as well. In 2008 she also appeared on the all-district and all-district tournament teams, while also earning a spot on the all-state academic team with her performance in the classroom.

"Morgan can come in and help re-strengthen our catching position the year," said Canary. "She receives the ball and works behind the plate very well. In addition to providing just depth at the position, she will compete for time behind the plate from day one. She is also another powerful hitter in this class that will give us a homerun threat at the plate."

Morgan Lewis, Lutheran High School (Indianapolis, Ind.)

Lewis joins the Skyhawks from Lutheran High School in Indianapolis, Ind., where she helped lead her team to an Indiana state championship in 2007. She also helped her team reach the Indiana state championship game in 2008 and 2009. Lewis' performance on the field earned her numerous accolades, including being named to the 2009 All-State, All-Metro South and All-County Teams. She was also named to the All-State, All-Metro South and All-County team in 2008 in addition to selections to the all-district, all-county and All-Metro South teams in 2007.

Lewis also found great success with her travel team, twice finishing ninth at the ASA Nationals and a pair of top five finishes at the AFA Nationals.

"Morgan is easily the most decorated high school pitcher that I have signed in my career," said Canary. "She can come in and make an immediate impact on our team and has the ability to pitch every day at a high level if needed. She is also an outstanding hitter and will have a shot to get in the lineup everyday as the designated player on days she isn't in the circle."

Stephanie Nidiffer, Goodpasture Christian School (Madison, Tenn.)

Nidiffer joins the Skyhawks from Goodpasture Christian School in Madison, Tenn., where she was a part of three consecutive Tennessee State Tournament champion teams, and four that appeared in the Tennessee State Tournament title game. Nidiffer's Goodpasture Cougars captured the Tennessee State Championship in 2006, 2007 and 2008 before being suffering a tough loss in the 2009 title game. En route to picking up three state titles in four years, Nidiffer also helped lead her team to four consecutive district and regional championships.

Nidiffer also picked up a number of individual accolades, which most recent and notably of which was being named the district tournament MVP in 2009. She was also a 2009 selection to the all-mid-state team and given the team's "heart" award in both 2008 and 2009. In her sophomore season Nidiffer was also named the Cougars most improved player.

Canary said of Nidiffer that, "Stephanie will compete for middle infield spot at short stop or second base from day one. She also has the ability to pitch and hopefully can help us there as well. At the plate she is a strong and powerful hitter that can hit a homerun off any pitch."

Kayla Wade, Belleville East (Belleville, Ill.)

Wade joins the Skyhawks from Belleville East High School in Belleville, Ill., where she was a three-sport athlete playing softball, basketball and golf. On the diamond Wade was named third team all-conference as a sophomore and moved up to second team all-conference her junior year. She was also a standout on the links, leading her Lancer team to back-to-back conference championships as a junior and senior while also collecting a pair of third team all-conference accolades.

Canary said about Wade that, "she is a truly gifted outfielder, and maybe the fastest we've ever had here. At the plate she is a lefty who can slap and hit for power and we look forward to the positive things that can happen by having her in our lineup."