Nov. 19, 2009

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 678-2444

MEMPHIS - The University of Memphis softball program added two more signees for the 2010-11 season with Taylor Nicolosi and Ijiah Hargrove joining the Tigers head coach Windy Thees announced on Thursday. The two bring the Memphis softball signing class to four during the early signing period which ends this week.

Nicolosi plays shortstop at Orange High School in Orange, Calif., coached by Jennifer Tellerson. A first team all-league all four seasons at Orange, Nicolosi led her school in batting average and will be entered into Orange High's Hall of Fame.

"Taylor is a true shortstop who is a great hitter and has strong arm," Thees said. "She's really an instinctive infielder. We think Taylor is going to be a great addition to our team. She is more of a Cal Ripken type shortstop. She's just a big kid; both tall and strong, but moves really well like a smaller infielder."

In 2007 as a freshman, Nicolosi boasted a .456 batting average with 23 RBI, 24 runs scored and three home runs in 79 at bats. She hit .571 as a junior in 2009 with 19 RBI, 28 runs scored and four home runs.

A travel club member in both softball and soccer, Nicolosi plays travel softball with the California Cruisers 18 Gold team. Previous to her current club team, she played with the So Cal Athletics 16Uand helped the team finish fifth at the ASA nationals in Sioux Falls, S.D. Nicolosi has also played travel ball with the So Cal Batbusters 14U that placed third at the ASA nationals. She played soccer at left full back for the Newport Beach Slammers.

Ijiah Hargrove

Nicolosi is experienced in taekwondo and began taking lessons at age three. She earned her black belt in the sport before turning eight. Nicolosi also played volleyball at Orange High and helped her team win its league in 2009. Other activities she participates in at Orange include choir and drama.

Nicolosi is the daughter of Kameron Krause.

Hargrove is a senior infielder at Harrison Central High School in Gulfport, Miss., coached by Jimmy Dale Parker. An all-district and all-south selection, Hargrove holds a .307 career batting average with 119 hits, 120 runs, 44 RBI and 55 walks.

"Ijiah is the fastest kid you'll see around," Thees said. "She's a good ballplayer who can play infield and outfield. She can really do it all. We're really excited to have her on our team and excited to see what position she ends up playing the best at."

Primarily playing shortstop and second base, Hargrove hit .360 in 2009. She helped Harrison Central win the South State Championship in 2007. She is the first softball player out of HCHS to sign a scholarship since 2003.

Hargrove is also a member of the Math Honors Club and the National Honors Society. She the daughter of Warren and Tricia Hargrove.

2010-11 Memphis Softball Signing Class
Ashley Ford, Utility, Dickson County High School/Dickson County, Tenn.
Ijiah Hargrove, INF/OF, Harrison Central High School/Gulfport, Miss.
Ashleigh King, SS/OF, Cor Jesu Academy/St. Louis, Mo.
Taylor Nicolosi, SS, Orange High School/Orange, Calif.