Softball Signs Three Standouts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville softball coach Sandy Pearsall has announced that three prospective student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Cardinals. Caitlin Ferguson, Shelby Graybill and Sydney Warinner will begin their collegiate softball careers in the fall of 2016.

"We are very excited about this class," said Pearsall. "They are all quality student-athletes and will have an impact on our program as we continue to compete for an ACC championship. We have a great pitcher in Sydney Warinner, a quick and talented shortstop in Caitlin Ferguson and Shelby Graybill, a catcher/first baseman who not only has a great arm, but also great power in her bat."

Caitlin Ferguson
Position: Shortstop
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown/High School: Versailles, Ky./Woodford County High School
Travel Team: Louisville Sluggers

Caitlin Ferguson joins the Cardinals from Versailles, Ky., and is a four-time varsity starter Woodford County High School. The 2015 second team all-state selection was named to the East/West all-star game and is a two-time all-district team member. Ferguson garnered her team's defensive and leadership awards as a junior and earned offensive honors as a sophomore.

The two-sport athlete is a five-year letterwinner in basketball and earned all-district honors in 2015.

Ferguson is also successful in the classroom, earning academic all-state honorable mention her junior season and academic team honorable mention her freshman and sophomore seasons.

In addition to playing at Woodford County, Ferguson also plays for the Louisville Sluggers travel ball club.

Sandy Pearsall on Caitlin Ferguson
"Caitlin has grown into such a tremendous player who plays hard and loves the game. She has great overall quickness, very good hands and a strong arm. She can also hit with power. Caitlin is excited about being a Cardinal and will help our team both offensively and defensively."

Caitlin Ferguson on Louisville
"It is a very welcoming environment. The coaching staff and the players made me feel like I was already attending the university. My dream has been to play major college softball at the highest level. At Louisville, I know I will be competing against the best talent in the country. The facilities are phenomenal. And I love the atmosphere both academically and athletically. The games at Ulmer Stadium are so cool. I've always wanted to play and see fans sitting all around the field. I cannot wait to continue my softball career at the University of Louisville. Go Cards!!"

Shelby Graybill
Position: Catcher/First base
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown/High School: Ft. Thomas, Ky./Highlands High School
Travel Team: Cincy Static 98 Elite

Shelby Graybill joins the Cardinals from Ft. Thomas, Ky., where she is a six-year letterwinner and Offensive MVP for Highlands High School. The 2015 Northern Kentucky Player of the Year was also named 2015 Spring Athlete of the year by the Cincinnati Enquirer. As a junior, she earned first team all-state honors after batting .586 with 12 homeruns and 50 RBIs. She has only struck out three times in the past three seasons.
The two-time Regional MVP helped lead Highlands High School to its first regional championship in 2014. That season, she was also tabbed the 2014 Northern Kentucky Co-Player of the Year.

Her success on the field carries over to the classroom as she has been named to the honor roll the past three years and has earned the school's Bluebird Award for athletic and academic achievement as a sophomore and junior.

In addition to playing for Highlands, Graybill is also a member of the Cincy Static 98 Elite travel ball club.

When choosing Louisville, she also considered Bowling Green State.

Sandy Pearsall on Shelby Graybill
"In talking to Shelby, it was clear that she has tremendous desire to play for Louisville. She has great power in her bat and a very good arm along with a strong work ethic. Shelby is capable of being a catcher as well as a first baseman and we value her versatility."

Shelby Graybill on the University of Louisville
"I chose Louisville because it is my dream school, the level I want to play at with a great program, and a great school in general."

Sydney Warinner
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown/High School: New Albany, Ohio/New Albany High School
Travel Team: Beverly Bandits

Sydney Warinner joins the Cardinals from New Albany, Ohio where she is a four-year letterwinner for New Albany High School. The 2015-16 team captain was named the 2015 Ohio Capital Conference Capital Division Player of the Year and earned first team all-state honors after helping her team win the district title and reach the regional semifinals. Also during her junior season (2015), she set school records for strikeouts (224), ERA (0.93) and stands second in RBIs and home runs. Warinner is a two-time all-conference, all-district and all-metro first team selection.

In addition to her accolades on the field, Warinner has collected Scholar-Athlete honors in each of her seasons at New Albany.

Warinner also plays for the Beverly Bandits and helped lead her team to the 2015 18U ASA/USA Gold National title.

Before choosing Louisville, Warinner also considered Ohio State University, Miami University and Ohio University.

Sandy Pearsall on Sydney Warinner
"Sydney has attended our camps since she was very young so we've known her for a long time. Over the years I've watched her progress and grow. She has proven that she is willing to work to be a good pitcher and that effort has certainly paid off for her. She is going to be a great asset to our program."

Sydney Warinner on Louisville
"I chose the University of Louisville because I love the location, feel at home on campus, and am grateful for the opportunity to challenge myself as a student-athlete with such a major program. I also love the supportive environment created by my teammates, coaches, peers, and the entire community."

University of Louisville Athletics

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