Lady Cavs’ Softball Signs First Three for Class of 2008

January 15, 2007

Duwana Poore
Megan McCoy
Candace Winslow

Wise, VA – The highly-successful University of Virginia’s College at Wise signed three players for the 2008 season to keep the run in the Appalachian Athletic Conference going in the future. The Lady Cavs’ head coach Tori Raby-Gentry announced the recent signing of Duwana Poore, Megan McCoy and Candace Winslow.

UVA-Wise has won the AAC four of the past five years and made a 2005 trip the NAIA national playoffs. Coach Raby-Gentry has a two-year record of 73-38 (.658) in her first two years at the helm and has a young and talented team primed for another run in 2006.

Poore will join the Lady Cavs as a junior transfer from Motlow State Community College (TN). The versatile player is a pitcher as well as playing third base and outfield. The 2005 graduate of Patrick Henry High School had a stellar on the mound. During her high school career, she was named to the All-District Hogoheegee, All Region-C Team, and All-State Team her junior year. Duwana’s senior year she batted .512 with 2 home runs and was 24-1 record on the hill.

Duwana was 3-4 with a 3.68 ERA pitching and hit two homers and drove in five runs her first year at Motlow State. Poore is project to come in and make an immediate impact for UVA-Wise where she will see time in the circle, as well as on the corner and in the outfield.

McCoy and Winslow both were recruited from the tough high school softball ranks of the Virginia Beach area by Raby-Gentry. Both are expected to see time on the field in their first seasons.

A Princess Anne High product, McCoy ( Virginia Beach, Va.) compiled some impressive numbers for the high school and Galaxy Stars travel teams. Megan produced a 17-3 record on the mound 91 Ks in 113 IP and 1.25 ERA. She competes in one of the toughest districts in the state. Megan has good speed and will offer a nice variety to our pitching staff with her rise ball and good change up. McCoy, with some fine tuning, will be a top competitor in our conference.

Third baseman/catcher Winslow hails from Indian River High School in Chesapeake, Va. Candace played for the Orion Hunter travel team. She attended a try-out for the United States Olympic Team. In order to try-out for the Olympic Team for infielders and outfielders, you must have a bat speed of 50 mph (min), run home to first base in 2.95 sec. (max), have a throwing speed of 55 mph (min), run from home to home in 12.5 sec. (max), and be able to do 30 push ups. Winslow will add offense to the Lady Cavs’ lineup as she has good speed and can hit for power. Candace will add depth to third base and catcher. She is a true competitor that will make an immediate impact on our program.

The 2007 UVA-Wise softball team will open its season on February 16 and 17 th at the Rhinehardt College Tournament in Waleska, Georgia.