By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With her team in the final months of preparation before the 2016 season gets underway in February, Tennessee Tech softball head coach Bonnie Bynum has also kept an eye toward the future with the early signing of four standout high school players who join the team in 2016-17.

The future Golden Eagles are Aalia Bivens, an infielder from South Fulton (Tenn.) High School, Demi Coleman, an infielder/outfielder from Alcoa (Tenn.) High School, Kayla Hughes, a pitcher and first baseman from Baylor School, and Raegan Sparks, an outfielder from Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis.

“Overall, this is a very exciting class. They're a great group of young ladies both on and off the field,” Bynum said. “We have everything from speed, to power, to pitching and great athleticism. This class will definitely add great depth to our roster and I am excited to have them joining our Tech Softball Family."

Aalia Bivens is the daughter of Phil and Aaronda Bivens of South Fulton, Tenn., and plans to study basic business/marketing. She lettered four years for coach Curt Lee at South Fulton High School, capturing all-district and all-region honors each of the past three years. Her career was capped this past season with all-state honors.

"Aalia is a very athletic middle infielder with great speed and a solid bat. I look for her to come in and compete right away," Bynum said.

A Top 10 student award winner as well as an all-Honor student each of the past three years, Bivens led her team all three seasons in on-base percentage, RBI and home runs. She also topped the Red Devils in stolen bases as a senior.

Demi Coleman is the daughter of Deanna and David Coleman of Maryville, Tenn., and will study business once she’s a Golden Eagle. She split her time between second base and the outfield for coach Mike Brown at Alcoa High School.

"Demi is a true triple threat from the left side,” Bynum said. “She can hit for power, bunt, and slap. I look for her to have a great four years for us at Tech."

Named all-district while leading the Tornadoes, Coleman is a member of the National Honor Society and earned a Committed to Excellence Award, which goes to students in the Top 10 percent of the class.

Kayla Hughes

is among the team’s leaders as Baylor School heads into her senior season this spring. The daughter of Pete and Karen Hughes of Chickamauga, Ga., she plans to study psychology.

Pitching and playing first base for coach Kelli Smith, Hughes has been named to the all-state team each of the past two seasons. As a sophomore she was a Best of Preps third-team selection, and earned second-team honors as a junior.  She was also an all-region pick as a junior for the Raiders.  

"Kayla is a great addition to our team,” Bynum said. “She is a versatile player who can pitch and play first base. She also has tremendous power at the plate."

Raegan Sparks

is the daughter of Ron and Kelly Sparks, and plans to major in pre-physical therapy. She is a four-year letterwinner for coach Kathy Stricker at Franklin Central High School, earned first-team all-conference honors as a junior and senior.

Helping her team to a state tournament runnerup finish in 2013, Sparks played outfield and second base for the Flashes. As a junior, she led the team in home runs, hits, doubles and RBI. This past year, she finished the year with a .445 batting average and a .776 slugging percentage.  Nearly half of her hits went for extra bases, with four home runs, six doubles and three triples, on her way to a .487 on base percentage. An unselfish player, she also had seven sacrifices.  

"Raegan is a very versatile ball player who can play multiple positions,” Bynum said. “She adds a lot of power and speed to our team."

Sparks has also excelled in the classroom during her prep career, earning an Honors diploma and a spot in the Top 10 percent of her graduating class. She has also been a regular on the Distinguished Honor Roll.