Trojan News

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Trevecca softball Coach Ben Tyree is pleased to announce the addition of pitcher Natalie Papini of Murfreesboro, Tenn., to the program's 2011-2012 recruiting class. Papini was a high school teammate of current Trojan Breanna Zeis at Blackman HS and started her college career at Tennessee State University in 2010, before transferring to MTSU last year to concentrate on her studies.

"We are excited that Natalie has joined our 2012 recruiting class," says Coach Tyree. "She is an excellent student that realized how much she missed playing softball last year."

Papini played for Coach Scott Dorsett at Blackman HS, where she was named the Daily News-Journal Pitcher of the Year and made the AAA All-State Team in 2008. She also earned All District 7-AAA First Team honors from 2006-2009, capping her high school career with a TN-KY All-Star selection as a senior in 2009.

The 5-foot seven righthander holds Blackman career records for wins (86), strikeouts (974), shutouts (28), and no-hitters (11). She also holds single-season records for wins (24), appearances (35), complete games (34), shutouts (10), no-hitters (5), and strikeouts in a single game (17).

She played travel ball for Coaches Jeff Breeden and Scott Dorsett and the Murfreesboro Firebirds, helping the team to the 2008 USFA World Series title.

Off the field, Papini is an excellent student who was Valedictorian of her Senior Class in 2009 and was named to the MTSCA All-Academic Team in 2008 and 2009.

"Natalie definitely is an example of the student-athlete that we are so proud of here at Trevecca," says Coach Tyree. "We look forward to seeing her back on the field soon."

Papini is the daughter of Dennis and Karen Papini.