COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Sophomore pitcher Katie Marks will join the Texas A&M softball team this fall after transferring from South Carolina, Head Coach Jo Evans announced today.
The Katy, Texas, native received a hardship waiver from the Southeastern Conference, allowing her to be eligible immediately this fall. Marks’ father was diagnosed with a terminal illness in June, prompting the waiver.
“Katie Marks will be a great addition to our program and pitching staff,” Evans said. “I have known Katie and followed her progress for many years and I am impressed with her tenacity and determination. Katie did a nice job in her freshman year at South Carolina and had proven success against some of the best hitters in the country. Her year of competition in the SEC will make the transition to A&M that much easier.
“I am certainly mindful of the circumstances that bring Katie to Texas A&M, and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with her father, Alan, and their entire family. Katie comes from a family of Aggies, so she will fit right in with us and I expect Katie to be an integral part of our success.”
Marks is a 2012 graduate of Katy High School, where she played ball with Aggie senior shortstop Taran Tyler. The right-handed pitcher spent her freshman year at South Carolina, where she took SEC Freshman of the Week honors and was selected to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll. Marks drew 11 starts in the circle and made 28 appearances throughout her rookie season, recording an 8-8 record with three saves and a 3.69 ERA.
Marks and the Aggie softball team will begin preparation for the 2014 season this fall with eight exhibition games and the annual Maroon & White Series. Texas A&M and Blinn College face off in the first doubleheader of the exhibition season at the Aggie Softball Complex on Oct. 30. For a full schedule and to learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to AggieAthletics.com and follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics