Softball: Ragin’ Cajuns Collect Third D1 Transfer, Adding Karly Heath to 2021 Roster
Versatile athlete spent the previous two seasons competing at South Carolina
LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Softball head coach Gerry Glasco announced on Tuesday (May 26, 2020) the addition of a third Division I transfer to the 2021 roster as Karly Heath, who competed at South Carolina the past two seasons, signed to join the program.
Heath, a native of North Augusta, S.C., gives Louisiana additional experience in both the pitching circle and the outfield. She saw time at both positions during her two-year stay with the SEC-member Gamecocks.
She is expected to have three seasons of eligibility remaining once she suits up for the Ragin’ Cajuns starting in 2021, as the NCAA granted an extra year of college eligibility to all spring sports participants due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Heath joins a list of recently added newcomers this spring that includes Division I transfers Jade Gortarez (Arizona State) and Vanessa Foreman (Arizona), junior college All-American Frankie Izard (Lake Land College) and Georgia high school standout Brinson Rogers (Statesboro HS).
Karly Heath (L/R, Utility/Pitcher)
Classification | Sophomore
Hometown | North Augusta, S.C.
Previous School | South Carolina
High School | North Augusta (S.C.) HS
Heath hit the ground running at South Carolina during her freshman season in 2019. She appeared in 44 games (with 21 starts) as an outfielder and hit .315 with five home runs and 16 RBI. She also appeared in 15 games as a pitcher, with 11 starts, and compiled a perfect 8-0 record with a 2.48 ERA while holding foes to a .179 batting average and surrendering only nine extra-base hits in 48 innings.
The highlight of her collegiate debut season came on April 23, 2019 when she was named SEC Freshman of the Week.
In 2020, Heath sported a 5-0 mark in the pitching circle to keep her collegiate mark unscathed (at 13-0).
Heath’s high school honors include: all-region five times, all-state three times, region player of the year three times, statewide player of the year and the Class 4A player of the year. She was also recognized as the Augusta Chronicle and Aiken Standard Softball Player of the Year four straight years and the Augusta Sports Council Player of the Year.
The left-handed hitter batted .517 with 11 home runs as a senior at North Augusta, to go along with a 14-1 record with 145 strikeouts in the circle.
While lettering in softball six years, she was also a member of the Beta Club, Spanish Club, Buddy Club, Teacher Cadet and Homecoming Court.
Competing for Georgia Impact, she faced fellow incoming transfer Vanessa Foreman at the 2018 Premier Girls Fastpitch 18-under National Championship.
Glasco’s Take
"Karly (Heath) is one of those rare athletes who possess the ability to win games not only in the circle, but with her offensive abilities that include speed on the base path and power from the left side. Her speed and size, to go along with a strong arm, makes her a very capable outfielder as well. She adds a multitude of depth and talent to our roster.
Karly has competed at the elite level of travel ball, helping lead the Georgia Impact organization to the coveted PGF 18-under national championship in 2018. During the stretch of that championship run she proved to be a tremendous hitter under pressure.
She shares our program’s desire to compete in the WCWS and compete for a national championship."
