University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball coach Frank Reed announced a sixth recruit for his 2012 signing class Friday with the addition of outfielder Sam Taylor of Chickamauga, Ga.
Taylor, a four-year letter winner at Gordon Lee, helped the Lady Trojans earn their second consecutive Georgia Class A state championship recently. Her high school coach is Dana Mull, a former UTC standout and Reed's daughter.
Another UTC family connection led to the signing of Isabella Loza from Bucaramanga, Colombia, for the women's golf team. She is the sister of current team member Maria Juliana Loza.
"Sam fulfills a need for us as a leadoff hitter," Reed said in a UTC release. "She led her high school in batting average and may be one of the best, pure hitters that we have recruited here. We are excited about getting her involved in fulfilling the leadoff spot that Lyndsey Stiles left [last year]."
Taylor was an all-state and all-region first-team selection in 2009 and 2010 and is a two-time Best of Preps selection.
UTC women's golf coach Colette Murray said the younger Loza will be a good addition to her Mocs.
"I love this family," Murray said. "They are a delight, and to add a player of Isabella's ability means even more. She has played many high-level tournaments and will push to be in the lineup immediately."
Isabella Loza won the 2011 Colombian national championship and qualified for the 2011 U.S. Women's Amateur.