STEPHENVILLE – The Tarleton TexAnn softball staff has added another early signee with the addition of Katie Welborn to the 2010-11 roster.

Welborn, a sophomore at North Central Texas College, is a catcher/infielder from Richland Hills.

“Katie is an offensive threat that is both powerful and consistent at the plate,” said Tarleton head softball coach Julie Mata.  “She's very intelligent and will bring her communication skills and leadership to us.  She knows how to win and comes to us from the very successful NCTC program that Van Hedrick leads.  His players are some of the most talented and most-competitive around.”

Welborn hit .419 last season as a freshman at NCTC and recorded 30 runs batted in, nine doubles and two home runs in just 86 at-bats.  She helped the team to a 46-18 record and a Region V North Championship.  The team was also a NJCAA National Tournament Qualifier.

In high school, Welborn was a three-time all-district selection at Birdville.  She was voted the team's Most Valuable Player twice and was a four-year letterwinner for BHS.  She was named to the National Honor Society, was a member of PALs and was named Who's Who Among American High School Students.

Welborn joins Samantha Swanda and Alexandria Orf (both of Connors State) and Kelsey Latta of Coppell as new members of the 2010-11 softball roster.