Charlotte Morgan (softball player)
Encyclopedia
Charlotte Lee Morgan is a professional softball player signed with the USSSA Pride
based out of Kissimmee, Florida
. She is an alumnus of the Alabama Crimson Tide and was the first pick in the 2010 National Pro Fastpitch Senior Draft, beginning her career with The USSSA Florida Pride, which is part of the National Pro Fastpitch
League (NPF).
and grew up in Moreno Valley, California
. She is the daughter of Chris Morgan and Lori Morgan, with three brothers and two sisters. She started playing softball at the age of nine.
She attended Moreno Valley High School for three years and was a recognized Scholar-Athlete. She continued on to neighboring Valley View High School during her senior year.
In 2003, as a freshman in high school, Morgan received first-team All-League honors, as well as first-team Team All-County honors in softball. She was honored as the league MVP and Rookie of the Year. In addition to softball, Morgan played basketball and was named Outstanding Basketball Player and team MVP on the 2003 league championship team.
In 2004, in her sophomore year, Morgan continued playing softball and was named a first-team All-League honoree. In 2005, as a junior in high school, Morgan received second-team All-League honors in softball.
In 2006, as a senior at Valley View High School, Morgan was a first-team All-League honoree, earned first-team Team All-County honors, as well as Athlete of the Year and the league's Most Valuable Player. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, finishing 13th in her class.
In 2009 and 2010, Morgan was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year, becoming the second player in SEC history to receive this honor twice in her career. She has made the first-team All-SEC for the 2010 season.
During her collegiate career, Morgan earned athletic awards including the USA Softball Player of the Year Top 10 finalist and ESPN Magazine's Academic third-team All-American. Morgan ended the 2010 regular season with a 7–2 pitching record and a .350 batting average as well as leading the team with 16 home runs. Morgan was a key player for the University of Alabama's offense, becoming the first player in Crimson Tide's history with three 50 or more RBI seasons.
She led Alabama in all three major hitting categories in her final season, pacing the Tide with a .406 batting average, 11 home runs and 59 RBI. She also led the team with a .673 slugging percentage and a .505 on base percentage.
In 2010, Morgan received the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. The honor is presented annually to the most outstanding senior player in NCAA Division I softball. The recipient is chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I softball coaches, media, and fans. The announcement and presentation was June 3, 2010, during the opening day of the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Following the draft, Morgan stated, "It is an honor to be able to have the opportunity to further my career. To be able to play professionally has always been a goal of mine. I wouldn't be in this position if it weren't for the coaching staff and my teammates at Alabama.
USSSA Pride
The USSSA Pride, formerly known as the Washington Glory, are a women's softball team based in Kissimmee, Florida in the United States. The USSSA Pride became a part of the National Pro Fastpitch League in 2009. In their first season, the Pride were the runner-up in the NPF Championship. The name...
based out of Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,682. It is the county seat of Osceola County...
. She is an alumnus of the Alabama Crimson Tide and was the first pick in the 2010 National Pro Fastpitch Senior Draft, beginning her career with The USSSA Florida Pride, which is part of the National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch , formerly the Women's Pro Softball League , is the only professional women's softball league in the United States. The WPSL was founded in 1997 and folded in 2001. The NPF revived the league in 2004 and currently features four teams: USSSA Pride, Akron Racers, Chicago...
League (NPF).
Personal background
Morgan was born in Riverside, CaliforniaRiverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
and grew up in Moreno Valley, California
Moreno Valley, California
Moreno Valley is a city located in Riverside County, California.A relatively young city, its rapid growth in the 1980s and the first decade of the 21st century made it second-largest city in Riverside County by population, and one of the Inland Empire's population centers. As of the 2010 census,...
. She is the daughter of Chris Morgan and Lori Morgan, with three brothers and two sisters. She started playing softball at the age of nine.
She attended Moreno Valley High School for three years and was a recognized Scholar-Athlete. She continued on to neighboring Valley View High School during her senior year.
In 2003, as a freshman in high school, Morgan received first-team All-League honors, as well as first-team Team All-County honors in softball. She was honored as the league MVP and Rookie of the Year. In addition to softball, Morgan played basketball and was named Outstanding Basketball Player and team MVP on the 2003 league championship team.
In 2004, in her sophomore year, Morgan continued playing softball and was named a first-team All-League honoree. In 2005, as a junior in high school, Morgan received second-team All-League honors in softball.
In 2006, as a senior at Valley View High School, Morgan was a first-team All-League honoree, earned first-team Team All-County honors, as well as Athlete of the Year and the league's Most Valuable Player. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, finishing 13th in her class.
University of Alabama
Morgan attended the University of Alabama, choosing Alabama over both UCLA and Texas. Morgan was one of the most highly decorated incoming freshman in Crimson Tide softball history.In 2009 and 2010, Morgan was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year, becoming the second player in SEC history to receive this honor twice in her career. She has made the first-team All-SEC for the 2010 season.
During her collegiate career, Morgan earned athletic awards including the USA Softball Player of the Year Top 10 finalist and ESPN Magazine's Academic third-team All-American. Morgan ended the 2010 regular season with a 7–2 pitching record and a .350 batting average as well as leading the team with 16 home runs. Morgan was a key player for the University of Alabama's offense, becoming the first player in Crimson Tide's history with three 50 or more RBI seasons.
She led Alabama in all three major hitting categories in her final season, pacing the Tide with a .406 batting average, 11 home runs and 59 RBI. She also led the team with a .673 slugging percentage and a .505 on base percentage.
In 2010, Morgan received the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. The honor is presented annually to the most outstanding senior player in NCAA Division I softball. The recipient is chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I softball coaches, media, and fans. The announcement and presentation was June 3, 2010, during the opening day of the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
USSSA Pride
On February 10, 2010, the National Pro Fastpitch Senior Draft was held. Morgan was the first player chosen, thereby beginning her professional softball career with the USSSA Florida Pride. She was the highest draft pick ever from among members of the Crimson Tide, and the eighth player in Alabama history to be drafted in the professional league.Following the draft, Morgan stated, "It is an honor to be able to have the opportunity to further my career. To be able to play professionally has always been a goal of mine. I wouldn't be in this position if it weren't for the coaching staff and my teammates at Alabama.