Joyce Signs Six More for 2020 Season

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University softball coach Joan Joyce has announced the signing of six more student-athletes that will be eligible for the 2020 season. Along with the six players who signed in the fall, the 2019 class marks the largest in program history. The signing class is composed of 12 student-athletes, highlighted by three Division I transfers, one junior college transfer and eight rookies.

Sommer Baker
Position: Infield
Hometown: Haines City, Fla.
High School: Lake Wales
Club/Travel Team: Florida Red Rage
Expected Major: Health Science
Potential Walk-Up Song: No Sleep 'til Brooklyn by Beastie Boys

Baker is a two-time First Team All-County selection and is coming off a senior campaign where she batted .410 with 26 runs scored, 17 RBI and nine doubles. As the Polk County Ledger's 2018 Softball Hitter of the Year, Baker helped Lake Wales High School score a ticket to the state Final Four in 2019. Outside of softball, Baker finished as the state runner-up for girls weightlifting and was awarded the Polk County Ledger's Girls Weightlifter of the Year. Baker also has an International Baccalaureate diploma.

Why FAU?
"FAU offers a standout softball program where I will be able to compete while also attending a campus that feels like home."

Coach's Take on Baker:
"Sommer is a very determined kid that will get the job done, which I love to see. I'm excited to have her join the infield."

Claire Blount
Position: Lefthanded Pitcher
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Fla.
High School: Pembroke Pines Charter
Previous School: UAB
Club/Travel Team: South Florida Gold Coast
Major: Public Safety
Potential Walk-Up Song: We Fly High by Jim Jones

Blount is topping off her collegiate softball career at FAU after playing her first three years at UAB. As a Conference USA All-Freshman Team selection in 2017, Blount led the Blazers pitching staff with a 2.94 ERA, while also pitching the most innings with 162.0 complete on the season. On top of her work in the circle, Blount batted .305 with five doubles, 19 RBI and a .427 slugging percentage during her junior season. At Pembroke Pines Charter, Blount posted a 0.50 ERA as a four-year starter and set a high school record with 167 hits.

Why FAU?
"I chose FAU because it is close to home and to my family and was the perfect fit for me."

Coach Joyce's Take on Blount:
"Claire actually has experience throwing against us when she was at UAB. She is a more of a finessed pitcher and likes to keep you off-balance with the way she throws, but she is a smart pitcher and will really help us."

Gretchen Ebert
Position: Infield
Hometown: Parrish, Fla.
High School: Lakewood Ranch HS
Previous School: College of Central Florida
Club/Travel Team: Clearwater Bombers
Major: Communication
Potential Walk-Up Song: Black Skinhead by Kanye West

Ebert comes to FAU after playing two successful seasons as the starting shortstop at College of Central Florida. Following her sophomore campaign where she helped the Patriots claim their first state tournament title in program history, she became an All-State selection, All-Mid-Florida Conference Tournament Team choice and Defensive Player of the Year. She was an All-American and Flo Softball Hot 100 pick in 2019 after batting .379 with 65 runs scored, 18 doubles and 17 stolen bases. Off the field, Ebert was a two-time All-Academic Team and Dean's List recipient.

Why FAU?
"I chose FAU because it was the school that made me feel the most welcomed and comfortable. I knew it was a school I could improve my softball skills at while still being able to focus on school. I am also a native Floridian and love being next to the beach."

Coach's Take on Ebert:
"Coming from College of Central Florida, she was a very solid shortstop and committed minimal errors last season. Her team finished third at the national tournament championship and she led the team in hitting, which will help us at the plate."

Lynn Gardner
Position: Lefthanded Pitcher
Hometown: Mobile, Ala.
High School: UMS-Wright College Prep
Previous School: Mercer
Club/Travel Team: Intensity Rodriguez
Major: Civil Engineering
Potential Walk-Up Song: All of the Lights by Kanye West

Gardner will have three years of eligibility remaining after finishing her freshman season at Mercer with a 10-win season in 19 starts and 152 innings pitched. She tossed 10 complete games with one shutout and a Southern Conference League-leading eight saves. After a stellar performance in a series against Furman, Gardner was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week and was also an Honor Roll member. Prior to her stint as a Bear, Gardner was a six-year letterwinner, AHSAA North South All-Star and a three-time All-County selection in high school.

Why FAU?
"I chose FAU because it has a strong engineering program with many disciplines. The softball program has experienced great success and it is exciting to get to play for such a legend."

Coach's Take on Gardner:
"Lynn has had experience throwing against good Division I teams, including in the SoCon. She is our second lefthanded pitcher this year and throws the ball hard."

Ashley Stephenson
Position: Righthanded Pitcher
Hometown: Rockledge, Fla.
High School: Rockledge HS
Previous School: UCF
Club/Travel Team: Florida Storm Shepard
Major: Exercise Science and Health Promotion
Potential Walk-Up Song: The Way I Are by Timberland

Stephenson spent her first collegiate year in the circle at UCF and made seven appearances with 15.0 complete innings pitched. Like Gardner, she will have three seasons with the Owls. As a Knight, she earned a spot on the 2018-19 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Prior to UCF, Stephenson was a four-year Varsity letterwinner at Rockledge High School, where she was a three-time Cape Coast All-Conference Team selection, two-time All-State First Team choice and played a big role in three district tiles. Stephenson was also the 2018 Space Coast Softball Player of the Year.

Why FAU?
"I wanted to be a part of a university that supports each other and pushes to be the best version of ourselves!"

Coach's Take on Stephenson:
"Ashley has experience throwing against high-level softball schools last year, which is especially great as a freshman. She will be a part of a very talented pitching staff that I'm excited to have this season."

Bailey Story
Position: Catcher
Hometown: Keystone Heights, Fla.
High School: Keystone Heights HS
Club/Travel Team: Jacksonville Storm-Granville
Expected Major: Exercise Science
Potential Walk-Up Song: No Excuses by NF

Story will join former Keystone Heights High School teammate Ashleigh Jennings on the Owls. During her senior year, Story was a Trophy Shop Athlete of the Week, District Player of the Year and 5A Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, she was a Class 5A First Team All-State Choice, a First Coast Team selection and The Gainesville Sun All-Area First Team pick.

Why FAU?
"I chose FAU because of the beautiful campus and environment, as well as the wonderful staff and people that will surround me."

Coach's Take on Story:
"Bailey has come to a lot of camps and can hit the ball very well, which is what I like to see. She is definitely going to help us out in the catching department."

The Owls will be back in 2020 to celebrate the 26th season of the program under direction of head coach Joan Joyce. FAU will be returning five starters from the 2019 season. For offseason news and other important FAU softball updates, follow along on Twitter (@fauowlssoftball), Instagram (@Owls_softball) and Facebook, or by visiting fausports.com.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Players Mentioned

Ashleigh Jennings

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Softball versus St. Johns River (10 Innings) on October 24, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Softball versus Lynn (10 Innings) on October 25, 2025 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Softball versus Miami Dade (10 Innings) on October 29, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Softball at Eastern Florida State on November 1, 2025 at 12 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Softball versus Keiser on November 1, 2025 at 2 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Softball versus Nova Southeastern (10 Innings) on November 5, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Florida Atlantic University Athletics