SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri State softball head coach Holly Hesse announced Wednesday (June 29) the addition of Holly Kelley, a right-handed pitcher, to the MSU pitching staff for 2017. In 2016, Kelley was named to both the NFCA and NJCAA Division II All-America second teams.

"It is exciting for us to bring in an All-American pitcher from the junior college ranks," commented Hesse. "Holly is a proven competitor both on the mound and at the plate. We look forward to her having an immediate impact on the success of our program."

Holly Kelley, P, 5-9, Cypress, Texas, Cy-Fair High (Hutchinson Community College)
Kelley comes to Missouri State after playing two season at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. In 2016, she was named to the NJCAA Division II and NFCA All-America second teams. She went 26-5 in the circle with a conference-leading 262 strikeouts, the third-most in the nation. She hurled two no-hitters on the year, one being a perfect game, en route to All-Jayhawk Conference first team honors. At the plate, she hit .438 with a team-high 70 hits including 17 doubles and 13 home runs. She drove in 57 runs and scored 51. Kelley led the Blue Dragons to a 38-8 overall record and No. 8 national ranking to end the season. In 2015, she went 20-9 with 134 strikeouts and a 2.22 ERA. She also hit .340 with seven home runs and a team-best 41 RBI. At Cy-Fair, she aided the Bobcats to a 62-7 combined record during her junior and senior season, 35-0 in 17-5A district play. Kelley was named to the all-district honorable mention team in 2013 after helping the Bobcats win the district title. In limited action in the circle at CFHS, she allowed just a single earned run against in 25.2 innings pitched while holding a 3-0 record with 32 strikeouts.