Melanie Carter begins her first year at Shorter after spending two years as a graduate assistant at West Alabama. She played her collegiate career at NCAA II University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she was a four-year starter for the Chargers, a four-time NFCA All-American, four-time First Team All-South Region selection, and in 2001 helped the Chargers to an NCAA II World Series appearance.
Her stellar career at UAH includes nine career records including playing in 261 games, all-time starts, at-bats (795), runs (231), doubles (65), home runs (44), total bases (519) and RBI (233). Carter also holds the second highest batting average (.382) in school history and the second most hits in school history (304). She was a four-time First Team All-GSC selection, a member of three GSC Championship teams, selected GSC East Division Freshman of the Year in 2000, and was a four time GSC All-Tournament Team selection.
Carter attended Lincoln County High School (where she was an All-State selection) and is a native of Fayetteville, Tenn. She graduated from UAH in December of 2003 with a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology and holds a M.A.T. in Physical Education (emphasis in Exercise Science) from West Alabama.
Carter also has extensive experience in softball camps at the University of Alabama, West Alabama and University of Alabama-Huntsville while coaching several 16U & 18U fastpitch travel teams.
Al Thomas begins his second season with the Lady Hawks after serving as assistant coach last year under Interim Head Coach Ricci Lattanzi. He helped coach the ’06 team to 24 wins, the most in school history.
Thomas has coached with several local area teams, including Berry College and Rome High School, and has worked with several Major League Baseball teams in their scouting and player devlopment programs. He was a color analyst for the Rome Braves Radio Broadcast Team and continues to do broadcast work for WLAQ 1410 AM and WATG 95.7 FM.
Thomas is a graduate of West Rome High School and Berry College. He has been married for 19 years to his wife, Elizabeth, and has two children; Haley and Auston.
