Oak Mountain infielder Jessica Cooley has signed a national letter of intent to play softball at Mississippi State University beginning in 2010.

Cooley earned 2008 ASWA Class 6A all-state honors playing for Danny Dubose at Oak Mountain. The younger sister of former Bulldog outfielder Katie Cooley, she has earned all-area and Over the Mountain honors each year of her varsity career. Last season she was selected to the ASWA all-state team after guiding Oak Mountain to second in the area, its second sub-state appearance in three years and a top 10 state ranking.

“Jessica is a tremendous athlete who can play a number of positions,” Bulldogs head coach Jay Miller said. “She runs very well and will be able to contribute in a variety of ways. Jessica will be a good threat offensively and on the bases.”

Cooley played the past two summers for the Birmingham Skyhawks. This past season she helped the squad to second place at the ASA state tournament after winning the Alabama NSA title in 2007. That 2007 edition also finished seventh at the prestigious Colorado Fireworks tournament and claimed second in the Florida World Series.

Also signing with Mississippi State during the early signing period are Stephanie Becker of Aurora, Ill., Shelby Fisher of Scottsdale, Ariz., Erin Nesbit of Acworth, Ga. and Kylie Vry of Des Moines, Iowa.

“I feel really good about this class. We have some outstanding young athletes who can step in and contribute immediately,” Miller said. “We are only losing two players after this season, so these five players will give us some added depth. We are looking forward to getting them here and working with them next year.”