Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman has now officially commented on signing Hartselle’s Olivia Golden as a member of the Lady Bulldogs’ 2013 class.

“We are thrilled to have Olivia joining the Bulldog family,” Stuedeman said. “She is an exceptional athlete with high moral standards. She will be a terrific representative of the MSU jersey.”

Golden signed her letter of intent to play at Mississippi State on May 10 during a ceremony at Hartselle High School. She participated in Hartselle High School’s graduation Monday night at J.P. Cain Stadium.

During her career, she tallied 162 runs, 100 RBIs, 76 stolen bases and 30 home runs as a three-year member of the Lady Tigers’ varsity squad. In her senior season alone, Golden raked at a .442 clip with a .508 on-base percentage and an .884 slugging percentage (13 home runs).

In her three seasons, Hartselle won two county championships, three area titles and two regional crowns en route to three appearances in the state tournament.

Invited to the Alabama Under Armour Softball Combine, the two-time all-county selection played travel softball with the 16U and 18U Huntsville Sparks, guiding her Sparks to three-straight appearances at the ASA National Tournament.

Additionally, Golden was a four-year starter for the Hartselle Lady Tigers’ volleyball squad, where the team won two county, four area and three regional championships on its way to four-consecutive state tournament appearances. In her last three seasons behind the net, Golden was named First-Team All-State by the Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association.