 | Softball |
SIUE Softball SIUE Athletics | |
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November 16, 2007 Defending National Champions Sign Five for 2009 Softball Season EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Leave it to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Coach Sandy Montgomery to think ahead by signing five recruits who will begin playing for the softball Cougars in the 2009 collegiate season. SIUE, the 2007 NCAA Division II reigning national champion, begins playing a full NCAA Division I schedule during the 2009 season. SIUE will defend its national championship this spring in its final year of NCAA Division II softball. The Cougars have signed Whitney Davis (Cayuga, Ind.), Lindsey Barron (Urbana), Kay Hagelberg (Ankeny, Iowa), Ellese Lawrence (Clyde, N.C.), and Paige Sheeder (Davenport, Iowa) to National Letters of Intent. "I'm extremely pleased with the level of excitement each of these players expressed in their desire to play for SIUE," said Montgomery. "All of the players want to help us build a successful Division I program. They've taken on that challenge as the first recruits since the institution made the decision to become an NCAA Division I athletic program." Davis, a utility player, has been a four-year starter at North Vermillion High School. The two-time Most Valuable Player also has been named All-Conference twice in softball. She has played summer softball for the Indiana Force, Indy Vipers, Indiana Chaos and the Midland Magic. "Whitney is a left-handed hitter and runs well for her size (5-foot-8)," said Montgomery. She can play positions in the infield and outfield. Montgomery said Davis figures to make an impact for the Cougars, filling a void in the lineup as a lefty power hitter. Barron, a 5-1 slap-hitter, is the career hits (174), batting average (.483) and stolen base (162) record holder at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. A first team All-State selection last season and a three-time All-Area pick, Barron led the Champaign area with 81 stolen bases last season. She has played summer softball for the Central Illinois Diamonds and the Midland Magic. "She's going to add a tremendous amount of speed on the bases for us," said Montgomery. "She gets from the plate to first base in 2.6 seconds, which puts a lot of pressure on the defense. She fits well into my coaching style." Hagelberg, a catcher, has been a four-time All-State selection and a two-time first team All-State pick at North Polk Community High School in Alleman, Iowa. Hagelberg helped her team win the state championship last season with a home run in the title game. Her defense also has been a plus with just three errors over the last two seasons. "Kay is an outstanding catcher," noted Montgomery. "She brings a great amount of experience and loves to play the game. I see her as the catalyst behind the plate in the future of our program." Lawrence, a 6-2 center fielder, was named All-State last season at Pisgah High School in Canton, N.C. A four-time All-Conference selection and conference Player of the Year last season, Lawrence was named to the "All World Team" at Disney World in 2005. She played for the summer team Mixed Forces, which won the USSSA national championship in 2005 and the SECCA World Series in 2007. "She's an outfielder with tremendous size and power. Ellese plays great defense and is truly an outstanding young individual who will fit in well with the program," said Montgomery. Sheeder was an honorable mention All-State selection the last two seasons at Davenport Assumption High School. Helping Assumption to a state tournament run, she hit two home runs in four games as the team captain. A three-time All-Conference selection, she played summer softball for Illinois Xtreme Havoc, which placed second at the Illinois state tournament and among the top 40 at the 2007 USA/ASA 18-under nationals. "A very athletic utility player, she can play catcher, first base or the outfield," said Montgomery. "She possesses tremendous power, runs very well, and is an extremely intelligent player." SIUE begins the 2008 season Feb. 15 at the Delta State Tournament. -siue- |