Nov. 18, 2008
Missouri Softball Head Coach Ehren Earleywine announced today that five women have signed a National Letter of Intent to play with the Tigers for the 2010 campaign.
“Now that it’s all said and done, this recruiting class turned out to be better than we anticipated from the beginning,” Earleywine said. “I am excited about each and every one of these kids and feel like we have added another talented class to continue to elevate the program to a new level.
The class is diverse in their talents, but overall it is a class that can flat out hit. Each of these girls in their own right has tremendous offensive abilities that will help fill the graduation void of Micaela Minner, Lindsey Ubrun, and Andee Allen.
I want to thank my assistant coaches for their hard work in obtaining this talented class. Each of these players were highly recruited by many of the top programs in the country and we feel fortunate that they chose to come to Missouri.”
Listed In Alphabetical Order:
Rachel Hay
Kansas City, MO - Oak Park High School
5’11. CA. Bats – R, Throws – R
High School Coach – Alan Parks
Travel Ball Coach – John Moppin (Olathe Rockets)
Earleywine on Hay:
“At 5’11 with a powerful frame, Rachel is a physically imposing catcher with a lot of upside. She is a very good catch and throw catcher with the ability to hit for a lot of power. She was a player that made it clear to us from the beginning that she wanted to play at Missouri. In addition to her ability, that was very appealing to us. Anytime you get a frame like Rachel’s to work with, the sky is the limit in terms of power number potential.”
10 Bullet Points on Hay:
2008 Adidas Futures Top 100 Athletes
2007 Adidas Top 100
2007 USSSA All World Team
2007 USSSA World Champions
All District Selection – 2006, 2007, 2008
All Region – 2007, 2008
All State - 2007
.425 Career High School Batting Avg.
.470 avg + 7 HRs in senior year.
GPA – 3.5
Nicole Hudson
Webb City, MO - Webb City High School
5’8. 3B/OF. Bats – L, Throws – R
High School Coach – Walter Resa
Travel Ball Coach – Roger Burkhart (Mo. Firestix). Dave Simmons (Tulsa Eagles Gold)
Earleywine on Hudson:
“Nicole, in my opinion, is one of the best pure hitters I’ve ever seen. Not only does she hit for a very high average, but her power numbers are incredible as well. She will graduate as the all time home run leader in the state of Missouri. .I can’t imagine how many more she would have had if she had been pitched to more often…She also holds the all time record in Missouri for walks.
Defensively in high school she spent most of her time pitching and was one of the top pitchers in the state, but will play 3b and OF here at Missouri. Overall, she is a winner and has that intangible “it” factor that you look for, but seldom find.”
10 Bullet Points on Hudson:
1st Team All-State 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
40 Home Runs (State Record)
185 RBI's (State Record)
77 Walks (State Record)
.593 Career Batting Average
73-8 Pitching Record
State Champions 2007
4 year starter on varsity basketball team (1000+ points)
GPA - 4.23
Distinguished honor roll – 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Jenna Marston
St.Louis, MO - Principia High School
5’8. SS/UT. Bats – L, Throws – R
High School Coach – Ken Levoy
Travel Ball Coach – Neil Seltzer (Diamond Cats)
Earleywine on Marston
“Jenna or “JJ” is a phenomenal athlete who can play SS, CF, 2B and be a difference maker wherever she ends up. She has very good speed, hits for a high average, has tremendous instincts on defense, and has one of the strongest throwing arms around. Her lanky, but very strong 5’8 frame is the ideal building block for her to be a true 5 tool player with time. Right now, she is a singles/doubles type hitter and may continue to be, but I wouldn’t be surprised in time if she didn’t end up showing some HR power as she
develops.”
10 Bullet Points on Marston:
1st Team All Conference – 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
1st Team All State – 2007, 2008 (2nt team)
.600+ Avg. in last three years of high school
.500 Avg. freshman year
.486 Avg. in summer ball
43 walks and 0 strikeouts in Jr. and Sr. year.
4 year letter winner in boys high school baseball - .400 Avg in Sr. year
4 year starter on varsity basketball team
GPA – 4.0 +
Honor Roll – 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Lindsey Muller
Stilwell, KS – Blue Valley High School
5’11. 1B/P/UT. Bats – R, Throws – R
High School Coach – Heather Sheppard
Travel Ball Coach – John Moppin (Olathe Rockets)
Earleywine on Muller:
“Lindsey is another big time power hitter that we feel will be a double digit HR hitter for us right away. Her offensive numbers in high school and summer ball have been lofty and we anticipate her doing the same thing here at MU hitting in the middle of our lineup. Lindsey’s primary position will be 1B/OF, but she will also give us another pitching option as she has been one of the top pitchers in the region for several years now.”
10 Bullet Points on Muller:
2007 USSSA World Champions
2007 USSSA All World Team Selection
2007 Adidas National Recruit
1st Team All League – 2007, 2008
.493 Batting Avg. Senior yr.
.413 Batting Avg. + 9 HRs in 2008 for Olathe Rockets (team leader)
.480 Batting Avg. + 13 HRs in 2007 for Olathe Rockets (team leader)
.038 ERA 2008 High School
4 year letter winner on varsity volleyball team
GPA – 3.5
Ashlie Ortega
Brighton, CO - Erie High School
5’7. SS/UT. Bats – Both, Throws - R
High School Coach - Bob Bledsoe
Travel Ball Coach - Scott Sakamoto (COComets). Daven Bonds (CO Stampede)
Earleywine on Ortega:
“I had completed my 2009 recruiting and had moved on to 2010, until I saw Ashley. Our team has power, speed, and great pitching, but one component that we will be needing is a great player who can also be a vocal leader on the field….Ashley fits the bill to a “T” She is a tough, hard-nosed kid that isn’t afraid to direct traffic on the infield. She could provide some much needed emotional spark that we need.
Ashley primarily plays 2b, but can play anywhere. Offensively, she is a true switch hitter who will be on of the toughest to strike out that I’ve ever coached. In addition, she can also hit the ball in the gaps and out of the park from both sides of the plate.”
10 Bullet Points on Ortega:
All Colorado Team - 2008
.431 Career Batting Avg.
.576 Avg. Senior year
1.030 Slugging Percentage Sr. year (High School Record)
9 Triples in 66 at bats in Sr. year (High School Record)
.773 On Base Percentage in Sr. year (High School Record)
Over 100 games of Travel Ball – 5 strikeouts
Colorado State High School Champions – 2008
16U State Travel Ball Champions – 2008
GPA – 3.1
