Earleywine Inks Four to 2008-09 Missouri Softball Squad

Tiger Coach Signs First Complete Recruiting Class of his Missouri Career

Nov. 23, 2007

GALLERY

Columbia, Mo. -Missouri softball Head Coach Ehren Earleywine announced today that four student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Tiger team for the 2008-09 campaign.  Ashley Flemming (Silex, Mo.) and Jaydee Young (Raymore, Mo.) will add strength in the field, while Kristin Nottelmann (Summit, Mo.) and Chelsea Thomas (Pleasantville, Iowa) will compliment the Tigers' pitching staff.

"This is the first full recruiting class of the new coaching staff and one that we are very proud of," Earleywine said.  "I want to thank my assistant coaches for helping me sign such a great class of athletes.  We feel this group will make an enormous impact on the state of Missouri softball for many years to come.  These girls are not only outstanding players, but exceptional students as well.  They all come from great families and we thank them all for their belief in us and the vision we have for this program."

Flemming, a senior at Silex High School, is a lefty known for her powerful swing.  With a .671 senior year batting average, Flemming owned a .762 on base percentage and was awarded first team all-district, all-regional, all-conference and all-state honors while also recognized as team's Most Valuable Player.  As a junior, Flemming notched 13 home runs, a Missouri single-season record and .627 batting average.  Throughout her high school career, Flemming collected four all-district, all-region and all-state honors and two all-conference accolades and helped her team to three state runner-up finishes.  Owning a 4.0 grade-point average (GPA), Flemming ranks second in her class and is the current class president. 


 

 

"Ashley has been a multi-sport athlete all her life and has spent most of her time pitching in high school.  As a result, I feel that her best softball is still ahead of her, "Earleywine said.  With her focus now direct solely to positional play and hitting, she should see improvement in both areas in a short amount of time."

A senior at Raymore-Peculiar High School in Raymore, Mo., Young has been a four year starter on the Panther softball team and will likely play in the outfield or serve as a utility player on Missouri's squad.  A four-time all-conference athlete and three-time all-district honoree, Young received all-region and all-state honors her senior season.  Averaging .571, Young was credited with 30 RBI her senior year and owned a 1.131 slugging percentage. 

"Jaydee will be a great player to have in our program," Earleywine said.  "She has amazing tools and ability, runs very well, hits for average and power and has a great throwing arm."  

One of the top 2008 Missouri recruits, Nottelmann, will likely serve as a right-handed pitcher on Missouri's squad. 

"Kristin currently features a good rise ball and is taking all of the necessary steps to add dimension to her repertoire by adding a drop ball and change up.  She has a very live arm for someone slight in build and we are interested in seeing how her game develops when she adds size and strength down the road,"

A 2006 Missouri Softball Gatorade Player of the Year and Pontiac Game Changing Performance "Athlete of the Month (August)," Nottelmann is a four-time all-conference and all-district honoree and three-time all-region and all-state recipient.  In her freshman season with the Summitt High School softball team, Nottelmann was named the Suburban South Conference Rookie of the Year.  As a sophomore and junior, Nottelmann was awarded Rockwood Summit Most Offensive and Valuable Player of the Year honors, earning MVP honors again as a senior.  In 2006, the Falcon softball team recorded a perfect 22-0 campaign and capped off the season with a state title.  For her work in the circle, Nottelmann was named to the 2007 Rockwood Summit Hall of Fame.

A right-handed thrower from Pleasantville, Iowa, Thomas' high school campaign is far from complete.

"Chelsea has not yet played her senior year since in the state of Iowa, they play their softball season in the summer after the high school year is over."

To date, Thomas is a four-time all-conference and all-state selection and owns a .44 ERA and .350 batting average.  Totaling 1,136 strikeouts, Thomas broke the Iowa State softball tournament strikeout record in 2007.  At the plate, Thomas had crushed 15 home runs. 

"Chelsea is arguably the hardest throwing high school prospect in the country," Earleywine said.  "With a solid 5-10 frame, and a very live arm, she consistently throws in the upper 60's and 70's.  Chelsea also holds the all-time home run record for her high school and is capable of playing and hitting well."

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