NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State head softball coach Melinda Fischer announced the addition of five players to the Redbird's softball team with the signing of National Letters of Intent. Andrea Coursey, Morgan Day, Ashley Emert, Brittni LaFountaine, and Spenser Strandgard will enroll at Illinois State next year and join the team for the 2018 season.
"This class brings great experience and success to Redbird Softball from competing at a high level in state and national tournaments," Fischer said. "All are multi-sport athletes who have made a year-round commitment to excelling in everything they do. They are great students in the classroom, astute students of the game who all have the passion and drive to compete at the next level. This will be a class determined to continue the Redbird way."
Below are the bios of the five signees:
Andrea Coursey | 3B | Urbana, Ill. | Saint Joseph-Ogden HS
Saint Joseph-Ogden HS | Coach: Randy Wolken
BNGSA Avanti's Angels | Coach: Steve Hassel
Saint Joseph-Ogden HS: earned three varsity letters as a third baseman for coach Randy Wolken … named team captain for 2017 season … MVP as a junior … two-time first-team all-area and all-conference selection … earned all-state first-team honors as a junior … named to the all-state third team in 2015 … placed fourth in the Illinois state class 2A in 2015 … member of the three-time conference championship team … helped team to sectional championship in 2016 and a regional championship in 2014 … ranks third all-time in SJO career RBI record (192), second in career doubles (64), and third in career home runs (24) … logged 13 RBI to rank third in IHSA's single-game records (May 2015) … batted .548 with 20 doubles, 15 home runs, and 72 RBI as a junior … also played third base for BNGSA Avanti's Angels under coach Steve Hassel … helped team to two ASA Illinois state championships in 2014 and 2016 … finished as ASA Northern Nationals runner-up in 2014 … also played volleyball at SJO as a setter, earning two varsity letters … volleyball team is currently competing in the Class 2A State Tournament … three-year academic letterwinner … ranked first in class … member of National Honor Society.
Personal: Full name is Andrea Elaine Coursey … daughter of Tom and Traci Coursey … sister to Drew, Cale, and Jude … mom, Traci, earned all-conference and academic all-American honors in softball at Indiana Wesleyan … born July 22, 1999 in Kokomo, Indiana … plans to major in business and marketing.
Coach Fischer on Coursey: "Andrea is a natural hitter whose defense at 3rd improved greatly this past summer. She always seems to get the clutch hit and is very dependable putting the ball into play. She will add depth to our infield and consistency in our offensive line-up. Andrea has tremendous potential to take her game to the next level."
Morgan Day | P/OF | Tuscola, Ill. | Tuscola HS
Tuscola High School | Coach: Leonard Sementi
Champaign Select Gold | Coaches: Josh Shelmadine, Matt and Kelley Cervantes
BGNSA Avanti's Angels | Coach: Steve Hassel
Tuscola HS: Earned three varsity letters as a pitcher/outfielder for coach Leonard Sementi … earned all-conference first-team and all-area first team honors … was a 2015 all-conference and all-region honorable mention … collected a 21-4 record in 2015 and 2016 with two career no-hitters as a pitcher … batted .519 with a .971 slugging percentage in 2016 … member of the 2016 Central Illinois Conference championship team … helped her team to 2016 regional and sectional championships and a runner-up finish at the Johnston City super-sectional … currently plays travel ball for BNGSA Avanti's Angels … finished as the 2016 ASA/USA 16A State runner-up with travel softball team the Champaign Select Gold … also ran cross country at Tuscola, earning the bronze medal at the 2016 IHSA regional to qualify to for the sectional meet … member of National Honor Society and THS student council … holds student officer positions of student council vice president, National Honor Society treasurer, and class secretary … four-year member of high honor roll.
Personal: Full name is Morgan LeAnne Day … daughter of Scott and Kristen Day … sister to Griffin and Mason … born July 1, 1999 in Urbana, Illinois … plans to major in public relations.
Coach Fischer on Day: "Morgan has a great personality for the game. She has tremendous upside and a great willingness to learn. She has good command of her pitches and will continue to develop movement at this level. It's always a bonus when you recruit a pitcher who can hit and play another defensive position."
Ashley Emert | C/SS | East Peoria, Ill. | East Peoria Community HS
East Peoria Community HS | Coach: Denee Menzione
East Peoria Express | Coaches: Kurt Juerjens, Steve Leverton
Midland Magic Gold | Coach: Dale Shelton
East Peoria Community HS: Earned three varsity letters as a catcher and shortstop at East Peoria Community under coach Denee Menzione … three-time first-team all-conference and all-area selection ... two-time all-state team member … named MVP both sophomore and junior seasons … earned the Offensive Player of the Year honor as a freshman … played catcher and shortstop for the East Peoria Express under coaches Kurt Juerjens and Steve Leverton … played shortstop for Midland Magic Gold under Coach Dale Shelton and advanced to ASA Nationals in College Station, Texas summer of 2016 … also played basketball at East Peoria Community, earning first-team all-conference honors.
Personal: Full name is Ashley Emert … daughter of Russ and Jessica Emert … sister to Jame Stear and Allison Emert … Allison currently plays softball for Heartland CC … born March 5, 1999 in Rochester, New York … plans to major in social sciences teacher education.
Coach Fischer on Emert: "Ashley is one of the most versatile athletes we have recruited. Her pure athleticism enables her to be quick to the ball and she will increase our depth behind the plate, up the middle on the infield and anywhere in the outfield. She has matured as a hitter and has developed consistency in attacking all parts of the zone."
Brittni LaFountaine | C/1B | East Moline, Ill. | United Township HS
United Township HS | Coach: John Alonzo
Heartland Havoc '98 | Coach: Jacob Bautista
United Township HS: Earned three varsity letters as a catcher at United Township under coach John Alonzo … helped team to regional championship in 2015 and 2016 … earned all-conference, MVP, and Big Six first-team honors as a sophomore … named an all-conference honorable mention as a junior … also plays catcher and first base for the Heartland Havoc '98 under coach Jacob Bautista … helped team to Eastern "A" NSA World Series Championship and an NSA Illinois state runner-up finish in 2016 … placed second at the ASA state championship in 2015 … second at USSSA state championships and third at USSSA national championships in 2014…three-year letterwinner in swimming at United Township…Most improved and All Conference…helped team to 2015 state appearance … two-year letterwinner for basketball … top-10 percent of graduating class … earned honor roll distinction … member of National Honor Society and Junior Rotarian.
Personal: Full name is Brittni Lynn LaFountaine … daughter of Jennifer Nelson and Rich LaFountaine … sister to Sheri, Michael, and Brandi … born July 31, 1998 in Rock Island, Illinois … plans to major in exercise science.
Coach Fischer on LaFountaine: "Brittni has a competitive calmness about her that will translate into a great leader behind the plate. Her defensive versatility will help at first base as well. She has great power potential with a disciplined approach to an at bat. Her physical strength could allow her to develop into a very powerful player."
Spenser Strandgard | P/IF/OF | Sherrard, Ill. | Sherrard HS
Sherrard HS | Coach: Mike DeLoose
Heartland Havoc '98 | Coach: Jacob Bautista
Sherrard HS: Earned three varsity letters as a three-year starter at Sherrard HS for coach Mike DeLoose … named a two-time all-conference second-team selection in 2015 and 2016 … named to the Illinois Coaches Association all-state third team in 2015 … earned first-team all-conference and all-area second-team honors in 2014 … member of the all-area all-star team in 2014 … holds a 17-4 record as a pitcher with 152 strikeouts … also plays pitcher, infield, and outfield for the Heartland Havoc '98 under coach Jacob Bautista … helped team to Fastpitch Eastern "A" NSA World Series Championship and an NSA Illinois state runner-up finish in 2016 … earned a runner-up finish at the ASA state championship in 2015 … placed second at USSSA state championships and third at USSSA national championships in 2014 … also a three-year letter winner in basketball and volleyball at Sherrard with three basketball regional championships … four-year member of Sherrard student council.
Personal: Full name is Spenser Katherine Strandgard … daughter of Mark and Kathy Strandgard … sister to Riley, current ISU softball player and two-time MVC conference team member … born in Moline, Illinois … plans to major in elementary education.
Coach Fischer on Strandgard: "Spenser is very passionate about competing in whatever sport is in season. Her versatility and strong arm will be used in many defensive positons. Her natural ability and strength allow her to drive the ball with authority. I'm looking forward to Spenser's development as she concentrates her focus to softball."
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