Illinois State head softball coach
Melinda Fischer has announced the signing of four student-athletes for the 2006 season. Signees include Jessie Buker, Casey Gorrell, Amber Smith and Marilyn Tresenriter.
All of these athletes are versatile, talented and good students. They all come from winning programs, and we look for this to be an impact class, Fischer said. I see a great deal of potential in this group and they have an excellent opportunity to see a lot of action as freshmen when you look at what were graduating after this season. They all work hard, love the game and are really determined to excel at the collegiate level.
Buker, a senior at Okaw Valley High in Bethany, Ill., will add depth to the Redbird squad as a utility player. She participates in club soccer, ice hockey, basketball, softball and track. The past three seasons Buker has had the highest batting average on her softball team, while being named to the all-conference first team two times. She was named MVP of the softball and basketball teams as a sophomore and also earned MVP honors for basketball as a junior. The 5-11 Macon, Ill. native led her softball team to the regional championship in 2004, while also placing 8th in the discus at the state track and field meet. During the summer, Buker played with the C.I.G.S. Rebels of Decatur.
Jessie has experience at the middle infield positions and her versatility will help us defensively, Fischer said. She is very athletic and extremely competitive and once Jessie concentrates on one sport the skys the limit.
Gorrell, a native of Olathe, Kan., has played both third base and catcher. The two-time all-state catcher helped lead her team to the Class 6A championship her junior year and a second place finish in 2003. Gorrell is also a three-time all-city and all-league selection and was named a second team National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American catcher in 2004. The two-time all-metro and all-county honoree also helped lead her team to three straight regional and Sunflower League championships. Gorrells softball team has gone 65-5 during her three-year career. She played summer softball with the Kansas City Extreme.
Casey is fundamentally sound and has a great repoire with her pitchers, Fischer added. She has excellent knowledge of the game, is a clutch hitter and shows tremendous leadership on the field.
Smith, a 6-foot pitcher/first baseman, is a senior at Fairfield High in California. The two-sport athlete (basketball and softball) compiled a 27-5 record on the mound the past two seasons. As a sophomore, Smith was named Co-Pitcher of the Year, in addition to receiving all-city accolades. Last season, she earned Pitcher and Player of the Year honors, was named MVP of the St. Marys Tournament and was named to the all-city team. Smith helped lead her team to a 15-0 conference record and a second place finish at sectionals in 2004. Smith played summer softball with the California Sorcerers.
Amber will be able to give us some innings both in the circle and at first base, Fischer said. Shes also excelled offensively. She has great strength, can hit for power and runs extremely well.
Tresenriter, a two-sport athlete (softball and volleyball), is a senior utility player from Rock Falls, Ill. She is a three-time MVP of the softball team and a three-time all-conference softball pick. She earned third team all-state laurels as a sophomore and first team honors in 2004. Tresenriter holds numerous school softball records including career hits, career runs, career pitching wins, single-season hits, single-season, runs, and single-season ERA. Her softball team finished fourth in the IHSA state tournament in 2004, the same season that her team compiled a 28-game winning streak and established a new school record for wins in a season with 35. Tresenriter was also a three-time all-conference selection in volleyball. During the summer, she played softball with the Milan Aces.
Marilyn played shortstop in the IHSA state tournament 20-inning game against Warrensburg and her volleyball team made it the supersectional game, Fischer said. She has played nearly every position on the field, and that versatility along with her great offensive ability will certainly be a great addition to our program.
The Redbirds will get one last tune-up for the 2005 season in Australia Dec. 28-Jan. 10, before returning to get the regular season underway at the Diamond Fun & Sun Classic in Miami on Feb. 4.
