Nov. 18, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State softball team had five players sign National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their academic and athletic careers at Illinois State, as announced by head softball coach Melinda Fischer Tuesday. Fischer, who is in her 25th season at the helm of the Redbirds, signed a pitcher, two infielders, an outfielder and one utility player, who will join the ISU softball team in the fall of 2010.
"The Redbird class of 2010 brings a tremendous amount of passion for the game of softball and a desire to excel in our program," said Fischer. "They are multi-sport athletes who have proven they can manage their time to succeed on the field and in the classroom. All these players have been successful in their high school and summer programs and are ready to take their game to the next level. We're very excited they will be joining our Redbird family."
Illinois State's 2010-11 recruiting class includes: Shelby Batterton (Atlanta, Ill./Olympia HS); Taylor Baxter (Hannibal, Mo., Palmyra HS); Laura Canopy (Hopedale, Ill./Olympia HS); Kolby Hoffman (Dwight, Ill./Dwight Township HS); and Kelsey McCarthy (Minooka, Ill./Minooka HS).
 |
2010-11 REDBIRD SOFTBALL SIGNEES |
|
| Name |
Pos. |
B/T |
Ht. |
|
Cl.* |
Hometown (Previous School) |
Shelby Batterton |
1B |
L/L |
5-6 |
|
Fr. |
Atlanta, Ill. (Olympia) |
|
P |
R/R |
5-11 |
|
Fr. |
Hannibal, Mo. (Palmyra) |
|
OF |
L/R |
5-10 |
|
Fr. |
Hopedale, Ill. (Olympia) |
|
UT |
R/R |
5-10 |
|
Fr. |
Dwight, Ill. (Dwight Township) |
Kelsey McCarthy |
1B |
R/R |
6-2 |
|
Fr. |
Shorewood, Ill. (Minooka) |
*2010-11 Classification
|
SHELBY BATTERTON | Atlanta, Ill. | Olympia HS | 5-6 | L/L | 1B |
PREP
A member of the 2009 Olympia HS state championship team with a record of 37-2... named to the all-state second team and the All-Corn Belt Conference First Team ... a member of the 2009 Corn Belt Conference championship team... a two-sport athlete who participates in softball and basketball ... did not commit an error at first base and had 261 putouts ... has a career batting average of .422 ... compiled 49 hits and 41 RBIs her junior season ... a member of the 2008 state runner-up team with a record of 37-5 ... had a batting average of .299 her sophomore season with 20 hits and 11 RBIs ... plays for the Oly Fire club softball team.
Fischer on Shelby Batterton...
"Shelby comes from strong programs at Olympia high School and Oly Fire. We were interested in Shelby because she is a left-handed batter and left-handed first baseman and can also play the outfield. She is coming off of a state championship so she knows how to win. I've seen great improvement in Shelby each season, and we're excited to see how Shelby will continue to develop at the collegiate level."
|
TAYLOR BAXTER | Hannibal, Mo. | Palmyra HS | 5-11 | R/R | P |
PREP
A member of the three-time 2A Missouri state softball championship team, which was the first team in Missouri to win three-straight championships ... a two-sport athlete who competes in softball and basketball ... recorded 248 strikeouts with an ERA of .195 ... a pitching record of 20-2 her senior year ... All-State First Team for four years ... a four-time conference player of the year in softball ... holds the record for most wins in the state of Missouri at 88 and second in shutouts with 61 ... recorded 1,030 strike outs over four years, which is third in the state ... named the Quincy Hearld All-Area Player of the Year three times.
Fischer on Taylor Baxter...
"Taylor is coming off of a tremendous high school career. We are excited about having a pitcher like Taylor, who brings much proven success. She has good control of her pitches and is able to mix location and speeds well. Not only is Taylor a standout pitcher, she is able to contribute with her bat and at first base. She was also coached by former Redbird Lori Vogel McPike. It is alway fun to have another Redbird connection."
|
LAURA CANOPY | Hopedale, Ill. | Olympia HS | 5-10 | L/R | OF |
PREP
A member of the 2009 Olympia state championship team with a record of 37-2... a three-sport athlete who participates in softball, basketball and swimming ... led her high school softball team in RBIs with 51 during her junior season ... recorded 57 hits, including two grand slams, with a batting average of .479 ... all-state first team and First-Team All-Corn Belt Conference ... a Corn Belt Honorable Mention selection her freshman and sophomore seasons ... a member of the 2008 state runner-up team with a record of 37-5 ... her sister, Erin, played softball at Augustana.
Fischer on Laura Canopy...
"I think Laura is going to bring a wealth of talent to our program. Her versatility allows her to play all three outfield positions and come into the infield if needed. She is a left-handed batter who is capable of filling many spots in our line-up. She has a tremdously strong arm and is quick to the ball. We're looking forward to Laura"s development as she concentrates on just one sport."
|
KOLBY HOFFMAN | Dwight, Ill. | Dwight Township HS | 5-10 | R/R | UT |
PREP
A member of the all-area team ... Most Valuable Player on her softball team her junior season ... recorded a batting average of .389 with three home runs during her junior season ... a member of the all-conference team her sophomore and junior seasons ... a four-sport athlete who participated in softball, basketball, track and volleyball her freshman and sophomore years and softball, basketball and volleyball her junior and senior years ... a member of the Dwight regional championship team her freshman year ... led the volleyball team to the Sweet Sixteen ... the MVP her senior and junior seasons for her performance on the volleyball team ... her brother, Jordan, played football at North Central College ... a three-time state champion in track.
Fischer on Kolby Hoffman...
"Kolby is probably the most versatile athlete we are bringing into this 2010 class. Her athletic ability will allow her to contribute in many defensive positions even though she has had the most experience at middle infield and behind the plate. She has a strong bat with the potential to be a very consistent hitter at a number of different spots in our line-up. Kolby has tremendous potential to take her game to the next level."
|
KELSEY MCCARTHY | Shorewood, Ill. | Minooka HS | 6-2 | R/R | 1B |
PREP
A two-sport athlete in high school who currently competes in softball and volleyball ... plays summer softball for the New Lenox Lightning ... led her softball team to a second place finish in the Southwest Prairie Conference ... recorded a .380 batting average and an on-base percentage of .443 her junior season ... led the team in extra base hits and walks over her junior season ... named the Most Valuable Offensive Player for her softball team ... a member of the Hearld News All-Area Team ... her brother, Cal, currently plays on the Illinois State football team ... her parents, Tim and Beth, attended Illinois State.
Fischer on Kelsey McCarthy...
"Kelsey is a very strong and powerful player who could help us at either first or third base. She brings a great presence to the game and will be an offensive threat in our lineup. Kelsey has played a strong summer schedule, which will help prepare her for the college game. We are looking forward to the youngest McCarthy joining our softball program and carrying on the Redbird tradition in her family."
