Redbird Softball Signs Five for 2011-12 Season

Nov. 18, 2010

NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State softball team signed five players to National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their athletic and academic careers at Illinois State, as announced by head softball coach Melinda Fischer Wednesday. Fischer, who will enter her 26th season at the helm of the Redbird softball program, inked a catcher, a pitcher, a middle infielder and two utility players, who will join the ISU softball team in the fall of 2011.

"This class brings depth to the pitching, catching and middle infield positions," Fischer said. "All of these athletes have been involved with winning programs and understand what it takes to play at the top level. They have all served in leadership roles within their school and summer teams, and bring great game knowledge to our program. They have tremendous work ethics and are eager to extend their learning. This class will have an opportunity to make immediate contributions."

The 2011-12 Illinois State recruiting class includes: Stephanie Gallant (Ajax, Ontario/Pickering HS); Lindsey Greene (Rockville, Ind./Rockville HS); Sophia Perez (Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley HS); Kara Repp (Casey, Ill./Casey-Westfield HS); and Kelsey Turczyn (LaSalle, Ill./LaSalle-Peru Township HS)

Stephanie Gallant | C | Ajax, Ontario | Pickering

Stephanie Gallant.jpg" border="3" width="217" height="271" align="right" />

Notable: Member of the Midland Magic 92...played for the Brampton Blazers, who captured two Canadian national championships...member of the Junior Canadian National Team as a sophomore...was a Junior Canadian National Team selection camp attendee as a junior.

Fischer on Stephanie Gallant...
"Stephanie is our first international recruit and brings Canadian Junior National Team experience to our program. She has a consistent bat, hitting from the left side and could potentially occupy the three or four spot in our lineup. As a catcher, Stephanie has a strong desire to excel and continue to learn more about the game."

 

 

 

 

Lindsey Greene | SS | Rockville, Ind. | Rockville

Lindsey Greene.jpg" border="3" width="217" height="271" align="right" />

Notable: Member of the Midland Magic 92...three-sport athlete at Rockville High School who participates in basketball, softball and volleyball...established new school record for career homeruns as a prep...earned all-conference and all-area accolades as a junior after hitting .489 and was named the recipient of the team's hitting and pitching award...hit .465 as a sophomore and earned all-conference and all-area honors...all-conference performer and MVP of her high school team after hitting .413 as a freshman...her brother, Luke, played collegiate baseball at Lake Land College before transferring to Northern Kentucky University.

Fischer on Lindsey Greene...
"Lindsey is a great defensive player and has versatility in playing both middle infield positions and in the outfield. She brings tremendous energy and passion to the game and has a consistent bat and good baserunning skills. I feel Lindsey's possibilities are endless as she moves to the Division I level and concentrates on one sport."

 

 

 

 

Sophia Perez | RHP | Simi Valley, Calif. | Simi Valley

Sophia Perez.jpg" border="3" width="217" height="271" align="right" />

Notable: Member of the SoCal Pumas...Posted a 14-1 record with a 0.62 ERA and struck out 142 batters in 91 innings of work as a junior...named the Most Valuable Pitcher at the Suzanne Manlet Tournament, was honored as the Marmonte League co-pitcher of the year and was a Best of the West All-Tournament Team selection...led Simi Valley High School to a 26-3 record, a conference championship and a Righetti Tournament title...tallied a 10-2 record in the circle with a 0.64 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 93 innings as a sophomore...earned first-team all-conference honors, selected to the Arroyo Grande Tournament Team and was named the most valuable player at the Suzanne Manlet Tournament.

Fischer on Sophia Perez...
"Sophia has pitched for three seasons at the Gold level and we are very excited to have someone with her talent and experience join the Redbird program. She has good command of her pitches and is able to mix speeds as well. Sophia is a great student of the game and is working very hard to take her pitching to the next level."

 

 

 

 

Kara Repp | UTL | Casey, Ill. | Casey-Westfield

Kara Repp.jpg" border="3" width="217" height="271" align="right" />

Notable: Member of the Midland Magic 92...three-sport athlete at Casey-Westfield High School who participates in basketball, softball and volleyball...named first-team all-conference after hitting .533 as a junior...led Casey-Westfiled to a regional championship and earned first-team all-conference and all-area honors after hitting .579 as a sophomore...hit .581 as a freshman and led team to a regional championship.

Fischer on Kara Repp...
"Kara is a tremendous athlete and will be a utility player for our program. Defensively, she can contribute in many positions at this level. Kara has good speed and quickness and brings another left-handed bat to our lineup. I am looking forward to her development as she focuses on just one sport."

 

 

 

Kelsey Turczyn | UTL | LaSalle, Ill. | LaSalle-Peru Township

Notable: Member of the Midland Magic 92...summer team placed 13th at the American Softball Association (ASA) Nationals and second at the Illinois state tournament in 2009...two-sport athlete at LaSalle-Peru Township High School who participates in volleyball and softball...led team with .470 batting average and 25 RBI as a junior...three-time all-conference and all-area selection...helped the Cavaliers win conference and regional championships as a freshman.

Fischer on Kelsey Turczyn...
"Kelsey will bring a great amount of passion and leadership to the Redbirds. She works extremely hard at improving her game and takes pride in the little things that make a big difference. Kelsey has played several defensive positions and will be a utility player for our program."