NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team secured seven commitments on National Signing Day. Head coach Melinda Fischer will be entering her 30th season in the dugout for ISU and she and the Redbird program added four infielders, one outfielder and two pitchers.
Fischer and her staff were able to check off all recruiting needs by bolstering the pitching staff and adding left-handed bats to the roster. In addition, both pitchers signed also hit, which gives ISU defense and offense at every position coming in.
"All of these players can play multiple positions," said Fischer. "Versatility was something we were definitely looking for from a defensive standpoint."
Combined with the individual talents is the fact that every player comes from a successful program.
"Players from winning programs know what it takes to play at a high level," said Fischer. "We certainly want them to bring that attitude and commitment to Illinois State. Success breeds success and that has proven to be true in our program. We are very confident this recruiting class will contribute greatly to our Redbird ways."
Parker Bandy | SS/2B | Springfield, Ill. | Glenwood HS
Notable: Three-year varsity starter for head coach Vondel Edgar at Glenwood High School…2014 Central State 8 Conference Player of the Year…two-time First Team All-Conference…First Team 3A All-State in 2014…Third Team 3A All-State in 2013…member of three-time conference champions and 2014 3A State Champions at Glenwood HS…selected by USSSA as one of 2014's "Best Players in USSSA"…Illinois State Journal Registrar All-Star Game MVP in 2014…batted .488 with 61 runs, 63 hits, 24 RBI, 23 stolen bases and three home runs during junior season in 2014…batted .440 with 44 runs, 40 hits, 30 RBI, 21 stolen bases and .519 on-base percentage during sophomore season in 2013…batted .378 with 27 runs and 17 RBI during freshman season in 2012…member of Midland Magic travel team coached by Jay Cole and Dale Shelton.
Coach Fischer on Parker Bandy…
"Parker can really be a difference-maker in this program. She has good speed and quickness and also adds versatility on the infield by playing either middle infield position. We definitely like that she's a left-handed batter and she's able to lay down a bunt or hit for power. She brings a lot of special qualities that will make her a tremendous Redbird."
Ali Domkuski | P/1B | Towanda, Ill. | Normal Community HS
Notable: Three-year varsity starter for head coach Bob Grimes at Normal Community High School…two-time Big 12 Pitcher of the Year…two-time 1st Team Big 12 All Conference…two-time Big 12 Conference Academic Team…two-time WJBC Athlete of the Week…2014 NCHS Softball MVP…2015 NCHS Varsity Softball Captain…posted 23-4 pitching record during junior season along with a 1.20 earned run average and 271 strikeouts…batted .484 with 47 hits, 45 RBI and 11 home runs in 2013 as a sophomore…batted .398 with 37 hits, 25 RBI and seven home runs as a junior in 2014…NCHS Honor Roll every Semester from 2012-2014…played for Midland Magic 97 travel team coached by Jay Cole and Dale Shelton.
Coach Fischer on Ali Domkuski…
"We have seen a lot of Ali's career since she is a hometown athlete. Ali throws a variety of pitches with good control and command. She has made great strides throughout the last year in the circle as well as at the plate. Â She has the ability to pitch, to play first base and be in our offensive lineup and anytime you can recruit a pitcher with those talents it will really help your program."
Shannon Felde | P/UT | Schaumburg, Ill. | Schaumburg HS
Notable: Three-year varsity starter for head coach Ellen Stoddard at Schaumburg High School…two-time All-Area and All-Conference nominee…Honorable Mention All-Conference as a freshman in 2012…named Schaumburg Most Valuable Player during junior season in 2014…batted .482 as a junior along with a .977 fielding percentage and 1.60 earned run average…hit .535 with zero strikeouts as a sophomore while compiling a .979 fielding percentage…batted .370 at a freshman…member of the Wasco Diamonds travel team coached by Bill Morrow and formerly played the Homer Hawks coached by Mark Perryman.
Coach Fischer on Shannon Felde…
"Shannon is a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher. We really feel that she has a tremendous upside coming into the program. She has improved consistently over the past two summers. She's able to move the ball around the zone and combines that with a good change of speed. Shannon is very athletic with a tremendous work ethic."
Riley Hale | 2B/OF | West Burlington, Iowa | West Burlington Notre Dame HS
Notable: Four-year varsity starter for head coach David Oleson at West Burlington Notre Dame…three-time First Team All-State selection…Second Team All-State selection in 2011…four-time All-Conference selection…four-time All-District selection…four-time All-Hawkeye selection…2014 All-Hawkeye Softball Player of the Year…batted .509 with 205 runs scored and a .564 on-base percentage…holds the WBND HS career record for hits (269) and singles (195)…set the single-season fielding percentage record (1.000) with zero errors in 107 chances at shortstop and second base…member of a WBND team that has gone a combined 122-34 during her first four years in the program…lettered four years in volleyball and one in track…plays for Southeast Iowa Hawks Gold travel team coached by her father Greg Hale
Coach Fischer on Riley Hale…
"Riley is a dynamic player who will bring energy to our defense. She's a great student of the sport and applies her knowledge .to every facet of the game. She is a tremendous competitor who can play several positions both on the infield and outfield. She is consistent at the plate and the ball just seems to explode off her bat.
Kori Mesecher | OF | West Burlington, Iowa | Burlington Notre Dame HS
Notable: Four-year starter for head coach David Oleson at Burlington Notre Dame High School…four-time All-Conference nominee…four-time All-Hawkeye selection…two-time All-District selection…two-time All-State nominee…honorable mention All-State 2011… All-Tournament Team Class 2A State Tournament 2011…holds WBND HS record for RBI (161) and triples (22)…lettered in basketball and track… State Qualifier in 4x100 Meter Relay in 2012…two-time Second Team All-Conference in basketball…Basketball State Champion in 2014…selected to high honor roll every semester…plays for Southeast Iowa Hawks Gold travel team coached by Greg Hale
Coach Fischer on Kori Mesecher…
"Kori is a very athletic player with tremendous potential.  Once she gets in the weight room and on a daily practice routine, I think she will develop very quickly. She has good speed in the outfield and the ability to go up and take a ball away at the fence. Additionally, she has a strong arm and can play all three outfield spots. Offensively she provides a great combination of speed and power that could be used anywhere in the lineup.
Allison Spence | Chicago Heights, Ill. | 1B/3B | Marian Catholic HS
Notable: Three-year varsity player for head coach Kerri Evans at Marian Catholic High School…three-time All-Conference nominee…three-time All-Area selection…2014 Illinois Times All-Area MVP…2014 Second Team All-State selection…2014 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area selection…batted .486 with nine home runs and 43 RBI as a junior in 2014…batted .403 at a sophomore in 2013…named to MCHS Honor Roll…plays for Illinois Chill travel team coached by Brian Edwards and Glen Nelson.
Coach Fischer on Allison Spence…
"Allison can play both corner infield spots, but what really impresses me about Allison is her consistent bat. She can find the gaps and hit for power and she just seems to always have a quality at bat. Â She thoroughly enjoys playing the game and provides that steady consistent play that can really make a difference.
Jenna Stevens | Oregon, Ill. | 1B/OF | Newman Central Catholic HS
Notable: Three-year varsity starter for head coach Rick Turnroth and JD Waldschmidt at Newman Central Catholic High School…two-time Academic All-Conference…led NCCHS in RBI in 2013…2014 Sauk Valley Media Softball All-Area Honorable Mention Member… Ranked fourth for Sauk Valley Media's Top Batted Doubles with 15… Ranked seventeenth for Sauk Valley Media's Highest Batting Average at .459…High Honor Roll 2011-14…2011-14 Rotary Scholar…member of National Honors Society…Three Rivers Academic All-Conference 2011-14…HSHSS member and ambassador…plays for Wasco Diamonds coached by Matt Langton
Coach Fischer on Jenna Stevens…
"Jenna gives us added depth at first and in the outfield. She has good game knowledge and swings a very steady and consistent bat. Jenna has continually improved over the past two summers. She is passionate for the sport and seems to enjoy being up to bat in critical situations."
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