NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State softball team has secured five commitments on National Signing Day. The Redbirds added depth at the pitching and infield positions for 2017, by signing a pitcher, a catcher and three utility players.
Head coach Melinda Fischer is entering her 31st season at the helm of ISU softball and will bring in a class that has enjoyed success in their careers up to this point. In addition, Fischer has also signed the first pair of twins to play for ISU softball.
"This is a group with great character," said Fischer. "They are very serious athletes who are competitive and amazing students that really exemplify the 'Redbird-style Way.'" They have been part of very successful high school and travel programs and have a multitude of individual honors. I am so very excited about this 2016 class."
Anni Borries | C | Teutopolis, Ill. | Teutopolis HS
Teutopolis High School | Head Coach: Rich Niebruggee
Illinois Premier Fastpitch | Head Coaches: Dan and Kristi Paulson
Teutopolis HS: Three-year letterwinner … member of Class 2A state runner-up as a sophomore … member of three regional championship teams … member of sectional championship team during freshman season … three-time team defensive award winner … named team MVP as a junior … named all-area second team as a sophomore … named all-area first team as a junior … named ICA Class 2A all-state second team as a junior … hit .444 as a junior and .500 as a senior … also a four-year letterwinner in cross country and played one season of basketball … member of high honor roll and National Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Dan and Darlene Borries … has six siblings, including twin sister Kadi who also signed with Illinois State softball marking the first pair of twins to play for ISU softball … plans to major in finance.
Coach Fischer on Anni Borries:
"Anni brings a great deal of catching experience to our program, as well as adding depth to the corner positions. She is a great student of the game and leads by example on the field and in the classroom. She will provide consistency with her offensive skills and stability with her leadership behind the plate."
Kadi Borries | UT | Teutopolis, Ill. | Teutopolis HS
Teutopolis High School | Head Coach: Rich Niebruggee
Illinois Premier Fastpitch | Head Coaches: Dan and Kristi Paulson
Teutopolis HS: Three-year letterwinner … member of Class 2A state runner-up as a sophomore … member of three regional championship teams … member of sectional championship team during freshman season … named Queen of the Hill award winner as a freshman and sophomore … broke school's single-season home run record with 14 as a freshman … two-time first team all-area honoree … named to Class 2A first team as a sophomore … named to Class 2A second team and second-team all-area as a junior … named team MVP as a sophomore … named EDN Player of the Year as a junior … hit .478 as a freshman, .462 as a sophomore and .522 as a junior … finished with a 24-3 pitching record as a junior … also a four-year letterwinner in cross country.
Personal: Daughter of Dan and Darlene Borries … has six siblings, including twin sister Anni who also plays for Illinois State softball marking the first pair of twins to play for ISU softball … plans to major in elementary education.
Coach Fischer on Kadi Borries:
"Kadi is a true utility player who could also help in the circle if needed. Her versatility on the defensive side of the ball can be used in the middle infield positions or outfield. She has put up some great numbers in high school and travel ball, and we're looking for her to do the same at Illinois State."Â
Morgan Christner | P | New London, Iowa | New London HS
New London High School | Head Coaches: Duane Blint and Paula Bliven
Southeast Iowa Hawks | Head Coach: Greg Hale
New London HS: Four-year starter ... member of Class 1A state runner-up team as a freshman … member of two-time conference champion team … member of Class 1A third-place team as a junior after team went 33-3 … named Iowa 1A Pitcher of the Year as a junior … named All-Hawkeye Player of the Year twice (co-player of the year as a junior with current ISU infielder Riley Hale) … three-time first team all-conference, all-district and all-state honoree … two-time all-tournament team selection at Iowa State Tournament … two-time conference player of the year … set nine school records during junior season, including career RBI (151), career doubles (56) and career strikeouts (1,130 in 717 innings) … struck out 405 batters, which led the state as a junior … also a three-year letterwinner in basketball and volleyball … member of honor roll and National Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Chad and Temple Christner … plans to major in elementary education.
Coach Fischer on Morgan Christner:
"Morgan comes to us as the reigning 1A pitcher of the year in Iowa. She has tremendous upside both in the circle and at the plate. Morgan is driven by her determination to continually improve and this should allow her to contribute to our program immediately. Her pitches have a great combination of speed and movement, and she also exudes great presence and poise in the circle."
Taylor Vanderpool | IF | Lebanon, Ind. | Western Boone HS
Western Boone High School | Head Coach: Mike Vanderpool
Indy Dreams | Head Coach: Craig Bell
Western Boone HS: Three-year letterwinner … member of 47 team wins during high school career … member of sectional and regional winning team as a junior … three-time first-team all-conference honoree … named team's defensive player of the year as a sophomore … named an Indiana Crossroads Softball Top 100 selection as a sophomore … all-state nominee as a junior … named team captain as a junior and senior … hit .492 as a freshman, .486 as a sophomore and .460 as a junior … set the school RBI record with 35 as a sophomore … set the runs scored (41) and doubles (14) records as a junior … enters senior year with 117 career hits and 84 RBIs ... also a four-year letterwinner in basketball.
Personal: Daughter of Mike and Lisa Vanderpool … father, Mike, coaches Western Boone HS softball team … currently ranked third in her graduating class and ranked in the Academic Top 10 as a sophomore and junior … named to the honor roll every semester … member of National Honor Society … plans to major in actuarial science.
Coach Fischer on Taylor Vanderpool:
"Taylor is the consummate team player. Her energy, quickness and hard work will allow her to be a great utility player for our program. She is a gap-to-gap hitter who really battles throughout an at-bat. A leader both on and off the field, Taylor is also an outstanding student. Her love for the game and intense desire will propel her to this level."
Alyssa Wiebel | IF | Van Horne, Iowa | Benton Community HS
Benton Community High School | Head Coach: Eric Stenberg
Iowa Premier Gold | Head Coach: Greg Dickel
Benton Community HS: Four-year starter … member of 110 wins during her first three seasons … member of three-time conference championship team and member of No. 1 ranked team in Class 3A that finished as Iowa State Tournament runner-ups (2015) … three-time first team all-state honoree … two-time Class 3A Player of the Year … three-time first-team all-conference … three-time all-district team honoree … named to the Des Moines Register All-State Elite Team as a junior … named first-team academic all-conference as a junior … hit .600 with a state-high 21 home runs as a junior … set season and career school records for batting average, RBIs, home runs, hits and slugging percentage … also a four-year letterwinner in basketball, cross country and track … named to honor roll four-consecutive years … member of National Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Dean and Renee Wiebel … has a younger brother Luke … grandfather Melvin Wiebel played baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization … plans to major in biology.
Coach Fischer on Alyssa Wiebel:
"Alyssa is a very consistent competitor who possesses tremendous versatility on defense, which transitions to power on offense. As a two-time 3A Player of the Year in Iowa, Alyssa provides a wealth of experience from playing in championship games in both high school and travel ball. Alyssa knows the game, leads by example and has the ability to really explode at our level."
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