The University of Evansville softball team has signed five players to National Letters of Intents for the 2011 season. Committing to the Purple Aces are Taylor Perry of Crown Point, Ind., Nicole Rahming of Reno, Nev., Emily Morris from Waterloo, Ill., Katie Sears from Chicago, Ill., and Kacey Rogers from Homer Glen, Ill.
“I am very happy with this first recruiting class,” said first-year Evansville head coach Mark Redburn. “I believe that this group represents our philosophy and program beliefs in a manner that will help us achieve success in the future. We’ve added depth to all phases of the game and not just tried to fill holes. This will increase competition for starting positions and provide deeper talent at each position.”
Perry is currently a pitcher for Crown Point High School where she led the Bulldogs to a conference championship in 2009. Perry was named all-district, all-conference and all-state last season while also earning scholar-athlete accolades.
“Taylor is our very first in-state recruit, and I couldn’t be happier,” Redburn said. “She possesses all the qualities in the type of player that we want here at the University of Evansville – great academic background, athletic performance and family support. She has achieved success in the classroom as well as on the field with both her high school and summer teams. Standing at six feet tall, and already throwing with good velocity and movement, she will continue to only get better. She has also faced some of the best teams in the country playing for Coach Gerry Quinn and the Illinois Chill. She will have an immediate impact to our pitching staff and offense as she also hits.”
Rahming signs with Evansville already familiar with the program, as her sister Ashleigh is currently a third and first baseman for the Aces. Playing shortstop and second base for Reno High School, Nicole Rahming was selected as an all-state infielder, all-league infielder and all-north shortstop and helped her team to the playoffs in her three years with the Huskies.
“Niki is a player with some great west coast playing experience and success,” Redburn said. “ She is an all-state middle infielder with size, smooth hands, quick feet and good arm. During the summer and fall she plays with the San Jose Lady sharks coached by Tom Barrera. Her ability at the plate and speed on the bases is tremendous. Her experience and success with both her high school and summer team will be felt right away here at UE. She is just as talented in the classroom, and I know that is a result of her hard work and desire to be successful just like when she is on the field. She knows UE and the community and will have immediate support from our team and especially her sister.”
Morris joins the Aces from Gibault Catholic High School where she has been a pitcher for the past three seasons. Morris helped lead the Hawks to regional championships in 2007 and 2009 while being named Belleville News-Democrat All-Area Second Team this past season.
“Emily is another pitcher and great student that I feel will have a tremendous upside,” Redburn said. “She is 5’10” and very strong and has changed pitching styles within the past year. In the past she pitched side to side, but she and her family made a commitment to working with a new and current pitching coach – Russell Cooper. She now throws up, down and change, and she continues to get better all the time. She is not afraid of hard work and works out regularly to continue her improvement. Her desire to compete and be successful matches the type of player that we want in our program.”
Sears brings her talent at the outfield position for the Aces after playing for Mother McAuley in Chicago.
“Katie is going to have an immediate impact both offensively and defensively for us,” Redburn said. “She is a very aggressive player with great speed and attacks the ball in centerfield. As a lead off hitter and slapper, she puts the defense on their heels and always looks to take an extra base. I feel that she has a great chance to start in center and lead off for us next year as a freshman because she is that good. She never takes a play off and expects to win every time she plays. Her playing experience with the Beverly Bandits, which is coached by Bill Conroy, has exposed her to some of the best teams in the country. That experience will help us right away.”
Rogers will come to UE from Lockport High School as a versatile athlete after playing at shortstop, second base and outfield.
“Kacey is a player that will add depth to our team at several positions,” Redburn said. “I expect that she will compete for a starting position either as a middle infielder or at third base. She comes from an athletic family as her sister played D-I softball so she knows what it takes both in the classroom and on the field to be successful. She will continue to get better and is committed to helping this program grow and improve. She plays for Bill Conroy and the Beverly Bandits and has been exposed to great coaching and opponents. Her experience will be an asset.”
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