EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head softball coach
Mark Redburn has announced the signing of six high school standouts to continue their careers at Evansville. Emma Buckles (St. Louis, Mo.), Danielle Freeman (Hudsonville, Mich.), Kati Gregory (Indianapolis, Ind.), Michal Luckett (Georgetown, Ky.), Susan Norris (Snellville, Ga.), and Chandra Parr (Anna, Ill.) will join the Aces for the 2013-14 season.
“I am extremely happy with this signing class,” says Redburn. “Not only are they the largest class in my four years here at UE, but they bring a tremendous amount of athletic and softball talent that will have an immediate impact on our program. Each player in this group has the ability to play multiple positions, run really well, and hit for power. This group will certainly contribute to the continued development of our program’s growth both on the field and in the classroom.”
Emma Buckles, P/1B/OF, St. Louis, Mo./Webster Groves H.S.
Notable: Hit .573, had 37 RBI’s and 5 homeruns at one of the more successful programs in the St. Louis area, Webster Groves coached by Bryan Gibson, which has won district the last two seasons and came away with a conference championship last season…pitched with a record of 11-2 during high school season…plays for the club team the Worth Prospects out of St. Louis…named to the 2012 1st Team All-State as well as grabbing Conference Player of the Year…named high school female athlete of the year as well as being academic all state, a four-time scholar athlete, and a member of National Honor Society.
Redburn on Buckles: “Emma is a great athlete that gives our team several options both offensively and defensively. She will be hard to defend at the plate as she can hit three different ways--swing away, slap, and drag from the left side. Defensively, she can pitch, play first base, and if she is not playing either of those two positions, then she can play center field.”
Danielle Freeman, SS/OF/P, Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville High School
Notable: Played for Tom Vruggink as starting short stop last year at Hudsonville where they won the 2012 large school state championship...asa junior, she was named an All-State softball player…named 8-time State Swimming Champion in the 50 and 100-yard Freestyle…played this past summer with the successful Compuware organization headed by Scott Combs.
Redburn on Freeman: “Danielle not only knows how to win, but she wins at the highest level in both softball and swimming. Her work ethic and strength are off the charts. She has dedicated herself to being the absolute best teammate and player she can be. She runs, well, hits from the right side for power, and has an extremely strong arm. Her athleticism gives us a lot of options for her defensively.”
Kati Gregory, C/3B,1B, Indianapolis, Ind./Speedway High School
Notable: Led her team in hitting last year as a junior with a .462 at bat and tallying 3 homeruns…was selected All-Conference as a freshman, sophomore, and junior while earning All-County her junior year…played for the club team the Indy Dreams under Craig Bell this past summer…named Phi Beta Kappa Outstanding Junior as well as being the National Honor Society President…ranked #1 in her class academically.
Redburn on Gregory: “Kati is very smart and picks up quickly what we want our players to know and perform defensively here at UE. Her quick hands, strong arm, and the ability to use the hands through the hitting zone are her strengths. Kati will most likely see much of her time behind the plate where she will have a chance to utilize her strong arm in shutting down the running game of any opponent we face. She is also very quick with the bat at the plate and hits with some power now, but she certainly has the potential to develop into a very good power hitter in the future.”
Michal Luckett, SS, Georgetown, Ky./Scott County High School
Notable: Named 1st Team All-State at Scott County High School where the short stop and the rest of her team will have the chance at getting back to the State Tournament…plays for the club team Central Kentucky Force in the summer which is coached by Gary Johnson…ranked in the top 1% academically in her class.
Redburn on Luckett: “Michal helped lead both teams last year at the short stop position and she continues to get even better each year. She is very quick with great range and although I have seen players with great range in the past, Michal has an arm that can throw runners out while she stands in the grass. Although she is already strong, her size and frame will allow for even more strength development. She competes every play and goes hard until the very last out. Her desire and determination will take her where she wants to go.”
Susan Norris, 3B, Snellville, Ga./Brookwood High School (Gwinnett County Public Schools)
Notable: Named four-time All-Region 8 5A Selection and Gwinnett County Defensive Player of the Year…member of the 2012 ASA Georgia State Championship team…has been a long time player for the club team the Vipers under coach Ed Prance…older sister Lisa pitched at the University of North Carolina and is currently an assistant coach at Georgia Tech.
Redburn on Norris: “Susan is very talented at third base with size, hands, and an arm. What is even more impressive about Susan is how smooth she plays the position. She is under control and moves effortlessly while she uses her size and quickness for increased lateral range as well as the ability to attack the short game. Susan will come in and add some offensive power, speed, and some aggressive, but smart, base running right away to the lineup. Even more impressive about Susan is her knowledge of the game and being able to communicate it clearly. She doesn’t just rely on physical ability for success."
Chandra Parr, OF/SS, Anna, Ill./Anna Jonesboro CHSD
Notable: Named All-South player as a sophomore and junior...made All-Conference team all three years of high school...holds the school record with 38 stolen bases in a single season...serves as the Vice President of the Student Counsel while also holding the Vice President spot in her Local Honor Society.
Redburn on Parr: “Chandra is a player that sets the tone offensively as she is use to hitting in the 1-2 spot. She does a really good job with putting the bat where she needs to regardless of where the pitch location occurs. At the same time, she increases her on-base percentage because of good pitch selection and her speed. Once she is on base she is always looking to take an extra base and does a great job of reading middle infielders, the catcher, and the pitcher. She certainly has a very aggressive mentality when she is on base. Her athletism as a center fielder and short stop also complements her overall game. Chandra is almost back to 100% as she injured her knee last year during the spring high school season. As a result, she was not able to play this past summer but will jump right back in to where she left off for this upcoming high school and summer seasons. She has worked extremely hard and done everything possible and I anticipate the upcoming seasons will go great for her."
