Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball signs three during NCAA Early Signing Period
11/09/2005 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Nov. 9, 2005
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University's softball coach Kerri Blaylock announced Wednesday that the program has signed three athletes to join the team for the 2007 season. Alicia Garza, Allie Hanson and Katie Wilson all signed National Letters of Intent during the NCAA's early signing period.
"I believe this is another very solid recruiting class to go along with the last several that we have had," said Blaylock. "We addressed our needs in trying to replace what we are losing."
The incoming freshmen should have an easy time fitting in with the rest of the team as some have played together before on travel teams.
Garza and sophomore Tiffanie Dismore played on the same Magic Gold summer team out of Lafayette, Ind.
Hanson played on the Southern Force Gold summer team with three member's of this year's freshman class: Katie Wagner, Katie Schmidt and Katie McNamara.
Wilson played on the St. Louis Chaos Gold summer team with Chelsea Petty and Becky Wegmann.
"This class fits in really well because they know and have played with many of the current players. We are excited about their potential to make an immediate impact as freshmen," said Blaylock.
Blaylock's newest class will replace a senior class that has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of its three seasons. The seniors have also been a part of two MVC Championship teams.
Blaylock believes that this class has the ability to come in and help sustain the team's reputation as one of the top softball teams in the country.
Garza is a second-baseman from McCutcheon High School in Lafayette, Ind. She is a three-time all-conference selection and has earned Team MVP twice. She was also named second team All-State in 2004.
As a junior, Garza picked up 34 hits in 77 at bats for a .442 hitting percentage. She hit one home run and three triples, with 12 RBI. She was also fifth on the team in putouts with 45.
After taking sectional and regional honors, her high school team finished runner-up in the 4A state championship in 2005.
In 2002, Garza was a member of the A Class Indiana Magic team that won the NSA National Championship. The team was also national runner-up in 2000.
Currently a member of the Indiana Magic Gold, the team finished 17th at the Gold Nationals in 2005.
"Alicia is a tremendous defensive second baseman. She has great knowledge of the game and is such a smart player on the infield," said Blaylock. "We look for her to step in and compete to start at second. She has played a very competitive summer schedule and will be ready to jump into Division I softball."
Hanson is a catcher and utility player from Marion High School in Marion, Ill.
She has lettered in four sports (track, volleyball, basketball and softball) in her three years in high school.
Hanson earned second-team all-conference and second-team All-South honors as a freshman. As a sophomore and a junior she was named to the first-team all-conference and first-team All-South.
She was also named South Seven Conference MVP for the 2005 season. As a junior, she recorded 46 RBI on 64 hits, including nine home runs, for a .561 hitting percentage. Of her 64 hits as a junior, 28 of them were for extra bases
Hanson was also able to do the job defensively, picking up 258 put outs and 22 assists.
Her team has also been successful during her time as Marion High School recorded back-to-back conference and regional championships in 2004 and 2005, advancing to win the sectional championship in 2005.
"Allie is a great local talent that we wanted to keep at SIU and close to home. She has tremendous power and had a breakout summer playing with the Southern Force," said Blaylock. "We believe she will contribute immediately and we are excited to have her become a Saluki."
Wilson is an outfielder and utility player out of Alton High School in Alton, Ill. She is a three-time All-Southwestern Conference selection.
She was all-region by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch during her sophomore and junior years.
Wilson also earned Telegraph Player of the Year honors as a sophomore and junior, and was also named the Belleville News-Democrat Player of the Year.
As a junior, she was also named first-team All-State after hitting .492 with eight home runs and 39 RBI.
"Katie has tremendous tools. She can hit for power, has speed and a great throwing arm. She fits the mold of several players that we have gotten in the last few years," said Blaylock. "We are fortunate to get Katie because she was highly recruited and she has had great success at the summer level against great competition and knows how to win."
SIU finished the 2005 season with a school-record 47 wins, breaking the old mark of 45 set in 2004. The Salukis return 14 of 18 athletes from last year's NCAA Tournament team, including All-MVC First Team selections Cassidy Scoggins and Krystal Stein, and All-MVC Second Team selections Lauren Roney and Samantha Carter.
The Salukis open the 2006 season Feb. 10 -12 at the Triple Crown Invitational in St. Augustine, Fla.
