Lions softball adds four for 2011
Joplin, Mo. – Missouri Southern softball coach Bill Gray has announced the signing of four players to add to his 2010 recruiting class as all will enroll at Southern this fall and begin play for the Lions in the spring of 2011.
The players include two junior college transfers and two freshmen from the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and California.
Nicole Reed is a 5-8 utility player from Fresno, California and will pitch, as well for the Lions. Originally a member of the Fresno State University softball team, Reed spent the past two seasons at Fresno City College and will have two years of eligibility remaining for the Lions.
Last season as a sophomore, Reed appeared in 28 games on the mound, starting 22 and ended the season with a 20-5 record and a 1.30 ERA in 155.2 innings pitched. She struck out 164 batters, while walking just 54 and had 18 complete games. As a hitter, Reed batted .364 with 15 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 23 RBIs in 121 at bats. She struck out just five times in the season. As a freshman in 2009, Reed hit .347 with 15 doubles, two home runs and 30 RBIs, striking out just seven times.
A 2007 graduate of Clovis High School, Reed played for coach Mike Noel where she started all four seasons. She was an All-Valley, All-State and All-TRAC selection her senior year, captaining the team. She also was a three-year letter winner in volleyball. The daughter of Sandra and Tony Reed, Nicole is undecided on her major at Southern.
"Nicole will be a large part of our success next season," said. "Her ability on the mound and at the plate will make an immediate impact. Her experience at Fresno State and at Fresno City CC will help her be a leader on the 2011 squad."
At Girard, Poteat lettered four years in both softball and basketball, while lettering three years in volleyball. She was a four-year starter at shortstop for coach Jerry O'Rand and the Trojans where she was a first-team All-Conference pick three times. She was the 2007 Southeast Kansas Player of the Year, and an All-State selection in 2008, helping the Trojans to back-to-back conference championships and a state runner-up finish. The daughter of Ross and Torry Poteat, Alysha plans to major in criminal justice at Southern.
"Alysha has been a winner everywhere she has been," Gray said. "She will be an impact player on defense and at the plate."
Chloe Brown is a 5-4 utility player from Springdale, Arkansas and a 2010 graduate of Springdale High School. A four-year starter for coach Angela Taylor, Brown was an All-Conference selection and was named the team's MVP. She helped Springdale to the state tournament in both softball and volleyball.
Also a two-year starter in volleyball at Springdale, Brown started two years in tennis and another year in swimming. The daughter of Thad and Julie Brown, Chloe plans to major in education at Southern.
"Chloe will give us depth at several positions," Gray said. "Her ability to play third base, in the outfield and on the mound will give her the opportunity to be a contributor very soon."
Pamala Bonnell is a 5'6 left-handed pitcher/first basemen and a native of Branson, Mo. where she played at Hollister High School. A 2010 graduate, Bonnell was a four year starter for coach Marty Phillips and the Tigers.
As a freshman, Bonnell was an honorable-mention All-Conference selection and followed that up with an All-Conference, All-Area and All-District campaign her sophomore season. As a junior she was an All-Conference and All-Area pick, while being named All-District, All-Conference and All-Area as a senior this past year. She helped the Tigers to a district and sectional championship as a junior and a district championship this past year. The daughter of Carl and Donna Bonnell, Pamala plans to major in education at Southern.
"Pamala will give us a left-hander on the mound," Gray said. "She will give us the needed depth to be successful in the MIAA."
