Hancock, MI. – September 14, 2011: Finlandia
University women’s softball coach Shawn Hendrickson has
announced that 14 student-athletes have committed to the
2012 women’s softball program.
The talented 14 player class joins 9 returning letter
winners looking to improve upon their school record
25-11 season a year ago. The incoming class includes 5
players from California, 4 from Michigan (including 1
from the U.P.), and 1 each from Texas, North Carolina,
Alaska, Wisconsin, and New York . Twelve of the players
are true freshman with two transfer student-athletes
from Fullerton College (CA.) entering the season with
junior eligibility.
Fans looking for a chance to see the 2012 team in action
can watch the Lions play in their 1st annual Blue/White
intrasquad game on Saturday, September 24th at the
Hancock Driving Park softball field. The first pitch is
set for 2:00 p.m. EST.
For more information on the women’s softball team you
can contact Coach Hendrickson at shawn.hendrickson@finlandia.edu.
Listed below are the 14 new student- athletes that
are currently attending Finlandia and playing softball
for the Lions this year. A short player profile with
comments from Coach Hendrickson about each recruit is
listed below.
Kayla Avila (Lytle, Texas)
Kayla will see playing time at short stop, second base,
and third base this year for the Lions. During her high
school years playing shortstop she was named to the
All-District first team for two years in a row, was
given the “Blood and Guts” Award, The Offensive Player
of the Year Award, and The Golden Glove Award. Kayla’s
experience, grit and determination will be a huge asset
to the further success of the Lions program.
Miranda Brewer (Harrison, Michigan)
Miranda is a huge asset to the Lion’s pitching staff
this year. She holds her high school record for the most
strike-outs in her four year career, she was voted
Female Athlete of the Year, she was named Honorable
Mention three years in a row for softball, 1st Team
All-Conference, 2-year All-Conference Sportsmanship
Award, and was also named to the Honorable Mention Team
for volleyball. Miranda’s experience and expertise on
the mound is a huge benefit to the Lions Program.
Brittney Coleman (Anchorage, Alaska)
Brittney was a four-year started for her high schools
softball team as well as playing travel ball for nearly
twelve years. Her team was state champions in both 2009
and 2010. She played shortstop during her high school
years, but with her great eye and speed will
predominately play outfield for the Lions this year. She
will also be playing for Finlandia Women’s Hockey Team,
and is quite an accomplished athlete there as well,
playing for Team Alaska for eight years, her high school
team for all four years, and took 8th in the nation in
2009.
Sarah Cox (Palmdale, California)
Sarah’s exceptional speed will make her a huge asset to
the Lions softball program. She runs from home to first
in 2.5 seconds and from home to home in just 11 seconds.
She’s currently just a right handed hitter, but
currently being switched over to the left. Coach
Hendrickson says, “She is the fastest softball player
he’s ever seen.” She was a dual sport athlete in high
school playing both softball and basketball. She was
named captain and team MVP for both her Junior and
Senior years, and named to the All-Star Team her senior
year.
Nicole Cullen (Lancaster, California)
Nicole was another all-around high school athlete
playing not only softball but also volleyball and
basketball. She received All-League Awards for softball
during her junior and senior seasons, and All-League
First Team for volleyball. She was named captain of both
her softball and basketball teams during both her junior
and senior years. During her senior year she was a
member of the Academic Merit Roll, and she is also
privileged to be a 2011 Alpha Charter Guild Debutante.
Nicole will see time in the outfield, but most on the
middle infield, excelling at both the positions of
shortstop and second base.
Taylor Davis (Fowler, Michigan)
Taylor is an all-around athlete but her true love is
softball. She will be a utility player for the Lions
with the capability and knowledge to man several
positions. During her high school career she was awarded
the Coaches Award and was also a three-year Varsity
softball team member. Taylor is an extremely talented
all-around softball player who mainly plays catcher but
will also play several positions in the outfield for the
Lions. She was awarded the Coaches Award for her hard
work, tireless effort, and extreme dedication to her
high school team this year. She put up impressive
numbers with a batting average of .378, 36 rbi's and had
38 throw-outs behind the plate.
Niki Hieda (Corona, California)
Niki is a transfer student from Fullerton Junior College
in California where she played both outfield and second
base; she will continue to see time at both positions
this year for the Lions. During her high school years
she was her team captain and a four-year starter on her
softball team, and won several honors while playing
junior college softball. During high school she was
named to the All-League team and during her Junior
College play she was named to the Honorable Mention team
while also winning the Marian Mendoza Award.
Katiellen Newman (Ontario, California)
Katiellen is an exceptional athlete as well as an
exceptional student. She was on her school’s academic
honor roll for two consecutive years, as well as earning
three Varsity letters in softball. She was also named
captain for two consecutive years. Katie will see some
time in the outfield but predominately at both shortstop
and third base. She is a very gifted instinctual
athlete.
Brittany Pittman (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Brittany will play both outfield and first-base for the
Lions. She is an all-around athlete playing softball,
swimming and bowling while in high school. Brittany has
a great work ethic and is willing to go above and beyond
what is required from her to benefit the Lions program.
Lashonda Pride (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Lashonda was a four-year varsity starter for her high
school softball program, predominately playing catcher
and outfield, which she will share time at both
positions for the Lions this year. Lashonda has a pure
love for the sport that shows in all aspects of her
game. She was names to her high school All-Conference
team and well as being named team Most Valuable Player.
Alice Stockinger (Putman Valley, New York)
Alice was a four year member of her varsity softball
team, as well as four years on her high school’s Varsity
bowling team. She was named captain of both teams during
her senior year. She was named to the First Team All
Section and All League in softball and named to the All
League team twice as a bowler as well as qualifying for
sectionals all four years. She was named to the Journal
News and the First Team Putnam County News for her
exceptional softball play. Alice is a gifted pitcher who
will see plenty of time on the mound, as well as some
time at First base for the Lady Lions.
Erica Taft (Rowland Heights, California)
Erica is also a transfer student from Fullerton Junior
College in California playing both outfield and
shortstop, where she will also continue to see time for
the Lions this year. During her high school years she
was named Most-Improved and during her senior year she
was named to the Honorable Mention team. She was awarded
the Charlie Hustle Award, for her hard work, hustle and
drive. She was named Most-Improved her freshman year at
Fullerton Junior College and named team captain her
sophomore year.
Sam Walters (Cable, Wisconsin)
Sam is a complete all-around athlete. She was named the
Senior Athlete of the Year for her high school and she
won the Army Reserve Scholar Athlete of the year. During
her high school softball career she was named Team
Rookie of the Year, named to the Indian Head
All-Conference team three years in a row in addition to
being named team captain and team MVP three years in a
row. As a senior, she was named Indian Head Conference
Player of the Year and ranked 3rd in the state of
Wisconsin for runs batted in. She was also a four-year
varsity letter winner in both volleyball and basketball
and will also be a member of our Lion's Women's
Basketball program. Sam is an extremely talented pitcher
who will see time on the mound for the Lions this year.
Paige Yoho (Negaunee, Michigan)
Paige was a three sport all-around athlete during her
high school years, participating in softball, basketball
and tennis. She was named Honorable Mention in
basketball her senior year and received the NIT
Scholarship. Paige was also named to the All-District
softball team three years in a row. Paige is motivated
and an extremely hard worker. She will be as asset to
the Lions softball program. Paige has experience in the
outfield as well as being able to man both 2nd and 3rd
base. Paige will also be a member of the Finlandia
Women’s Basketball Team.
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