Nov. 23, 2004

Toledo, OH - The University of Toledo softball program has signed four recruits to national letters of intent for the 2005-06 campaign, Head Coach Jo Ann Gordon announced today. The program has again broadened its horizons, reaching out to California, Nebraska and Illinois for these four recruits.

"We were looking to sign a top pitcher, catcher and utility infielder in this year's recruiting class," Gordon said. "The addition of these student-athletes, along with the returning players, will give us depth in all positions next year. That's going to be important for us because depth has hindered us in the past of bringing back a winning tradition to Toledo softball."

The first of the California recruits is Whitney Erickson (Danville, CA/Monte Vista). Erickson received all-league honors as a sophomore and junior in addition to being named conference scholar-athlete in those years. She led her team in walks and fewest strikeouts during her sophomore and junior years, and ranked first on the team in batting average (.350) as a sophomore. In November of 2002, Erickson was the youngest player in the AAU Women's Baseball National Championships in Fort Myers, FL. She currently plays for the West Bay Nuggets summer traveling team.

"Whit is a very versatile and strong-armed utility infielder," Gordon said. "She has a great understanding of the game, and is a vocal leader on the field. I expect her to make an immediate impact defensively for us."

The other California native to sign with UT is Sierra Pereira (Alameda, CA/Alameda). Pereira is the Hornets' ace pitcher and helped her team to its fourth consecutive league title last year as a junior. For her efforts throughout the season, Pereira earned first-team all-league, All-East Bay, and All-State utility (pitching and hitting) honors. She compiled similar awards her freshman and sophomore years, receiving second-team all-league and third-team All-East Bay honors as a freshman, and first-team all-league, second-team All-East Bay honors as a sophomore. She was also honored at the prestigious Livermore Stampede tournament as the Gold Glove Pitching award winner during her sophomore year. Pereira is currently a teammate with Erickson on the West Bay Nuggets summer traveling team.

"Sierra is a pitcher that I expect to make an immediate impact for the program," Gordon said. "She is a hard worker both on the field and in the classroom. She has excellent control and movement on her pitches, as well as poise on the mound."

Nov. 11, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University softball team announced the signing of highly-touted California prospect, Stephanie Royall, to its 2005-06 freshman class on Thursday as the Bulldogs' coaching staff kicked off its fall early-signing period.

Royall, a crafty pitching phenom from Mill Valley, Calif., has earned first-team all-league honors three times and was named Tamalpais High School's Most Valuable Player in 2002, 2003 and 2004. She stands 5-10 and uses her movement and location to pick apart hitters.

"Stephanie will be a great addition to our pitching staff next year," said Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham. "She is an outstanding player and we are excited about the talent that she will bring to our team."

Royall also competes for the prestigious West Bay Nuggets Gold club team located in the San Francisco Bay area and has already recorded 46 strikeouts in 41 innings. In 13 games, she has only given up three earned runs and has held opposing hitters to a miniscule .156 batting average.

The Samford University softball team will begin play in its 2005 season on Tuesday, Feb. 8, as the Bulldogs square off against the Troy Trojans in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m., in Troy, Ala.