Softball Signs Three

12/7/2004

The newest recruiting class for the softball coaching staff will be the first for the Herd as a member of Conference USA in 2006.
Photo by Matt Riley

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.? Marshall University softball coach Shonda Stanton has announced the signing of three players scheduled to emblazon the Green and White in 2006. J.J. Bitner (Virginia Beach, Va.), Rachael Sofie (Everett, Wash.), and Rachel Schmidt (Alliance, Ohio) have all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Herd.

Bitner is a three-time All-conference and All-region performer at Princess Anne High School for coach Dennis Nixon. As a sophomore, Bitner was First-Team All-Beach Conference, First-Team All-Southeastern Region and Second-Team All-State as an outfielder before picking up First-Team All-Conference, All-Region and All-State accolades as a utility player her junior year. Bitner was also recognized as Virginian Pilot Sports Writers All-Tidewater First-Team in 2003 and 2004. Bitner plays summer ball for the VA Legends. She is also a four-year letterwinner in volleyball.

?J.J. has the ability to make an immediate impact,? Stanton said. ?Her natural quickness and arm strength make her a prototypical outfielder. Batting from the left side, her speed and quickness caters to our style of play and will put pressure on a lot of defenses. We believe J.J. will be a talented outfielder and such a valuable addition to our program.?

Sofie is a three-year starter at third base for coach Wendy Close at Cascade High School. She was honored by the WESCO League three times, honorable mention as a freshman, second-team as a sophomore and first-team as a junior, while being named a 2004 Seattle Times ?Player to Watch?. Sofie was named Cascade?s Most Valuable Player as a junior and plays summer ball for the Washington Sidewinders 18 Gold. She was selected to the All-World Team at the 2003 NFPSA Western Nationals.

?We are thrilled to have Rachael join our program because she plays with so much energy and enthusiasm and will instantly earn the respect of our players with her hard work and determination,? Stanton said. ?Rachael?s combination of speed and strength give her the versatility to play anywhere. Her passion for the game is contagious and will elevate our program.?

Schmidt, a four-year starter at Marlington High School, was voted team Most Improved Player in 2003 before earning a Most Valuable Player nod in 2004. Marlington has won the Northeast Buckeye Conference five years in a row. Schmidt batted .413 a year ago with 28 RBI and currently holds the school record for home runs in a season. Schmidt will graduate in June of 2005 in the top 10% of her class. She plays summer ball for Ohio Ice.

?At 5?10?, Rachel has great size and power potential at the plate,? Stanton said. ?She is extremely driven to succeed both on the field and in the classroom. We are pleased to have signed such a quality individual, and we are excited to see her develop over the next four years.?

The recruiting class represents the first for Stanton in Conference USA.

?This is a tremendous class with the abilities and mindset to make a difference,? Stanton said. ?These players, along with our veteran group of returners, will provide a solid team ready to compete in Conference USA.?

The 2005 edition of Marshall softball begins play on the road at the UNLV Rebel Kick Off Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. The Herd takes on the host Rebels on Feb. 4 at 3:45 p.m. PST.

www.herdzone.com

Marshall University Athletics

Related Videos