Marshall University Athletics
Softball Signs Three In Late Signing Period
6/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Softball Signs Three In Late Signing Period
6/3/2004
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall softball coach Shonda Stanton has announced the signing of three players to National Letters of Intent to play for the Thundering Herd in the spring of 2005. Veronica Ralston (Tucson, Ariz.), Samantha Rodriguez (Oakley, Calif.), and Amanda Chamberlain (Moses Lake, Wash.) all signed with Marshall in the late signing period.
Ralston most recently competed at Pima Community College in Tucson, where her team won the Junior College Division I Championship and posted a 70-8 record in 2004. Ralston was selected as a first team All-Region and second team All- ACCAC member after posting a 27-3 record this season and winning MVP honors at the national championship tournament. She will have two years of eligibility remaining when competition starts in early 2005.
"Roni is a great player who will add depth to our pitching staff and push our returnees to be better players," said Stanton. "Her accolades speak for themselves."
Rodriguez was a shortstop on her Freedom High School team in Oakley, California, where she competed on the varsity squad for three years and was an all-league selection in 2004. Her high school team posted a 26-3 record this year, with Rodriguez leading the way in the middle of the order. Rodriguez's team claimed the Blossom Valley Athletic League title for three straight years, and the North Coast Section 3A East Bay Championships for the last two.
"Sam is a very versatile player who can play all four positions in the infield," said Stanton. "She can hit for power and has a lot of pop in her bat."
Chamberlain comes to Marshall from Northern Idaho College in Couer d'Alene, Idaho, and is the sister of recently-departed Sarah Chamberlain, who played for the Thundering Herd for three seasons. Chamberlain caught two seasons with the Cardinals after leading Moses Lake High School to the District title as a sophomore and a second-place league finish as a senior. She finished her senior year at Moses Lake with a .381 batting average and a 1.000 fielding percentage. Chamberlain was named All Conference Big 9 Catcher of the Year for 2001 and 2002, and was the Big 9 Defensive Player of the Year for 2002.
"Amanda will add needed depth to our team behind the plate." said Stanton. "We know she'll work hard for us and do what is needed to win."
The signing of these three rounds out a tremendous class that also includes Rachel Folden of Diamond Bar, Calif. and Dee Tourville of Rescue, Calif. Folman played at Diamond Bar High School and swung for a .454 batting average her junior year with an on-base percentage of .464, while Tourville played at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, Calif., where she was a two-time All-SVC performer.
