Softball | 4/20/2016 3:52:00 PM
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
PORTALES, N.M. — With the end of the 2016 season coming this weekend, Eastern New Mexico University softball coach
Katie Welborn has announced the signing of eight players to national Letters of Intent for next season. With the addition of six junior college transfers and a pair of freshman, the Greyhound softball team should show rapid improvement with the infusion of talent.
Joining the Greyhounds will be
| Courtney Vigil |
(C, Lakewood, Colo./Trinidad State/Bear Creek HS) |
| Samantha Glover |
(OF/INF, Highland, Calif./Trinidad State/Citrus Valley HS) |
| Kamalani Pekenu |
(OF, Carlsbad, Calif./Howard College/Carlsbad HS) |
| Kylee Keller |
(INF, Murrieta, Calif./Howard College/Vista Murrieta HS) |
| Ashley Lopez |
(OF, Palmdale, Calif./Howard College/Pete Knight HS) |
| Courtney Saville |
(P, 5-10, Medina, Ohio/Cuyahoga CC/Brunswick HS) |
| Haley Johnston |
(INF/UTIL, 6-1, Gilbert, Ariz./Campo Verde HS) |
| Cameron Conrad |
(OF, Justin, Texas/Byron-Nelson HS) |
Having played at Trinidad State, Vigil and Glover should bring plenty of experience to ENMU's lineup. The duo has combined to lead the Trojans to 33 wins this season.
"Court and Sam will be such great additions to the program," said Welborn. "They come from a great program and have had such success there, that I have no worries about them competing at this level. They are wonderful players and round out exactly what we needed for next year."
Vigil is currently batting .404 with a .636 slugging percentage, nine homers, and 39 runs batted in. While splitting time between catching and playing third base, she posted a .915 fielding percentage.
Glover has batted .396 with a .575 slugging percentage, five homers, 37 RBIs, and 10 walks. As an outfielder, she has registered four assists and posted a .976 fielding percentage.
The trio of Pekenu, Keller, and Lopez will transfer to ENMU from nearby Howard College. The three players have helped the Hawks post a 33-13 record this season, with an impressive 12-4 record at home.
"These three girls are game changers," said Welborn. "They are automatic impact players and I expect them to come in and be that way right off the bat. Howard is such a great program and I am so blessed to have snagged a few of their girls. I can't wait to have them next year."
Keller is batting .388 for the season with eight homers, 51 runs scored, and 40 runs batted in. With a .937 fielding percentage over 133 opportunities, she should provide a strong defensive presence for the Greyhound infield.
Lopez is batting .347 for the Hawks with two doubles, two homeruns, and 29 runs batted in. She also has contributed three sacrifice bunts and has posted a .975 fielding percentage, with five outfield assists.
Pekenu is batting .281 for HC, with two doubles, a triple, a homer, and 14 runs batted in. With a pair of outfield assists, she has registered a .941 fielding percentage.
Courtney Saville will transfer to ENMU from Cuyahoga Community College, in Cleveland, Ohio, and is expected to immediately bolster the pitching staff. Over 44 innings, she has fanned 50 batters, with just 16 walks, and no homeruns allowed. Saville currently has a 3.50 earned run average along with a .917 fielding percentage.
"Court is such an outstanding signee," said Welborn. "She comes to us from Cuyahoga Community College, and is expected to help us so much on the mound. Courtney and the other pitchers we are bringing in will be fun to watch next year."
In 27 games at Campo Verde High School. Johnston has posted a .412 batting average, with a .495 slugging percentage, 28 runs scored, and 28 runs batted in. She registered four hits in a win against Mesa.
"Haley is such a versatile player," said Welborn. "Her strengths lie in every aspect of the game. She is a threat offensively and is an amazing defender with great range. I expect great things from Haley and cannot wait to see what the next four years hold for her and the Greyhound softball program."
Center fielder Cameron Conrad was a First Team All-District 5-6A selection at Byron Nelson High School, last season. Currently, the Bobcats boast a 14-9-1 record.
"Cameron is going to be a great asset for the Greyhounds next year," said Welborn. "Her speed and sneaky strength will give us such an advantage on the field. She is a great player with such great character, we are lucky to have her."
