LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University softball program released its 2012 recruiting class recently. The Mountaineers welcome nine new student-athletes this season.
“I had two goals going into my 2012 recruiting class, first to build a pitching staff with a good mix of experience and youth, and second to add multidimensional players that I can utilize in many different positions,” second-year EOU head coach Aaron Jackson said. “I believe that I achieved both of these goals and I look forward to adding these student athletes with my returners to begin our climb back to the top of the conference.”
Abigail Barr joins Eastern after an excellent career at Western Mennonite High School. Barr was an honor roll student with 3.8 GPA. She was a first Team All-Conference Pitcher, the MVP Runner-Up All-Conference, and the MVP of the OSAA State 2A Championship. Barr was named to the Class 2A First Team as a pitcher. The 5-8 incoming freshman pitched 27 innings in the state playoffs with no earned runs, 40 strikeouts, allowing 14 hits and a pair of walks.
“Abby comes into our program as a solid pitcher that will add much needed depth to our pitching staff,” Jackson said. “Not only can Abby pitch she can also play in the field and swing the bat which will be a benefit when she is not in the circle.”
Alexandrea Hillmick is an incoming sophomore after being named honorable mention All-Conference as a freshman at Western Oregon University last year. Hillmick returns to eastern Oregon after a standout career at Pendleton High School. She was named a scholar-athlete two years in high school and made the Dean's list first term at Western.
Hillmick was the Intermountain Conference Pitcher of the Year three years in a row in high school. She was tabbed first team all-state and first team All-Conference three years at PHS. The 5-5 Pendleton native was named the team Offensive Player of the Year, conference athlete of the week and Honorable-Mention All-Conference as a freshman at WOU.
“Alex joins our team as a transfer from Western Oregon where she earned honorable mention All-Conference in the GNAC,” Jackson said. “Having coached in the GNAC and knowing the talent in that league that is an impressive honor as a true freshman. I look for Alex to step in and make a difference in the circle right away. Also Alex is multidimensional and I foresee her vying for playing time outside of the circle.”
Alisha Meade enters her freshman season after attending Meade High School in Spokane, Wash. At MHS, Meade received the President's Award for Education Excellence in 2011 and was named to the honor roll all four years.
Meade received the Inland Empire Softball Hall of Fame Scholarship Award last year, along with the Bob McCray Coaches Award. As the team captain in 2011, she was named to the second team in the Greater Spokane League for pitching, she was first team in 2010, second team in 2009, and honorable mention in 2008. Meade lettered all four years and was a member of the GSL championship teams in 2011 and 2010. She received the league’s Rookie of the Year award her freshman season.
“Alisha is a very effective pitcher,” Jackson said. “She is not going to overpower too many hitters but throws with great break and gets great results. Alisha is the type of pitcher that you love to play behind because she gets groundball and fly balls. I look forward to seeing Alisha develop and add depth to my pitching staff.”
Another Spokane standout, Cassie Wendt, joins the Mountaineers in 2012. Wendt was named the Ferris High School Valedictorian after ranking first out of 397 students in 2012. She received the Recognition of Leadership in 2010.
The 5-6 incoming freshman was All-Greater Spokane League Second Team Outfield in 2009, Infield in 2010, and Catcher in 2011. Wendt was the varsity team captain in 2009, 2010, and 2011. She was named the team’s Offensive MVP in 2009, Defensive MVP in 2010, and Most Inspirational in 2011. The Spokane native was named the varsity basketball team’s Most Inspirational player last year as well.
“Cassie comes into our program as a catcher with great ability and a passion for the game,” Jackson said. “Cassie takes control of the game and is a leader from behind the plate. I am excited to get Cassie on campus to help solidify our catching position.”
Hanna Findley is another incoming freshman to this year’s roster. The Hermiston, Ore. native received a pair of scholarships from Eastern Oregon University. At Hermiston High School, Findley was named honorable mention All-IMC in the outfield her freshman season, second-team infield her junior season, and first-team All-CRC infield last season. She had the best batting average at HHS in 2011.
“Hanna is a versatile player with her ability to play almost anywhere on the field,” Jackson said. “She is a hard nose player that is not afraid of selling out.”
Kayla Anderson transfers from Mount Hood Community College after being named to the President’s honor roll and the MHCC Dean’s list.
The Gresham, Ore. native was second-team Southern Region NWAACC pitcher in 2010 and first-team Southern Region NWAACC pitcher in 2011. Anderson was the 2011 MVP of the NWAACC tournament. She was voted the team’s most inspirational player in 2010 and 2011 and team MVP last year.
“Kayla joins our pitching staff as a two-time NWAACC champion,” Jackson said. “She will add much needed experience to a young pitching staff. I look to Kayla to be a leader of our staff and help in the development of my younger pitchers. Kayla has great control and has the ability to overpower hitters but also get results when needed.”
Lacey Price transfers to EOU from Treasure Valley Community College, where she was named the team’s best defensive player in 2010 and 2011. The Boise, Idaho native was named All-Conference in her sophomore and junior seasons in high school. Price was named the best defensive player of her team her junior year of high school.
“Lacey joins us from Treasure Valley Community College,” Jackson said. “Lacey has great speed and swings a big bat for her sizes. I look for Lacey to make a mark in our outfield this season.”
Sydney Carpenter enters her freshman year at Eastern Oregon after graduating Cum Laude from Helena High School. Carpenter was a two-year member of the National Honor Society and received Academic All-State honors for girls basketball her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. She also received second place at the state DECA conference her senior year, and was on the honor roll all four years of high school.
Carpenter lettered in both basketball and softball while at HHS. She received all-tournament honorable mention at the state basketball tournament during her senior year. The Helena native had the second-highest free-throw percentage in the state at 84 percent. She received All-Conference honorable mention at short stop as a sophomore, all-conference honorable mention at catcher as a junior and second team All-State for short stop as a senior.
“Sydney comes to us with the ability to play infield or catcher,” Jackson said. “I have watched Sydney develop from when she was 10 or 12 years old and through her hard work has developed into a strong utility player.”
Tarah Land comes to EOU from Centralia, Wash. She received an AA Degree from Centralia College. At Centralia High School, Land was named the team’s MVP her freshman season and lettered in softball and swimming all four years. She competed in softball, swimming, diving, and cheerleading while at CHS.
“Tarah is another player that comes to us with great versatility,” Jackson said. “Recruited mainly as a corner infielder but also has the ability to play the outfield. With her versatility, she will have the opportunity to compete for a few different spots.”
The Mountaineers competed very well at a scrimmage tournament in Boise against The College of Idaho and Boise State University last week, before defeating its alumni. EOU opens Cascade Collegiate Conference play on March 16, 2012, in La Grande, against Corban University.