College Softball News

Saint Louis Univ. softball signs four to NLIs

Mickey Smith, Assistant Sports Information Director – Saint Louis University

ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis head softball coach Christy Connoyer has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend the University and play for the Billikens beginning next fall.

The SLU recruiting class is composed of pitcher/infielder Maddie Baalman (Batchtown, Ill./Calhoun H.S.), infielder Miranda Cotton (St. Louis, Mo./MICDS), outfielder Josie Knesel (Ballwin, Mo./Ursuline Academy) and infielder Allie Macfarlane (Leawood, Kan./Blue Valley North H.S.).

“We’re very excited to have four quality student-athletes join the Billiken softball program,” Connoyer said. “A combination of experience, power, versatility and overall athletic ability makes this a great class.

“All of these student-athletes have a passion for softball and love to compete,” Connoyer said. “They have talent in the classroom as well, and they realize the importance and value of a SLU education.”

Baalman is a three-time All-State performer, earning first-team honors as a sophomore and junior and second-team plaudits as a freshman. She was named to the All-Conference team and was the Jacksonville Journal Courier Player of the Year in each of her first three seasons. Baalman posted a 21-4 record, a 0.25 ERA and 321 strikeouts a year ago and also batted .474. Baalman competes for the Worth Prospects travel team.

Baalman also has excelled in volleyball and basketball as well as in the classroom. She has garnered All-Conference recognition in volleyball three times and in basketball once, and she is a National Honor Society member who ranks first in her class.

“Maddie is a talented pitcher who will bring depth and diversity to our program,” Connoyer said. “She will be a terrific complement to our pitching staff, as she mixes pitches well. Maddie can hit and play defense, and she truly enjoys every minute of being on the field.”

Cotton has played second base, shortstop and center field for the St. Louis Academy Gold travel team. She hit .350 with three home runs, 20 triples and 20 stolen bases this year, and she was named Most Valuable Offensive Player at the 2012 All-American Games.

Cotton, who has earned MICDS academic honors each year including first honors as a junior, received the Missouri House of Representatives Glory of Missouri Award in 2012.

“Miranda is a solid infielder who brings speed and quickness to our team,” Connoyer said. “She is a threatening lefty who gets on base and can spark an offense. Miranda loves to play and has an energy and passion for the game.”

This fall, Knesel collected first-team All-State plaudits, made her fourth All-District first team and picked up first-team All-Region and first-team All-Conference laurels for a third time. She earned a spot on the 2012 All-Metro second team, was a second-team All-Conference choice as a freshman and twice was named Ursuline’s MVP.

Knesel registered a .531 batting average in her senior campaign and finished with a .498 career mark. She set three state records – career triples (26), career triples per game (0.29) and triples per game in a season (0.60 in 2013) – and finished among the top 10 in five other categories.

Knesel is a member of the St. Louis Chaos travel team. At Ursuline, she ranks 10th among 200 in her class and is a National Honor Society member.

“Josie is a competitor who has an immense desire to win,” Connoyer said. “She plays in a quality summer program and has gained great experience competing against some of the best across the country. Josie is a positive force on the field and has a tremendous bat. Another lefty in the lineup, she adds incredible depth and speed to our offensive force.”

Macfarlane, who has seen action at third base, second base and shortstop, batted .500 and was named to the Eastern Kansas League first team this fall. She set career and season school records for home runs, RBIs and hits.

As a member of the Mac-N-Seitz Storm travel team, Macfarlane batted .438 and hit eight home runs last summer. She is a four-year member of the Blue Valley North Principal’s Honor Roll and a National Honor Society member.

“Allie is a talented athlete who brings great experience to our squad,” Connoyer said. “She is a true student of the game and has that ‘game sense’ to make plays all across the infield. Allie drives the ball with power, and her calm, consistent presence on the field will transition well to our team.”

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