WOLVES SOFTBALL ADDS SEVEN IN 2003 RECRUITING CLASS

ABERDEEN, S.D.: Northern State Head Softball Coach Paula Krueger has announced that seven athletes have indicated that they will attend Northern State University and play softball for the Wolves next season. Northern State will welcome four high school standouts from the State of South Dakota, two from Minnesota and one from Iowa.

“These young ladies add solid depth to our pitching rotation, as well as strength to our outfield and middle infield,” commented Coach Krueger. “We are very excited to add their strength and ability to our squad. Although we will be young, we have great leadership returning and look forward to a promising 2004 season.”

Following is a player-by-player rundown of the 2003 Northern State University softball recruiting class:

Bonny Athy • St. Charles, Iowa • Pitcher -- Athy was a first team all-conference selection with the Interstate 35 Roadrunners. She helped her team to a 25-4 record while receiving special mention all-state and three varsity letters. Athy also played basketball.

Audrey Decker • St. Charles, Minn. • Pitcher -- Decker earned all-conference and all-section honors in her sophomore and junior seasons at St. Charles High School. She was the KAAL Athlete of the Week and team captain in her junior year as well. Audrey struck out 325 batters in 245.1 innings while compiling a 27-8 pitching record in her last two seasons.

Jenna Drey • Herrick, S.D. • Catcher/Outfielder -- Drey hit .532 with 57 runs scored, two doubles, six triples and five home runs while at Burke High School.

Caitlin Hodges • Hartford, S.D. • Shortstop/Third Baseman -- Hodges earned all-tournament honors at the South Dakota State Tournament in 2002. She also earned West Central High School’s Trojan Award in 2001.

Sara Lipetzky • Sioux Falls, S.D. • Second Baseman -- Lipetzky hit .263 while fielding at a superb .992 percentage for the Dakota Starz summer team. Lipetzky also lettered for the O’Gorman High School team in the fall.

Christi Schulte • Sioux Falls, S.D. • Pitcher -- Schulte struck out 153 batters in 204 innings while compiling a 1.78 earned run average for O’Gorman High School last fall. She also hit .271 with 20 RBIs at the plate as well.

Tanna White • Brooten, Minn. • Shortstop/Catcher -- White was a two-time first team all-conference performer and a golden glove award recipient for BBE High School. She hit .443 with five home runs and a .803 slugging percentage and earned a .981 fielding percentage as well.