Spratt adds five players to complete 2011 roster
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Columbia, Mo. - Columbia College softball head coach officially announced today that she has signed five new players to national letters of intent to play softball for Columbia College in 2011. With the addition of Taylor Richter, who signed in October, Spratt concludes her recruiting for the 2010-11 academic year.
Included in the 2011 recruiting class are junior Jessica Bartlett and freshman Kristin Eiken, Whitni Howell, Marli Hayes and Alex Ridenhour.
Bartlett comes to Columbia after spending the last two years at Mineral Area College. Originally from Rich Fountain, Mo., Jessica played at Fatima High School for four years. As a freshman at Mineral Area College Bartlett earned first team all-conference and all-region and was named an NJCAA third team All-American. The outfielder hit .374 with 21 doubles, 11 homeruns and 59 RBI’s.
Kristin Eiken joins the Cougars after finishing a successful career at Blair Oaks High School. Eiken, a Wardsville, Mo. native, helped the Falcons to four straight district and conference championships, highlighted by winning the 2009 State Championships. Kristin was a team captain and a first team all-conference, all-district and all-region honorable mention selection. Kristin also competed in basketball and track at Blair Oaks. Off the field Kristin is a member of the National Honor Society and on the Honor Roll and Superintendent’s List.
Whitini Howell, a Jefferson City native, attended Jefferson City High School and was a member of the National Honor Society and the Honor Roll. Whitini led her squad to a 2009 State 4A Championship while taking in all-district, all-region and all-state honors.
A third baseman from Jefferson City, Mo., Marli Hayes also played high school ball at Jefferson City High School with Howell. Marli hit .349 for the State Champion Lady Jays and was named to the all-state team for her efforts. Hayes has been on the honor roll since 2006 and holds a 3.9 GPA mid-way through her senior year.
Finally Alex Ridenhour, a Belle, Mo. native, attended Belle High School. Redenhour, also a cross country, track and basketball star, led her team to a fourth place finish at the state championships. In four seasons, Alex and her teammates went undefeated in conference play. Ridenhour was an all-conference, all-district and all-region selection in 2009. The outfielder is an honor roll member and the National Honor Society Treasurer.
“All five of these student-athletes were impact players on teams that competed in and excelled in the postseason this year,” stated Spratt. “Not only are they extremely talented and versatile, they know what it takes to be successful.”