Aug 11, 2008

LSSU softball team finalizes recruiting class, which includes two pitchers

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State softball team finalized its summer 2008 recruiting class, which includes pitchers Jillian Willette from Escanaba and Nicole Carstensen from the Maple Grove, Minn.

Willette was 10-3 with a .971 earned run average for the Eskymos, who were ranked in the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Division II Poll throughout the 2008 season. Against 359 batters faced, she totaled 83 strikeouts. She was the top pitcher for a veteran Escanaba team that rotated several pitchers in its lineup.

"We first saw her when she was in grade school, working out and learning her skills on a cold January morning," said LSSU coach Don Myers of the 5-11 hurler. "Since then, she has developed several pitches. Once her rise ball becomes a dominating selection for her, she will be difficult to face."

Carstensen, a transfer from the University of North Dakota, appeared in 13 games and had a 4.39 ERA for the Fighting Sioux. She received the 2008 Hardest Worker Award from the UND softball team. Carstensen helped lead Maple Grove Senior High School to the 2006 Minnesota State Finals. As a senior captain in 2007, she earned second-team all-state honors, all-conference honors and was a member of the Minnesota All-Star Team. She batted .471 with a .507 on-base percentage that year.

Myers said that Carstensen also has a variety of pitches, and she and Willette will join senior Nikki Christensen in the pitching rotation.

"She is also a very good batter - very selective," Myers added. "Her competitiveness and knowledge of the game should help her battle for a position when she's not pitching."

LSSU also signed Monroe catcher Brittany Cousino and Utica utility player Kathryn Mulka. They join Rockford first baseman Samantha Klinkner, who signed her National Letter of Intent in November, 2007.

Cousino helped lead Monroe High School to the Division I state quarterfinals in 2007. She earned all-region honors that year. As a senior, she batted .262 with a .390 slugging percentage as Monroe finished the season receiving honorable mention in the MHSSCA Poll. She played for the Michigan Diamonds 18-under team this summer.

"We were looking for a back-up to junior catcher Nichole Dunford and were impressed with Brittany's play when we saw her this summer," Myers said. "She'll get some time to get to know our pitchers and will be a big help to the battery."

Mulka was named Utica High School's top offensive player in 2007 and top defensive player in 2008. She batted .333 and had six stolen bases, and played third base, first base and outfield for the Chieftains this spring. She earned All-Macomb Area Conference First Team and All-Macomb County Honorable Mention in 2008.

"During our winter clinic last year, Kathryn stood out when it came to hustle, interest, determination and ability to work on offensive skills that enable her to get on base," Myers said. "She is fairly quick and can push the ball behind the runner if required."

Klinkner earned MHSSCA Division I All-State First-Team honors as a first baseman in 2008. She will give the Lakers' an addition long-ball threat.

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