Lakers bring in six players during spring recruiting period

SAULT STE. MARIE – The Lake Superior State softball coaching staff has brought in six players, including three pitchers, during the spring recruiting season. Two of the pitchers, Felicia Gingrich and Danielle Reveley, are younger siblings of former Laker softball players.

Gingrich (St. Johns, Mich.) is the sister of former Laker outfielder Vanessa Gingrich and led St. Johns High School to a Division 1 district title this season. She was 20-12 with six shutouts and 255 strikeouts. She batted .336 and earned all-region and All-Mid-Michigan Athletic Conference First Team honors. Last summer, Gingrich helped lead Hang Tuf out of Williamston to a third-place 18U national tournament finish.

Reveley (St. Clair Shores, Mich.), who is the sister of former Laker pitcher Stephanie Reveley, is a four-time Macomb All-Academic Team member and three-time Division I all-region selection. She also earned all-county, Macomb Athletic Conference White Division and all-state honors in 2010 after batting .337 with a .404 on-base percentage and 21 RBIs. She had a .981 fielding percentage with 53 putouts, 52 assists and two errors at second base.

“Felicia has an explosive-type windup and release, and she should prove to be a keeper,” said recently retired LSSU coach Don Myers, who recruited the class of 2010-11. “Dani has been to our winter clinics. She pitched some in high school, but is a second baseman who can cover the field, hit and run. She brings experience to the team.”

Emily Markey (Armada, Mich.) was one of two standout pitchers for Armada High School, which finished 30-9 after losing 3-0 to Stevensville Lakeshore in the 2010 Division 2 state semifinals. Armada reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 1979. Markey batted .255 with 17 RBIs and received All-Blue Water Area Conference Honorable Mention. She was 10-5 as a pitcher with 100 strikeouts and a 2.06 ERA.

“We had this student-athlete in our winter camp, and her smooth delivery impressed us,” Myers said. “She has several pitches, which will enable her to contribute on the mound in a significant way.”

Myers also recruited position players Lindsay Clemens (Boyne City, Mich.), Heather Cuthrell (Waterford, Mich.) and Joelle Peterson (Grass Lake, Mich.).

Clemens, an outfielder, is a slap hitter with a .405 batting average and 20 stolen bases for Boyne City High School. She had a .461 on-base percentage and committed just one error for the Ramblers’ defense.

“This fleet-footed outfielder should help the Lakers increase their stolen-base percentage in upcoming years,” Myers said. “When she fully adapts to the left-handed slapping and drag-bunt offense, she will be even more valuable.”

Cuthrell is a four-time all-academic, all-district and All-Oakland Activities Association player at Waterford Mott High School, which finished 28-10 and won Division 1 district and OAA titles in 2010. She had a career batting average of .435 with 10 home runs, 106 RBIs and 111 stolen bases. She also had a .932 fielding percentage.

“This highly-regarded athlete can play almost any position,” Myers said. “She has always played summer ball for the top-rated teams in the state. Because of her speed and quick bat, she gives our team a distinct advantage.”

Peterson is a four-year starting first baseman for Division 3 district champion Grass Lake High School. She is a two-time All-Cascade Conference and all-region honoree. During the 2010 regular season, she batted .420 with 52 RBIs and five home runs, and she committed only two errors. She has 15 career home runs and 175 RBIs. Peterson also earned all-conference honors in golf and basketball.

“She hits with authority and can make a difference in a game,” Myers said. “When we watched her play, she showed maturity and a dedication required at our level.”

LSSU’s recruiting class also includes Fall 2009 signees Amanda Maxon (Munising, Mich.), Kailee Doorlag (Lawton, Mich.) and Haleigh Edgar (Tecumseh, Mich.).

Maxon batted .658 this season and posted an impressive career batting average of .603 for Munising High School. In 2010, she totaled 16 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 31 RBIs. She received all-state honorable mention in Division 4.

Doorlag, a sophomore third baseman, batted .380 with 29 RBIs for Kalamazoo Valley Community College (26-6) in 2010. She earned All-Michigan Community College Athletic Association Second Team honors while helping KVCC to a runner-up finish in the MCCAA Western Conference.

Malloch, a utility player, batted .482 with two home runs, 23 RBIs and 12 stolen bases for Grand Ledge High School.