UNT softball signs seven for 2008 freshman class

by PegNews wire

For the 2008-09 season, seven high school standouts have inked their intent to play softball at the University of North Texas, announced head coach TJ Hubbard on Wednesday.

"What we have is one of the most complete recruiting classes anyone could wish for," said Hubbard. "We inked seven position players who are versatile enough to play anywhere on the field, talented enough to contribute immediately and experienced enough to help lead this program in the right direction. This group’s aggressive style of play, fierce competitiveness and shear athleticism will add more excitement to our talented young roster. These young ladies compliment the last two recruiting classes of strong pitching, infield depth and offensive power. They will prove to be immediate impact players, and add to the already bright future of North Texas softball."

For the 2008-09 school year, the signing class includes the following players: Christie Cuadra (OF, Fort Bend Baptist Academy/Katy, Texas), Caitlin Grimes (C, Arcadia HS/Arcadia, CA), Darrah Hastings (OF, Oak Ridge HS/Conroe, TX), Lisa Johnson (3B, Sherman HS/Sherman, TX), Amber Miller (SS, Arlington Lamar/Arlington, TX), Megan Rupp (OF, Southridge HS/Beaverton, OR) and Lyndi Samuelson (OF, Aledo HS/Aledo, TX).

Christie Cuadra

Cuadra is a three-time all-district and all-state performer at Fort Bend Baptist. She served as team captain during her freshman and sophomore campaigns and is a two-time team MVP. The outfielder was named offensive player of the year as a freshman and defensive player of the year following her sophomore year. Cuadra plays travel ball for Texas Eclipse Gold.

"Christi is one of the fastest players we’ve found in a while," said Hubbard. "She will provide another left-handed stick to our lineup and has the ability to stretch singles to doubles and doubles to triples. Although a catcher in high school, Christie will be showing off her range in the outfield while at North Texas."

Caitlin Grimes

Grimes has been a varsity player at Arcadia High School in Arcadia, CA since her freshman year. The catcher is a three-time All-Pacific League Second Team honoree and was a part of two league championships as a sophomore and junior at Arcadia. At the plate, she batted .700 as a freshman and .576 during her sophomore campaign. Grimes has played travel ball for the So Cal Pride Gold since 2003. In 2006, Grimes and the SC Pride placed ninth at Nationals. They also placed third at the ASA Independence Day Tournament and were runner-ups at the ASA Hall of Fame Tournament in Oklahoma City, OK.

"Caitlin’s arm strength and accuracy behind the plate will keep potential base runners at bay," said Hubbard. "She can single-handedly shut down an opponent’s running game. Caitlin’s bat will add some offensive power and RBI production to the middle part of our lineup."

Darrah Hastings

Hastings was a three-time all-district performer for Oak Ridge High School in Conroe, Texas. The outfielder was also a two-time All-Montgomery County honoree and was named Houston Chronicle Player of the Week in 2005. She received Newcomer of the Year honors in 2005 and Clutch Player of the Year accolades in 2006. Hastings plays travel ball for Texas Sudden Impact Gold

"Darrah is another solid, versatile, athletic utility player that will add depth to our outfield and infield," said Hubbard. "Darrah’s bat will be a welcome compliment to the lineup. She has the ability to consistently reach base and has the speed to cause disruption on the base paths."

Lisa Johnson

Johnson was named All-Texomaland Utility Player of the Year while playing for Sherman High School. She hit .469 last year and picked up team MVP honors for the third straight year. The Sherman, Texas native has also won the team’s Heavy Hitter Award in 2005 and 2006, the Co-Pitcher of ther Year honor in 2006 and the Pitcher of the Year award in 2007. Johnson is a member of the National Honor Society, is a Texas Scholar and is ranked eighth in her class. Johnson plays travel ball for Texas Glory Gold.

"Lisa is one of the most complete players we’ve seen in a while," said Hubbard. "She has all the tools, both mentally and physically to compete at an elite level. Lisa can contribute defensively at multiple positions and will provide consistent offensive production in the middle part of the lineup. "

Amber Miller

Miller is a two-time district defensive player of the year at Arlington Lamar High School. She was named District 7-5A Newcomer of the Year and Fort Worth Super Team Newcomer of the Year in 2005. She was named to the Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Miller plays travel ball for Texas Elite Gold.

"Amber is one of the strongest, most aggressive young players in our 2008 class," said Hubbard. "We will look for her to contribute immediately as a middle infielder. Amber has the ability to drive in a lot of runs with her bat and will strengthen an already very powerful middle part of the lineup."

Megan Rupp

Megan Rupp has been a varsity player at Southridge High School in Beaverton, OR since her freshman year and received second-team all-state honors last season. After leading her team in batting average in 2006, she was named all-state honorable mention. The outfielder was also a two-time first-team all-league performer. Rupp was a four-year letterwinner in soccer, where she was named second-team all-league this past season. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and was a nine-time honor roll recipient. Rupp plays travel ball for the Oregon Panthers Gold team.

"Megan will add even more speed to our lineup, while increasing our outfield’s range," said Hubbard. "With her triple-threat ability from the left side of the plate, her presence in the top part of our lineup will provide many RBI opportunities for our 3-4-5 hole hitters."

Lyndi Samuelson

Samuelson was named District 8-4A Offensive MVP as a junior last year at Aledo High School after hitting .425. In 2007, she was a part of a district championship and a No. 8 team ranking in the state for 4A. The outfielder also received Fort Worth Star Telegram Super Softball Team First Team honors. As a freshman and sophomore, she was named first-team all-district infield and led the district in stolen bases in 2005. She currently plays travel ball for Texas Glory Gold. Academically, Samuelson is a three-time academic all-district honoree and has been named a U.S. Achievement Academy All-American Scholar and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

"Lyndi is another versatile defender, with great speed and athleticism," said Hubbard." As a left-handed slapper, she will provide balance as a table-setter to our lineup, while her speed on the bases will drive opponents crazy. Lyndi’s aggressive style of play combined with her speed will create some exciting plays in the outfield."

Source: UNT