November 29, 2007

Yellowjacket Softball Announces Recruiting Class

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State-Billings head softball coach Tony Stone has announced his 2008 recruiting class, signing five high school seniors to letters of intent.  In what will be Stone’s second season at the helm of the Yellowjacket program, the new recruits will join 13 returning players on a team that will have completed its first season in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  The five recruits come from four different states.  Two are from Washington with one each from Nevada, California, and Montana.

Montana State-Billings 2008 Recruiting Class

Shasta Cornelison, Eldorado, Calif., (Union Mine HS)
Cornelison is a 5-foot-7 first baseman who will have lettered all four years in softball at Union Mine High School.  Cornelison was named all-league three years straight and was named to the all-metro team as a sophomore.  As a junior, Cornelison was named the Most Valuable Player on her high school team after her team was crowned the Sierra Valley Division II Conference Champions.  Cornelison is the daughter of Raymond and Tamara.

“Shasta is a pure and natural hitter,” said Stone.  “She has the ability to use the entire field instead of only pulling the ball.  Defensively, Shasta is another multi-positional player who can log some innings at catcher and first base which makes her even more valuable to our squad.”

Amanda Goings, Puyallup, Wash., (Puyallup HS)
Goings is a 5-foot-4 outfielder who will have lettered all four season in softball at Puyallup High School.  Goings has been named the captain of her team for her senior season.  She is the Key Club treasurer, is a member of the student council, and has passed all four sections of the WASL.  Goings is the daughter of Curt and Nancy.

“Amanda is a smart individual and is a speedy outfielder who can make excellent reads on the ball,” said Stone.  “She has very quick hands and can swing away or slap the ball making it tough for the defense to read.  We are looking forward to Amanda contributing to our lineup next season.”

Jenna VanEykeren, Las Vegas, Nev., (Centennial HS)
VanEykeren is a 5-foot-6 infielder who will have lettered all four years in softball at Centennial High School.  Her high school team clinched the Northwest Division Championship as a junior.  VanEykeren has been on the Honor Roll all four years and won the Scholar Athlete Award as a junior.  As a sophomore she was named to the Nevada all-state academic team.  VanEykeren is the daughter of Mike and Debby.

“The softball staff here at MSUB think Jenna is a tremendous athlete, not only as a catcher, but as a middle-infielder as well,” said Stone.  “She has all the tools, both defensively and offensively, to make an immediate impact for us next season.  Jenna’s work ethic and positive attitude will be a welcome addition to our roster.”

Kelsey Brown, Spanaway, Wash., (Graham-Kapowsin HS)
Brown is a 5-foot-7 outfielder who lettered once in volleyball, twice in cross-country, and will letter four years in softball.  Brown has received numerous softball awards which include being named to the all-league honorable mention team as a junior.  Brown’s high school team finished seventh at the state tournament her junior season.  She is the daughter of Todd and Hope.

“Kelsey is a very intelligent player who can read the ball especially well,” said Stone.  “She can swing away or slap, which makes it very difficult for the opposing team to defend.  We are looking forward to Kelsey joining our team next season.”

Kasie Conder, Hamilton, Mont., (Corvallis HS)
Conder is a 5-foot-8 pitcher who lettered three years in volleyball and will letter four years in softball following her senior season.  Conder was named to the all-state team as a sophomore and junior and has been an all-state first team selection as a freshman, sophomore, and junior.  Conder was named to the super-state team as her high school team took fourth at the state tournament her junior season.  Conder is a member of the National Honor Society and was named academic all-state as a freshman.  She is the daughter of Jerry and Amy.

“Kasie has established herself as one of the top pitchers in the state of Montana,” said Stone.  “We are very happy she has chosen to stay in state for her collegiate career.  She is a powerful thrower and can challenge hitters all over the strike zone.  We look for Kasie to add depth to an already deep pitching rotation, and believe she will be a constant in the circle for several years to come.”