The Optimist

After a season that was unpredicted by most, the softball team picked up two new players for next year and a few Lone Star Conference honors.

The team didn't make the postseason this year, but head coach Chantiel Wilson added two players to the team's roster for the 2008 season and said she has great hopes for both of them.

Wilson signed one of the top hitters in California, Katie Cornielson and Midland High School pitcher Kim White.

Cornielson is transferring to ACU from Antelope Valley College and White signed a letter of intent to come to ACU next season.

"Kim is a great competitor. She does not get rattled and fields her position extremely well," Wilson said. "They will bring new personality to the team, and both will make an immediate impact."

White kept an ERA of 0.90 late into the season and held a record of 20-5. In 131.5 innings, she struck out 131 hitters and gave up 38 runs (of those, only 15 were earned). Pitching isn't her only talent - at the plate she has an average of .343 with 10 RBI.

"Katie is a strong and powerful left-handed hitter who can drive the ball in the the gaps," Wilson said. "She has been a key part of the success at her junior college the past two years, and we like the experience she brings to this team."

Cornielson set a school record in home runs and doubles, which earned her first-team junior college all-America honors.

Her 2007 season was great with eight home runs, 41 RBI and a batted .389.

Junior centerfielder Leisha Johnson got first team all-LSC South honors - she is the only Wildcat to be named to the first team after keeping a batting average of .354, team-best of 13 homeruns and 29 RBI.

Catcher Samantha Borgeson and third baseman Nicole Deel were both named second team all-LSC South division. Borgeson kept an average of .303, 11 homeruns and a team high of 32 RBI. Deel played in 40 of the 45 season games and was named the second-team utility player.

Email Davis at optimist@acu.edu

Article Tools