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MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois head softball coach Holly Van Vlymen announced Wednesday afternoon the signing of six players to the 2010 recruiting class.
The class consists of Hailey Bickford, Emma Jarrell, Megan Kelly, Monica Rondon, Ryleigh Sears and Briana Williams.
“I am very excited about our 2010 recruiting class,” said Van Vylmen. “These six young women are passionate about the game of softball and will continue to uphold our tradition in the classroom, on the field and in the community.”
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Hailey Bickford
Position — Pitcher
Hometown — Maquoketa, Iowa
High School — Maquoketa
Summer Team —Milan Aces
Hailey Bickford joins the Leathernecks out of Maquoketa High School in Maquoketa, Iowa. She finished the 2009 season with a .430 batting average after registering 52 hits and 33 RBIs as well as scoring 27 runs and collecting 16 doubles. Bickford also was a force from the circle, posting a 16-8 overall record with a 1.20 ERA while throwing 203 strikeouts.
After her junior season in 2008, Bickford was already the school’s career record holder in six statistical categories as well as shattering the school record for most strikeouts in a game as she threw 29 strikeouts in a 17 inning contest in 2008. The pitcher was an all-district first-team selection in 2008 and 2009 as well as an all-state second-team honoree in 2008 and 2009.
In addition to her on-field accolades, Bickford is an active member of the French Club and helps coach at the local YMCA. During the summer, Bickford plays for the Milan Aces.
“Hailey is a very versatile player who can pitch, play solid defense and hit,” said Van Vlymen. “She is a tenacious competitor with great mental toughness.”
Click Here to read an article by Troy Johnson of THonline.com about the signing of Bickford.
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Emma Jarrell
Position — Infield
Hometown — Orland Park, Ill.
High School — Carl Sandburg
Summer Team — Orland Park Sparks
Emma Jarrell joins the Western Illinois softball team out of Orland Park, Ill. During her junior season at Carl Sandburg High School, she recorded a .302 batting average and posted a .970 fielding percentage to lead her team to a top-eight finish in the Illinois 4A class system. The infielder also earned all-Southwest Suburban Conference honors at the conclusion of the season. Jarrell has played with the Orland Park Sparks for the last nine summers, helping the team to a 25th-place finish in the Amateur Softball Association Class A 18U Nationals in 2009.
The three-sport varsity athlete is also a member of the National Honor Society.
“Emma is a middle infielder that has great range, good hands and most importantly quickness,” said Van Vlymen. “She is a consistent hitter that will prove to be a threat at the plate.”
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Megan Kelly
Position — Infield
Hometown — Worth, Ill.
High School — Mount Assisi Academy
Summer Team — Beverly Bandits
Megan Kelly joins the Leathernecks out of Worth, Ill. She finished the 2009 season at Mount Assisi Academy with a .398 batting average and a .680 slugging percentage after recording 41 hits, 32 RBIs and 24 runs. From the circle, she posted an 18-13 record with a .720 ERA as well as tossing 67 strikeouts. Kelly has been named to the all-conference team and been named her team’s most valuable player for the last three seasons.
During the summer, Kelly plays with the Beverly Bandits primarily as a third baseman. She posted a .350 batting average last season with the team. Before the Bandits, she played for two other ASA teams (Orland Park Sparks & Team Aurelios) during the summer that played in the national ASA tournament.
“Meg will add a spark to our team, she has a great attitude and will keep the team upbeat,” said Van Vlymen. “She is a tremendous hitter who demonstrates great patience at the plate.”
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Monica Rondon
Position — Catcher/Infield
Hometown — Champaign, Ill.
High School — Central
Summer Team — ECI Dynamite
Monica Rondon hails from Champaign, Ill., and joins the Leathernecks out of Champaign-Central High School. In 2009, Rondon was named The News-Gazette’s Player of the Year after posting a .552 batting average and a .995 slugging percentage. In addition, she recorded 42 hits, 35 RBIs and eight home runs.
Rondon is a three time all-Big 12 conference honoree and a three time all-region selection. She has been the team captain for three consecutive seasons as well as being named the teams most valuable player on two occasions.
During the summer, Rondon plays for the ECI Dynamite where she recorded a .459 batting average and a .888 slugging percentage last year. She also scored 28 runs while registering 45 hits and 25 RBIs last summer.
“Monica caught our attention at the plate with her strong stick and behind the plate with her hustle,” said Van Vlymen. “She has tons of potential and is going to be fun to watch over the next four years.”
Click Here to see video of Monica Rondon signing with Western, courtesty of WCIA 3 in Champaign, Ill.
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Ryleigh Sears
Position — Outfield
Hometown — Beach Park, Ill.
High School — Zion-Benton
Summer Team — ASA Lake County Liberty
Ryleigh Sears joins the Leathernecks from Beach Park, Ill., where she plays softball at Zion-Benton High School. During the 2009 campaign, Sears helped lead her high school to a regional championship. She also was an all-conference selection from 2007-09 and was an all-county honoree in 2008 and 2009.
In addition to her on-field accomplishments, she is an active member of the Natonal Honor Society and the Spanish Club as well as serving as the director of the Key Club and the president of Healthy Youth. Sears currently boasts a 4.28 grade point average.
During the summer, Sears plays with the ASA Lake County Liberty. She has posted a .297 batting average and a .320 slugging percentage during the last two seasons. More notably, she finished the summer on a 39-game errorless streak in the outfield and didn’t commit an error in 2009.
“Ryleigh is a quiet competitor who will sneak up on our opponents,” said Van Vylmen. “She is a great outfielder and has lots of potential at the plate with her speed.”
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Brianna Williams
Position — Utility
Hometown — Oklahoma City, Okla.
High School — Midwest City
Summer Team — Oklahoma Exclusive
Briana Williams joins the Leathernecks out of Oklahoma City, Okla. In 2009 at Midwest City High School, Williams posted a .414 batting average with 29 hits and 27 runs. She also stole 26 bases and only got caught stealing one time throughout the season for a .963 stolen base percentage. She also spent time in the circle, posting a 10-2 record with 22 strikeouts.
Williams earned first-team all-conference and Region 8 honors in 2009 as well as being selected to the all-conference honorable-mention team in 2007 and 2008.
During the summer, Williams plays for the Oklahoma Exclusive. She scored 15 runs and recorded 21 hits with a .362 batting average last summer. She also stole nine bases during the 2009 summer.
“Out of this recruiting class, Briana is the most versatile,” said Van Vlymen. “She has the skills and quickness to play anywhere on the field for us. Her enthusiasm is contagious and will add an element of excitement to our squad.”
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