Nov. 16, 2007

Photos of signees

ATHENS, Ohio - Five high school student-athletes signed national letters of intent to play for Head Coach Jill Matyuch and the Ohio softball team next season.

Matyuch announced the signing of first baseman Megan Allen, outfielder Erika Girard, shortstops Lauren Histed and Brooke Morgart, and second baseman Alexis Zambrana-Joseph to Ohio's 2008 freshman class.

"We are thrilled with our class of 2008," said Matyuch. "We will have five terrific young women who will be joining our team. Not only are they exceptional softball players, they are good people who will well represent Ohio."

Allen is from Akron, Ohio and plays at Archbishop Hoban High School. She was named second-team All-Coast League her freshman year and was bumped up to the first team her sophomore year. Matyuch said that Megan is a strong hitter with the ability to change a game with one swing.

Girard, a native of Chino Hills, Calif., is a three-time all-league selection and was named her team's offensive player of the year for the past three seasons.

"Erika comes from one of the strongest summer teams in the country," said Matyuch. "She knows what it takes to compete at the highest level."

Histed, a native of Shelby Township, Mich, was named first-team all-state her sophomore and junior years at Utica High School. She was honored as the Outstanding Defensive Player at the 2006 USSSA World Series.

"Lauren's range and arm rank up there with the best of them," said Matyuch. "She will certainly deny teams of hits."

Morgart plays at Elmwood High School in Wayne, Ohio where she was twice named first-team All-Ohio in softball and was awarded league and district player of the year honors in basketball.

"Brooke's speed is impressive," said Matyuch. "Her defensive prowess and ability to get on base will help us considerably."

Another out-of-state prospect, Zambrana-Joseph of Alvin, Texas, will join the Bobcats after being named second-team all-district last season and the newcomer of the year as a sophomore.

"Alexis has an exceptional glove and her ability to provide a triple threat in the box and wreak havoc on the base paths is impressive," said Matyuch.

The Bobcats return 10 letterwinners, including six starters from a year ago. The `Cats also welcome seven newcomers to the 2008 squad that will kick off the season mid-February in the East Carolina Pirate Invitational.