Oklahoma State University Athletics
Softball Signs Four Future Cowgirls
June 21, 1999 | Cowgirl Softball
November 19, 1998
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's softball coaching staff announced the signing of four high school stars to national letters of intent, it was announced today. Two Oklahomans and two international students make up the fall signing class.
Ryan Realmuto is an all-state catcher from Del City, Okla. She is regarded as the top recruit coming out of the state of Oklahoma this year. Ryan played with the Oklahoma Jammers 18-and-under team this past fall season, coached by her father, David Realmuto. She batted .517 during the summer. Ryan is also the niece of OSU wrestling coach John Smith. She was also recruited by Oklahoma, Tulsa and Southwest Missouri State.
Stephanie Hodges is a utility player from Coweta, Okla. She attends Victory Christian High School in Tulsa, and was a member of the Broken Arrow Stealers this past summer. Also a pitcher, Stephanie has a fastball in the 58-62 mph range. She chose Oklahoma State over Texas A&M and Southwest Missouri State.
Lauren Bay is a lefthanded pitcher from Trail, British Columbia, Canada. While her high school did not have a softball program, she did play for the White Rock Renegades 18-and-under team this past summer. Lauren was named the Canadian Most Valuable Player, as she had a .351 batting average and a 1.01 earned run average. Lauren's fastball has been clocked in the 60-62 mph range. She was also recruited by Arizona State, California, Utah State and Iowa.
Kirsty Jennings is a lefthanded power hitter who was selected to the Junior Olympic team of Australia. She is currently working on her selection to the Australian Olympic Team. Kirsty follows a line of highly accoladed athletes that have come from Australia to Oklahoma State, such as Melanie Roche and Leanne Tyler.
"We've got an extremely talented class for next season with this crew coming in," said OSU Associate Head Coach Margaret Rebenar. "It's not easy to do what we did, but we were able to get some high-caliber in-state players, along with the Canadian Most Valuable Player and a possible Olympic team member. These kids will be able to come in and help us a great deal."
The Cowgirls will lose seven seniors after the 1999 season.
"We're still looking at one or two players that we'll try to sign in April," said Rebenar. "But, with the ones we've signed, we're extremely happy."
