Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Softball Receives Four Commitments
November 17, 2008 | Cowgirl Softball
“This class is very diverse,” said Wieligman. “We were able to fill some spots that will be open in the next few years with athletic and versatile players.”
Katie Asher, a third baseman at Canyon del Oro High School in Tucson, Ariz., was named a second-team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association last season as a junior. She was also named first-team All-State and led the state of Arizona with her 14 home runs. Canyon del Oro won the Class 4A state title in 2007 and was ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today. The Dorados followed that up with another state championship in 2008 and a No. 5 national ranking.
“Katie has played at a high level of gold ball and has won several championships,” Wieligman said. “She's a great power hitter who is very good defensively at third base.”
Kat Espinosa is a right-handed pitcher at Bellaire High School in Houston, Texas. She is a three-time first-team all-district selection and was the District 20-5A Most Valuable Player in 2008 as well as an all-Greater Houston first-team choice. Last season, she compiled a 20-8 record with a 0.80 earned run average and 291 strikeouts. She chose Oklahoma State over North Carolina, Purdue, Texas State and Houston Baptist.
“Kat has played at a high level and pitched her high school team into the state playoffs,” said Wieligman. “She has a lot of upside with her size and power. She's much more of a overpowering pitcher than a finesse pitcher.”
Amy Graham is a shortstop/outfielder at Hominy High School in Hominy, Okla. She was recently named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association Small East All-State squad and was a Class 2A All-State selection this season. The team's most valuable player for three seasons, Amy led the state of Oklahoma in batting average (.667) and stolen bases (76-of-80) as a sophomore. She chose Oklahoma State over Oklahoma, Missouri, Southern Nazarene and St. Gregory's.
Taylor Smith is a utility player out of Newcastle High School in Newcastle, Okla. She was named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association Middle West All-State squad and was a Class 4A All-State selection her senior season. Newcastle was state runnerup both her freshman and sophomore seasons and quarterfinalists her junior year. Taylor was the Sooner Conference MVP her senior season. She was also recruited by Oklahoma, Missouri State, Oklahoma City, Southeastern State and USAO.
“Taylor and Amy are very similar players,” Wieligman said. “Both are capable of playing multiple positions defensively and are very good hitters. They will be huge assets to this team.”
2009 Oklahoma State Cowgirl Softball Signees
Name Pos Ht B/T Hometown (High School) Note Katie Asher 3B 5-9 R/R Tucson, Ariz. (Canyon del Oro) NFCA HS 2nd-team All-American Kat Espinosa RHP 5-9 R/R Houston, Texas (Bellaire) 3-time 1st-team All-District Amy Graham SS/OF 5-7 R/R Hominy, Okla. (Hominy) Class 2A All-State Taylor Smith UTL 5-8 R/R Newcastle, Okla. (Newcastle) Class 4A All-State
