Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Softball Inks Four
November 18, 2010 | Cowgirl Softball
Nov. 18, 2010
Stillwater, Okla. — Four high school seniors have signed National Letters of Intent with the Oklahoma State Cowgirl Softball team, head coach Rich Wieligman announced today. All four players will fill needs in the infield and outfield positions in the future.
“We are always trying to add speed and power to our team, and this class has done that without question,” said Wieligman. “It was also important for us to build up our infield early. We lose two (infielders) after this season and two more after the next year, so we were really looking to fill those holes now and build some depth in the infield rather than waiting and having to fill those positions in a hurry.”
Taylor Woodall, a catcher from Meeker, Okla., is the lone in-state product to sign for 2011. She led the Meeker Bulldogs to a 31-9 record and a Class 3A state tournament appearance. Woodall batted .389 as a senior with nine home runs and 43 runs batted in. She also had a .444 on-base percentage and a .805 slugging percentage.
Woodall was a three-time All-State selection and was a finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award this fall. She has been selected to compete for the Middle East squad at the All-State games next summer. Woodall was also recruited by Oklahoma, Arkansas and Auburn.
“Taylor has all the tools to make a good all-around catcher,” said Wieligman. “She has a good knowledge of the game, and a strong arm. I really like the way she swings the bat and she has a lot of potential to be a power hitter in the middle of the lineup.”
Shelby Davis, an outfielder from Goddard, Kan., was chosen to attend the 2010 USA Softball Junior Women's National team camp this past June. She is a two-time All-State selection and was a member of the Wichita Eagle's All-Metro team last spring. Davis led her team to a league title and a third-place finish at the state tournament in Class 6A her sophomore season in 2008. Davis chose Oklahoma State over Arizona and Arkansas.
“Shelby has tremendous speed but is also able to drive the ball,” Wieligman said. “She'll be an impact player for us, both offensively and defensively.”
Hannah Bowen, a second baseman from St. Joseph, Ill., is a three-time All-State selection and was the All-Area Player of the Year as a junior. She knocked in 97 runs as a junior last spring, the second-most ever by a high school player nationally. The record is 105 set by Kelly Kennedy in 1993. Bowen also batted .563 and led her team to a 34-4 record as a junior. She had 20 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs and 63 runs. The speedster was also 24-of-24 on stolen-base attempts. She struck out just three times in 128 at-bats.
“Hannah is a good athlete who will be able to play different positions in the infield for us,” said Wieligman. “She swings the bat very well from the left side of the plate and will be able to both score and drive in some runs.”
Gessenia DeLaCruz is a shortstop from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas. A three-time first-team All-District 20-5A selection, she batted .493 as a junior last season. She scored 30 runs and knocked in 28 RBIs with five doubles, five triples and six home runs in leading the Redskins to a 24-9 record and a playoff appearance.
“Gessenia possesses the arm we need at shortstop and has good range,” said Wieligman. “She's got good power from the right side of the plate, and can drive in some runs.”
Oklahoma State will lose four seniors next season, including starters Alysia Hamilton at second base and Mariah Gearhart at third. The Cowgirls will also lose pitcher Sarah Odom and catcher Ashley Boyd.
2011 Cowgirl Softball signees
Hannah Bowen 2B 5-6 L/R St. Joseph, Ill. (St. Joseph-Ogden HS)
Shelby Davis OF 5-7 L/R Goddard, Kan. (Goddard HS)
Gessenia DeLaCruz SS 5-5 R/R Houston, Texas (Lamar HS)
Taylor Woodall C 5-5 R/R Meeker, Okla. (Meeker HS)
