Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Softball Inks Five
December 09, 2011 | Cowgirl Softball
Dec. 9, 2011
Erika Campbell is an outfielder from Pacifica High School in southern California. She is a two-time All-Empire League selection and was the offensive Most Valuable Player in 2010. She led her team to the Empire League Championship in both 2010 and 2011, her sophomore and junior seasons. Campbell was also recruited by Texas, Arizona and Michigan State.
“Erika is playing with one of the best club teams in the nation, the Bat Busters out in California,” Wieligman said. “She's an outfielder who is a great clutch hitter. She comes through in the clutch a lot and plays really hard. When you come from that type of program, she'll bring a winning attitude and the experience of how to win. We're looking forward to getting her in here and have her hitting in the middle of our lineup.”
Shianne Hughes is a second baseman/outfielder out of Midwest City High School in Oklahoma. A first-team All-State selection as a senior this past fall, she batted .553 this season for the Bombers with 40 runs scored and 30 stolen bases. She was also recruited by Oklahoma, Tulsa and Georgia Tech.
“Shianne comes from the Oklahoma Exclusive summer team and is going to bring a lot of speed for us,” said Wieligman. “She's a second baseman and outfielder, and a left-handed slapper at the plate. When you've got to get people on and drive them in, she's the type of player that will help set the table for our big hitters to drive in. She can get on, steal bases, and just put a lot of pressure on the defense. She's an exciting player to watch and will make things happen.”
Dre McKee is an outfielder coming to OSU from Jenks High School in Oklahoma. She was a District 6A-3 first-team selection as a senior this fall and was named second-team All-Metro by the Tulsa World in 2010. The Trojans finished runner-up in the Class 6A state tournament in 2010 and were the Class 6A state champions in slow-pitch softball in the spring of 2011.
“Dre is an outfielder who plays with a strong summer team, the Diamond Girls out of Tulsa,” Wieligman said. “She does a great job swinging the bat from the right side, and she'll play left or right field for us. She's a good kid and outfielder who will bring power to the plate and drive in some runs.”
Tiffany Mikkelson is a third baseman out of Aliso Niguel High School in southern California. She was named first-team All-Sea View League, first-team all-CIF and second-team all-county as a junior last spring.
“Tiffany plays for the California Cruisers, another strong organization on the west coast,” said Wieligman. “She plays a great third base and plays with a lot of energy. She reminds me a lot of Mariah (Gearhart). She's going to drive the ball. She's above average in power. We can put her in the middle of the lineup and she's going to be able to drive in some runs. She'll play a solid third base for us. I love her attitude and how hard she plays.”
Chelsea Ross is a right-handed pitcher out of Liberty High School, a suburb of Kansas City. She was a first-team All-State selection as a senior after earning second-team honors as a sophomore. She was a four-time all-conference, all-district and all-metro selection, and was a three-time all-region choice. She was 66-16 with a 1.17 earned run average in her four-year career, including an 18-2 mark with a 0.73 ERA as a senior. She was also recruited by Iowa.
“Chelsea Ross is an all-state pitcher who can also hit,” Wieligman said. “She could possibly play some first base for us, but the big thing is what she brings to us in the circle. She throws hard and has a good change-up. We expect her to put in a lot of innings when she gets here. She's somebody that can come in and shut teams down. She's just going to keep getting better and better.”
Oklahoma State loses five seniors following the 2012 season, including All-Big 12 selections Chelsea Garcia at shortstop and Julie Ward at first base. The Cowgirls also lose outfielders Kelsey Anchors and Sammy Jo Diffendaffer, along with catcher Kelsea Schultz.
“This is probably one of the best classes that we've signed since we've been around, when you talk about the speed, the hitting for power and for pitching,” said Wieligman. “It's a great overall class, and it's not just numbers, but it's the quality of the players. It will add a lot of depth to our team and they'll be pushing some people for playing time and put a little pressure on some of our upperclassmen. But, that's what we need to do to get better.”
2012 Cowgirl Softball Recruiting Class
Erica Campbell OF 5-7 L/L Cypress, Calif. (Pacifica HS)
Shianne Hughes 2B/OF 5-4 L/R Midwest City, Okla. (Midwest City HS)
Dre McKee OF 5-7 R/R Tulsa, Okla. (Jenks HS)
Chelsea Ross RHP 5-10 R/R Kansas City, Mo. (Liberty HS)
Tiffany Mikkelson 3B 5-7 R/R Aliso Viego, Calif. (Aliso Niguel HS)
