North Carolina State University Athletics
Softball Announces Inaugural Recruiting Class
1/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 9, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State head softball coach Lisa Navas announced the signing of the first recruiting class of the newly instated softball program. Nine student-athletes from six different states will take the field for the inaugural 2003-04 season. The Wolfpack will showcase the talents of two in-state players and seven from Florida, Indiana, California, New Mexico and Arizona.
"I am excited about our first recruiting class," said head coach Lisa Navas. "We have recruited players from all over the country to give us a base for the future." Our first verbal commitment came from the Ervin twins out of Charlotte Hopewell High School. Their commitment was special because they won the state title last year as part of a brand new program. They are going to turn some heads in this program as well. We will complete the team with some additional local talent and some recruited walk-ons."
The Pack takes to the field for the first time in February of 2004. The women will play a full-fledge schedule the first season. Plans at this time are being finalized for the new stadium near Derr Track.
"We will be on the road recruiting and watching high school games this spring," said Navas. "I can't wait to start practicing with these players in September."
Miranda Ervin (Huntersville, N.C./Charlotte Hopewell HS) o Catcher o Bats/Throws: R/R
- 2002 4A State Champions
- Three all-conference nods
- Two, second team all-Mecklenburg County honors
- National Honor Society
- Four-time honor roll member
"She does a good job receiving the ball and has a terrific arm. We will look for her to help us at the plate as she will be a big part of the power in the lineup."
Shaina Ervin (Huntersville, N.C./Charlotte Hopewell HS) o Pitcher o Bats/Throws: R/R
- 2002 4A State Champions
- Three-time all-conference honoree
- Three-time all-Mecklenburg county - two first team selections
- Louisville Slugger all-American
- All-Observer Player of the Year
- First team all-state
- Most Valuable Player for the state championship
- Team MVP
- National Honor Society
- Four-time honor roll member
"Shaina has unlimited potential. We will look for her to fine tune her pitching techniques and become stronger in the circle. She has such great size, that we look for her to help us in a number of areas."
Jennifer Chamberlain (San Mateo, Calif./Burlingame HS) o Third Base/Pitcher o Bats/Throws: R/R
- Junior year, led team to 14-0 record, while posting a .300 ERA and a .497 BA
- Three-time first team all-league
- Conference Player and Pitcher of the Year
- Burlingame Tournament MVP, sophomore year
- Team MVP, sophomore year
"Jen has awesome power at the plate. She will really drive in a lot of runs for us. We will also look for her to help us defensively on the corners and she may see some time in the circle."
Heather Gelbard (Miami, Fla./Palmetto HS) o Third Base o Bats/Throws: R/R
- Two-time All-State
- Three-time All-County
- Palmetto HS Rookie of the Year
- As a freshman, team was ranked 20th in the nation by USA Today, won state title
- Three-time District Champions
- Two-time Regional Runner-up
- .391 BA, .968 Fielding Pct.
- A member of three academic honor societies: Phi Beta Chi (Science), English and National Honor Society
"Heather is a solid corner player, has pop in her bat and runs well. She will do a nice job driving in runs for us and providing power in our lineup."
Lee Hasper (Glendale, Ariz./Glendale CC) o Pitcher/OF o Bats/Throws: R/R
- Helped lead team to the Maricopa Community Colleges' Championship game in 2002
- Finished year 2001 with an ERA of 1.21 in 62 games and a .325 BA in 280 at bats
- West Valley Region first team (first base) -HS
- Two-time West Valley Region second-team (pitching and outfield) -HS
"Lee will be the veteran on the team and we will really look for her leadership. She will pitch, play outfield and hit for us. We think she will have a lot of success at this level."
Laura Klem (Huntingburg, Ind./Forest Park HS) o Second Base o Bats/Throws: R/R
- 2002 All-District
- Two-time all-conference
- 2001 State Champions
- 2001 Regional Champions
- 2000, 2002 Regional Finalists
- Three-time Sectional Champions
- Three-time Conference Champions
- Two-time Hoosier Diamond All-Star team member
- Hit .406 as a junior
- Career total of 130 assists, 86 put outs and .969 Fielding percentage
- Honor roll for six consecutive semesters
- Member of the National Honor Society, President of National Beta Club and Student Council Treasurer
"Laura will do a great job at second base or shortstop. She is very athletic and versatile and will be one of our better base runners."
Rene? LaCroix (Killarney, Fla./Lake Highland Prep) o Second Base/Short Stop o Bats/Throws: Both/R
- Two-time state champions
- State runner-up
- All-Central Florida Selection
- All-Orange Country Selection
- Team Offensive MVP as a junior
- .362 batting average her junior year
- 67 career runs scored and 65 RBI
- National Honor Society
- Who's Who Among American High School Students
- National Math Honor Roll
- Elite Students of America
" Rene? has spunk on the field and we will look for her to be our shortstop or play second base. She will be a force for us defensively as she anchors the infield."
Jennifer Patterson (Salinas, Calif./North Salinas HS) o Catcher/First Base o Bats/Throws: R/R
- CCS Division I Champions in 2002
- Two-time, first team all-CCS
- Two-time, first team all-league
- Two-time all-county by Monterey Herald and Californian
- Team MVP her junior year
- Batted second in the league as a sophomore, .426
- As a sophomore went 13 games behind the plate without a passed ball
"We will look for Jennifer to be a steady force in the lineup. She has great size and power and will help us behind the plate and at first base."
Abbie Sims (Artesia, N.M./Artesia HS) o Pitcher o Bats/Throws: R/R
- Helped lead her team to a New Mexico 4A State Championship as a sophomore
- New Mexico State 4A Championship, third place finish in 2002
- Two-time Regional Champions
- Two-time District Champions
- Three-time all-district
- Three-time team MVP
- Albuquerque Journal All-Star team
- National Honors Society
- Posted stats of .65 ERA, 192 SO in 116 innings as a junior
"Abbie is going to be a real anchor in the pitching staff. She throws hard and is a good athlete. We see a tremendous amount of potential in her."
