North Carolina State University Athletics
Softball Signs Four to National Letters of Intent
12/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Dec. 2, 2011
Four student athletes will be joining the NC State softball program in the fall of 2012, head coach Lisa Navas announced today. Chelsea Stanfield, Lauren Masters, Hanna Sommer and Lana Van Dyken have each signed a National Letter of Intent, committing to compete for the Wolfpack.
Stanfield, who hails from Franklin, N.C., boasts impressive stats as both a pitcher and a hitter at Franklin High School. As a junior in 2011, she hit .544 with six doubles and notched 23 RBI and while boasting a notable .794 slugging percentage.
That same season as a pitcher, she compiled a 0.33 ERA, surrendering only five earned runs in 107 innings pitched en route to leading Franklin High School to a conference title. A three-time all-conference honoree, Stanfield was also named conference and Western North Carolina pitcher of the year in 2011. She competes for the Illinois Force on the travel ball circuit.
"Chelsea will be our first southpaw in the program," says Navas. "She caught our eye at one of our clinics. She will certainly add depth to our pitching staff for next year, and her experience in ASA summer ball will help our young pitching staff."
Van Dyken, a native of Puyallup, Wash., has helped lead Rogers High School to three consecutive state playoff appearances. She has consistently put up solid numbers at the plate throughout her career, including an impressive .586 mark in 2011. That season, she also notched six doubles, seven triples and 27 RBI, all while only fanning 10 times. She garnered first team all-league honors and was named team infield MVP and captain as a junior. Van Dyken has also earned academic awards, including the Presidential Academic award in 2009.
"Lana plays for the Washington Lady Hawk program in travel ball," says Navas. "We found her late, but feel that she is the find of a lifetime. She is extremely versatile and can play second base, third base, and even the outfield. We are excited to have her speed on our team."
NC State softball opens the 2012 season at the Red and Black Showcase in Athens, Ga., on Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. versus Utah State. Stay tuned to GoPack.com for more information as the season approaches.
