MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State head softball coach
Shawn Semler announced today the signing of four student athletes for the 2011 season. Jordan Iverson from Hitterdal, Minn., Jennifer Johnson from Papillion, Neb., Ashley Gigax from Omaha, Neb., and Samantha Arlt from Norfolk, Neb., have all signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at SMSU. Today is the first day of the early signing period for NCAA softball programs.
Iverson is currently a senior at Hawley High School where she has been a letterwinner with the softball program since seventh grade. The two-time all-conference outfielder and all-section performer was an honorable mention all-state honoree last season and has led her team in batting average the past two seasons. As a junior, Iverson batted .475 with six home runs. For her career, she has tallied 68 hits, seven home runs and 47 RBIs.
“Jordan impressed me the minute I met her,” said Semler. “She is extremely confident in her ability to play the game and has the ability to cover so much ground in the outfield. I am excited to see her compete for one of our starting spots.”
Johnson, who plays second base, will graduate from Papillion LaVista South High School this spring. A three-year letterwinner, Johnson finished her prep career batting .400 and recording 40 hits, 25 RBIs and 29 runs. A Nebraska All-State Class A first team selection this past season, Johnson also capped her senior season with all-division, All-Nebraska second team and All-Metro Conference first team honors. As a junior, Johnson was also named all-division and all-state honorable mention.
“Jenny gives us one of the best fielding second basemen in the Nebraska and a top-of-the-order-type bat in our lineup,” Semler said. “She is a player who brings her passion for the game to the ballpark everyday.”
Gigax is a four-year letterwinner and four-year starter at Mercy High School in Omaha, Neb. The infielder was named
Lincoln Star Journal All-State Class B honorable mention three times and
Omaha World Herald All-State Class B honorable mention twice. She also set the Nebraska Class B state record for career triples.
“Ashley’s experience playing for the Omaha Finesse and coach Joe Negrete has allowed her to become a player that shows promise of making an impact for us next fall,” Semler said. “She is a good size shortstop with an oustanding glove and a player that can produce runs hitting in the middle of our lineup.”
Arlt is a senior at Norfolk Senior High School where she was a three-year letterwinner with the softball program. A two-time all-conference honoree, the catcher was also named Nebraska All-State Class A honorable mention. Arlt also excels at track and field, where she was a state qualifier last season.
“Sam is a great fit for what we want our catcher to do for us; she has a strong and accurate arm that can stop anybody’s running game,” Semler said. “She is smart, coachable and understands how to call a game from behind the plate.”
SMSU finished the 2009 season with a 32-23 (21-5 NSIC) record and won the NSIC regular season title for the fourth straight season and fifth time in the last six years. The Mustangs also made their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, Minn., is a member of NCAA Division II and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.