Cape Central product Sirena Watkins will be among 11 new faces to the Redhawks softball program this upcoming season (Photo Courtesy of Fred Lynch-Southeast Missourian)

July 23, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – (Friday, July 18, 2008) - Redhawks softball head Coach Lana Richmond has announced the signing of seven highly regarded softball standouts to national letters of intent to play for the Southeast Missouri State softball team in 2009. Stefanie Barnes, Nicole Troncoso, Kristie Lutz, Chris Scudder, Tiffany Blanco, Sirena Watkins and Hollie Clark will give the Redhawks 11 new faces for the upcoming softball season.

Barnes is a pitcher from Union City, California and played for James Logan High School where she helped her team to a 25-4 record and a league championship her senior season. During her senior season she went 25-3 with a 0.50 earned run average, striking out 277 batters in 182 innings pitched. She pitched one perfect game, three no hitters and 15 shutouts over the course of the season as she was named First Team All-State.

Offensively she batted .430 with three homeruns and 32 RBIs for the Colts and garnered Alameda News Group Player of the year and Pitcher of the Year honors in 2008 as well as the San Francisco Chronicle First Team All-Softball nomination.

Her junior season she went 17-6 with a 0.67 ERA and struckout 249 batters in 157 innings.

A strong student as well as athlete she will be attending Southeast Missouri as a recipient of the University Academic Scholarship.

“Stefanie is the third addition to our pitching staff for next season,” commented Coach Richmond. “She will bring us a solid presence on the mound. Stefanie has mastered a strong snap and spin on all of her pitches and being a strong 6’0 athletic build, she will only get more powerful from our strength program. In addition to her contributions on the mound, she can provide a strong bat to the line-up. Stefanie will come in game ready for NCAA D1 because of her extensive ASA Gold summer ball experience.”

Troncoso, a native of Palmdale, California, is a transfer from Boston College who started in 15 of the 21 games she appeared in as a freshman for the Eagles in 2008. An athletic shortstop who can also play third, she batted .250 for the Eagles who finished 32-31 last season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. She committed only three errors in 63 chances last season.

A three-time ASA All-American as a prep she was a member of the USA Junior National Softball Team member. Her summer league honors also include Outstanding Hitter at the Pam Am Qualifier plaied in Guatemala and First Team ASA at the International Softball Congress Tournament.

As a prep at William J. Pete Knight High School she was named First Team All-League in 2006 and Second Team All-League in 2005.

“We have had the opportunity to watch Nicole play at SS and 3rd while competing for her ASA American Pastime team,” said Coach Richmond. “I was impressed with her strong arm and the ability to play a deep defensive shortstop. She is also versatile enough to play the hot corner at 3rd base. With Megan McDonald and Michelle Summers both graduating from our infield, Troncoso’s solid defensive play will be a great addition to our infield. Nicole just needs a fresh start and a boost to her confidence level up and I expect her to come in right away and contribute.”

Lutz is a utility player from Geneseo High School in Geneseo, Illinois. In 2008 she was named Second Team All-State as she led her team to a 30-8 record and a Illinois Regional Championship. She led her team in homeruns, RBIs, doubles, extra base hits and defensive assists. Her 96 assists her senior season set a new school record.

Kristie Lutz was named 2nd Team All-State in Illinois last season

She was also a three-time First Team All-Conference selection as a Lady Leaf and was named to the Quad Cities All-Metro Team her senior season.

Academically she was an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society.

“Kristie plays middle infield, but can play any position in the infield,” said Coach Richmond. “She has secured a roster spot on next year’s team and will provide depth to our infield. What impresses me about Kristie is that she has such a passion for the game and wants to play for SEMO. I am excited to have her enthusiasm and her desire to be part of our program.”

Scudder was a four-year letter winner for Brashear High School in Kirksville, Missouri. As a pitcher for the Tigers she was named All-region in 2007 and is a three-time All-District selection and four-time All-Conference selection. She was named MVP of her softball team in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

A three-sport star as a prep, Scudder played basketball and was a member of the Tigers track and field team where she placed ninth in the state in the discus this past spring.

Scudder is a Missouri Top 100 Scholar and a National Merit Commended student.

“Chris has accepted the full ride Governors Academic Scholarship at Southeast,” said Coach Richmond. “She has pitched in high school and for her summer ASA team. She will be another welcomed arm to the pitching staff and has very good control of her pitches.”

Blanco was a four-year letter winner at west coast powerhouse Paloma Valley High School in Canyon Lake, California. She was named All-League all your years as a prep and was named the League MVP in 2008. She was also name All-CIF after her team finished the CIF Championship runner-ups this past spring.

Tiffany Blanco was named League MVP this past spring

Her summer club team, the SoCal Pride, finished ninth in the nation.

“Tiffany brings speed and great bat control with her as a left-handed slapper,” said Coach Richmond. “I look for her to create a lot of pressure on opposing defenses and contend for the lead-off position in our batting order. Tiffany plays 2nd base and the outfield and does so aggressively and with an air of confidence. I expect Tiffany to have no problem making an impact in NCAA DI play due to the wonderful exposure she has gotten playing top-quality ASA summer ball.”

Clark is a catcher from Thomas Downey High School in Modesto, California. She also has the ability to play numerous infield positions because of her versatility and athleticism. In 2008 she was named league MVP as well as to the All-League First team, her third time garnering All-League honors.

Clark was also a member of the volleyball team where she was named Co-MVP two years in a row and First Team All-League in 2007.

“Hollie is a true all-around utility player,” said Coach Richmond. “She can catch, play 3rd and a middle infield position. She will give us a lot of options on the defensive side, but it is her bat that will make the noise. Hollie is a solid contact hitter who can also hit for power. I expect her to come in and find a place to play in the line-up defensively due to her ability to hit.”

The final signee is local product Watkins. Watkins, a native of Cape Girardeau, played at Cape Central High School where she was named to the 2007 All-Semoball Team. She was also a All-District and All-Conference selection in 2007 as she was named Female Athlete of the Year for the Tigers.

Watkins competed as a high jumper for the Tigers track and field team.

She was a recipient of the Darla Pannier Award and a member of the National Honor Society. She was also awarded the Orchestra Award at Cape Central.

"Sirena has been given a roster spot on the team for next season,” said Coach Richmond. “She has played a variety of positions throughout her high school and summer ball career which is always a plus. Sirena has been to many of our clinics and she just wants to play for SEMO and I am going to give her the opportunity to be a Redhawk."

The seven newcomers join early signees Giana Zimmerman, Ashlee Hebel, Renee Kurtz and Shelby Stein as new signees for next season.

"This group will increase our squad numbers and they are quality athletes who will make it highly competitive for playing time next season,” commented Coach Richmond. “All of our recruited athletes have gained valuable playing experience against NCAA D1 type competition through their ASA summer programs. My assistant Jeannine Soncini and I have been out there all summer working some of the nations best tournaments evaluating and signing these still available players. With the majority being freshman hopefully they will impact our program the next 4 years."