Softball inks five to National Letters of Intent
Nov. 13, 2009 AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas Softball program signed five prep softball standouts to National Letters of Intent for the 2010-11 academic year, head coach Connie Clark announced Wednesday. Current high school seniors Rachel Fox (Sugar Land, Texas/Fort Bend Baptist Academy), Mandy Ogle (New Braunfels, Texas/Canyon HS), Karina Scott (Torrance, Calif./Torrance HS), Taylor Thom (Cedar Park, Texas/Vista Ridge HS) and Brejae Washington (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon HS) will join the Longhorns on campus next fall. "Our 2010 signing class is an impressive and versatile group," Clark said. "This class possesses serious confidence. They are already talking about championships and they will come in and make an immediate impact across the board." The signing of the quintet concludes the Longhorns' signings for the fall signing period. Fox, a pitcher, attends Fort Bend Baptist Academy and players her travel ball with Texas Impact Gold. In 2009, Fox was named the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year after leading Fort Bend to a 33-3 record and a TAPPS Class 4A State Championship. Fox finished her junior campaign with a 27-3 record, 352 strikeouts and a 0.12 ERA. At the plate, she batted .453 with three homers and 38 RBI. "Rachel is a righthander who has tremendous command of her pitches," Clark said. "She is `beyond her years' when it comes to the mental game and displaying a serious poker face when she is in the circle." Ogle plays catcher/second base/outfield for Canyon High School and plays club softball for the Texas Bombers Gold. In 2009, she led her Canyon squad to a 38-3 record and the Texas 4A State Championship. At the state tourney she garnered most valuable player honors. Ogle is a two-time All-District 27-4A selection and was an academic all-district honoree in 2008. "Mandy Ogle is a catcher who can also play second base as well as the outfield." Clark said. "The piece that sold me about Mandy is how "big" she plays. When you first see her, you may question her size, but she is very strong, quick and intense."
Scott, a middle infielder, plays for Torrance High School and plays club ball for the Mizuno Pride Gold. She is a two-time first-team All-CIF selection and has twice been named to the Daily Breeze All-Area team. Scott paced her Torrance squad to the 2008 Pioneer League title as a sophomore. "Karina Scott is a middle infielder who is very athletic and powerful," Clark said. "When you watch her play, you can see how much love she has for the game, it just oozes from her." Thom, a shortstop from nearby Vista Ridge High School, plays her travel ball for the Round Rock Blaze. In 2009, she led her Vista Ridge team to a 5A state runner-up finish and a District 16-5A title. Thom was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State team in 2008 and 2009, and garnered Austin American Statesman All-CenTex accolades in2009. "Taylor Thom is a shortstop that can cover a lot of ground," Clark said. "She runs well and can also play the outfield. She has a great arm, quick feet and is a stolen base threat on offense." Washington, a left-handed hitting outfielder plays for Cajon High School and plays travel ball for the California Lite Gold. She is a three-time first-team All-San Andreas selection and led her team to the league title in 2008. As a junior, she hit .424 with 20 RBI after hitting .490 and stealing 40 bases as a sophomore. "Brejae Washington is an outfielder who runs at a whole different level," Clark said. "She has tremendous speed and is a natural lefthander. She is the fastest Longhorn we have ever had and she will put serious pressure on the defense." In 2009, Texas (40-20) reached the NCAA Regional for the fifth straight season. UT opens the 2010 season on Thursday, Feb. 11 when it hosts Texas Woman's at McCombs Field. |
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