 Conway Adds Two for 2010 Campaign
Nov. 14, 2008
ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis head softball coach John Conway announced Friday that Alyson Brand (Louisville, Ky. / DuPont Manual) and Jessica Buschjost (St. Thomas, Mo. / Blair Oaks) have each signed a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Billikens starting in 2010. Both players will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year. Brand, a 5-foot-5 catcher/third baseman, began playing varsity softball at Southern High School in Louisville, Ky. as a sixth grader. She earned All-District honors in seventh and eighth grade in addition to picking up All-Region plaudits as an eighth grader after helping her team to a state tournament berth. After hitting over .400 the past two seasons, the three-time team captain garnered All-District and All-Region honors at DuPont Manual High School. Brand has also been a member of the Louisville Lady Slugger club team since she was 10 years old. Her U-10 and U-12 teams captured the Disney Thanksgiving Fest titles, and in 2006 her team finished second at ASA Nationals. Brand is also a four-year honor roll member. "Aly comes from a strong summer program that competes at a high level," Conway said. "She has a great attitude, and she is a solid hitter with power and an extremely strong arm. I can see her competing for playing time during her rookie season." Buschjost, a 5-foot-4 outfielder, was an All-State Second Team selection in 2008 after being chosen as the co-Conference Player of the Year. She also earned All-Regional First Team accolades as a senior in addition to picking up All-Conference and All-District honors for the third time in her career. Buschjost, a 2007 Academic All-State honoree, guided the Falcons to three district titles and four consecutive conference crowns. She was also a member of the Central Missouri Crust club team that won the state title in 2008. "Jessica is an All-Conference and All-State player who will make an immediate impact on our program," Conway said. "She is a strong outfielder and a lefty slapper with above average speed."
A three-sport athlete, Buschjost also excelled as a sprinter on the track team. She helped the 4 x 200 meter relay team capture the 2008 state title, while the 4 x 100 meter squad she was a member of finished second. Buschjost was a three-time All-Conference and All-District honoree, and was a three-time conference titlist in the 100- and 200-meter dash. She also helped the 4 x 100 and 4 x 200-meter relay squads win district and conference titles the past three seasons. Saint Louis begins the 2009 campaign at Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas on Feb. 13, 2009. |
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