 Softball Inks Four During Early Signing Period
Nov. 19, 2009
ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis head softball John Conway announced today that four student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University and play for the Billikens starting with the 2010-11 academic year. The signees are Julian Austin (Ashland, Mo. / Southern Boone County), Kelsey Biggs (Arnold, Mo. / Seckman), Caitlin Santefort (Mokena, Ill. / Lincoln-Way East) and Jessica Van Nostrand (Palmyra, Mo. / Palmyra). Each will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2011 campaign. "This is as strong as any class that we've recruited since I've been at SLU," Conway said. "All of these players will develop into major contributors, and I expect a few of them to make an immediate impact on our program next season. Our goal is to keep adding high-caliber players to our roster so that we can continue to compete for an Atlantic 10 Conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth. These players will most certainly help us move toward our goal of being the best softball team in the league." Austin, a 5-foot-8 right-handed pitcher, was named to the 2009 Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association (MHSFCA) Class 3 All-State second team after guiding her team to the Class 3 state tournament quarterfinals. As a senior, she struck out 234 batters and posted a 0.77 ERA to help the Eagles to a 19-4 mark in addition to district and sectional crowns. Austin is a four-time All-District and All-Conference pick and a three-time All-Regional designee. She helped the Missouri Madness club team to three consecutive ASA 18U national championships, including a top 20 finish in 2007, and three straight Missouri ASA state championship contests where it twice won the title. Her older sister Kristin is a member of the Louisville softball team. "Julian is a championship-caliber pitcher, who has the ability to break the ball on all planes and change speeds effectively," Conway said. "She comes from an athletic family and has enjoyed a solid high school career. Julian has experienced success at the high school and club levels and will without a doubt be a strong collegiate pitcher."
Biggs is a four-time MHSFCA Class 4 All-State pick. The 5-foot-8 infielder was awarded a first-team All-State nod in 2008 and earned a spot on the second team in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Biggs recorded 168 hits during her four-year career, which according to the Missouri high school record book prior to the 2009 season would be third on the career hits list. As a senior, Biggs hit .417 with 31 RBIs and a career-best five home runs as she led the Jaguars to a 20-3 record. The four-time All-Conference, All-Region and All-District pick helped her team capture Class 4 sectional crowns in 2006 and 2007. Biggs is a member of the St. Louis Chaos club team, which won 10U and 14U ASA national titles and came in second at the 12U and 16U ASA National Tournaments. "Kelsey is a versatile infielder, who can also play in the outfield," Conway said. "She's a strong hitter with a strong arm, who will make an immediate impact on our program. Kelsey has played at the highest level with the St. Louis Chaos 18 Gold squad." Santefort, who will play her senior season in the spring, is a 5-foot-8 right handed pitcher who also plays first base. In 2009, she garnered Chicago Tribune All-State special mention recognition after piloting the Griffins to an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 4A regional title. Santefort went 18-3 in the circle that year and batted .427 with a school-record six home runs and 28 RBIs en route to team MVP honors. As a sophomore in 2008, she hit .316 with a .500 slugging percentage, while posting a 6-5 pitching record with a 1.43 ERA, six saves and 89 strikeouts. Santefort, a two-time All-Conference selection, helped the Griffins to one of the most successful campaigns in school history in 2007. That team went 31-8 and won regional and sectional crowns to advanced to the IHSA Class AA state tournament. Santefort plays club softball with the New Lenox Lightning Gold. "Caitlin is one of the few pitchers that we've recruited at SLU who will have the opportunity to hit," Conway said. "She has a good changeup and does a good job of changing the speed of her pitches. Caitlin has played for one of the top club organizations in the Chicago area." Van Nostrand, a 5-foot-4 infielder, has a wealth of championship experience after leading her team to an unprecedented three Missouri Class 2 state softball titles from 2006 to 2008. The three-time MHSFCA All-State first-team selection hit .479 as a senior with 22 RBIs and an .873 slugging percentage as the Panthers advanced to the Missouri State High School Athletics Association (MSHSAA) Class 2 quarterfinals. Van Nostrand also garnered All-Conference first team accolades three times and received All-Region and All-District honors in 2009. She was a member of the Missouri Pride club team that finished 59-10 in 2008, and now plays for the St. Louis Chaos organization. "Jess is what I consider to be the total package for a middle infielder," Conway said. "She can hit for power, she's got speed and she has a strong arm. Jess will be a major contributor in our program next season. Plus, she already has championship experience, leading her team to state titles in three of the last four seasons." |
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