The 2011-12 WV Tech Softball Team features several new faces this year coming from across the U.S. The solid core of 5 returners with the addition of 7 new players will help the Golden Bears improve upon last season's 10-30 record. Tech finished the 2011 season playing St. Catherine in the first round of the Mid-South Conference tournament where they went 1-1 and were not able to play the third game due to weather which ended Tech's season. The Golden Bears will look to start off the 2012 season playing at Bluefield College on February 25, 2012. Meet your 2011-12 Golden Bear Squad.
Name: Ali Holmes
Height, Position: 5'6, 3rd base
Class: Junior
Home town: Dunbar, WV
High School: South Charleston High School
Major at Tech: Nursing/ Health Care Administration
Past Accomplishments:
2009 Athlete of the year.
2011 season:
Ali saw action in all 40 games for the Golden Bears. Holmes finished the year hitting .248 with 3 home runs. She helped pace the team with 31 hits and held a .899 fielding percentage.
Coaches Comments:
The return of Ali at 3rd base is a key to anchoring down our corner defense. Ali's potential to be not only a huge threat in the line-up but show a presents on the field. I look for Ali to produce very well in the heart of the line-up.
Name: Ashley Gibbard
Height, Position: 5'6, Outfield
Class: Freshmen
Home town: Tacoma, WA
High School: Wilson High School
Major at Tech: Criminal Justice
Past Accomplishments:
2010 Wilson High School Softball 2nd- Team Narrows League Division
2011 Wilson High School 1st-Team Narrows League Division
2011 Wilson Softball MVP
Coaches Comments:
Ashley comes from a very good summer ball program in Washington State. She has played against some of the nation's top talented organizations. She is going to make an immediate impact in the Mid South Conference offensively as well as defensively. Ashley will be a great 4 year player for Tech. The sky is the limit.
Name: Dana M. Charley
Height, Position: 5'3, Middle infield
Class: Junior
Home town: Ft. Definance, Arizona
High School/Junior College: Gateway Community College
Major at Tech: Athletic Coaching Education
Past Accomplishments:
2008 3A North Honorable Mention
2009 3A North All- Region 1st team
Coaches Comments:
I am very delighted to have Dana join our program. She is going to add depth up the middle and will fill a void at 2nd base. Not only her depth but her junior college experience will also bring maturity on the infield. I look for her to come in a make an immediate impact not only on the team but in the Mid-South Conference.
Name: Emily Geldbach
Height, Position: 5'7, Outfield
Class: Sophomore
Home town: Spokane, WA
High School: North Central High School
Major at Tech: Chemical Engineering
2011 season:
After switching over to the left side of the plate Emily was able to begin producing late in the season. Emily appeared in 40 games as a freshman. She anchored down centerfield for the Golden Bears and was solid defensively with a .922 fielding percentage.
Coaches Comments:
Emily is one of the fastest players on the team. Her speed at the plate and work ethic to improve on her slapping will make the defense has to make a lot of plays. I look for Emily to continue to grow and improve each and every day.
Name: Jacquelyn Wood
Height, Position: 5'5, Pitcher/1st base
Class: Freshmen
Home town: Anchorage, AK
High School: A.J Diamond High School
Major at Tech: Business
Past Accomplishments:
2010 First team all state
2011 Outstanding softball athlete for Dimond high
2009-2011 1st team all conference
Coaches Comments:
Jackie's improvement on her pitches will make her very successful on the mound. She is also versatile and will fill in at 1st base. She has good pop on her bat and will provide speed in the line-up as well. I look for her to continue to grow and make an impact in the Mid-South Conference.
Name: Jessica Stapleton
Height, Position: 5'5, Pitcher
Class: Senior
Home town: Navarre, FL
High School/Junior College: Navarre High School/ Faulkner State CC
Major at Tech: Healthcare Administration and Biology
Past Accomplishments:
Best Pitcher award Navarre High School
Bright futures medallion
MVP award Navarre High School
Second Team All State 5A Navarre High School
2011 season:
Jessica played in 36 of the 40 games seeing action at both 1st base and at pitcher. She drove in 11 runs and finished the year hitting .245 overall. She pitched a 105 innings with an ERA of 4.31 Against Pikeville she struck out 10 batters and 79 overall.
Coaches Comments:
Experience, Hard work, and dedication are 3 words I would use to explain Jessica. She has worked all semester to improve on her pitching. Jess not only worked on her pitching but did a tremendous job helping bring Laura and Jackie along. I look for her to have a fantastic spring.
Name: Jordan Logan
Height, Position: 5'4, Outfield
Class: Senior
Home town: Garden Grove, CA
High School/College: Pacifica High School/ Southeastern Louisiana University
Major at Tech: Bachelor Regents of Arts
Past Accomplishments:
2007 Tournament MVP
2007 Offensive player of the year
2010 Honorable Mention Southland Conference team.
2010 11th in Southland Conference for number of hits
President list and Honor roll 2008-2011
Coaches Comments:
Jordan comes to Tech by way of Southeastern Louisiana University, where she was a standout in centerfield for the Lions. Jordan will be able to lead off for the Golden Bears and provide that instant pressure to the defense. Her ability and knowledge of the game will not only anchor the outfield but will help lead the Golden Bears offensively.
Name: Katherine Lively
Height, Position: 5'3, Middle infield
Class: Freshmen
Home town: Spokane, WA
High School: North Central High School
Major at Tech: Nursing
Past Accomplishments:
All GSL 2008 2nd- team
All GSL 2009 1st- team (MVP)
All GSL 2011 2nd- team
Coaches Comments:
The addition of Kat to the team brings not only speed to the line-up but solid defensive play at short stop. Her experience playing against good summer ball teams brings instant impact to the infield. I look for her to have a successful freshmen year!
Name: Kathryn Campbell
Height, Position: 5'2, Catcher
Class: Junior
Home town: Vacaville, CA
High School/Junior College: Sacramento City College
Major at Tech: Criminal Justice
Past Accomplishments:
200-07 All league
2009-2010 Presidents Honor
2011 Conference 2nd team
Coaches Comments:
Katie comes by way of Sac City. I expect her success from Sac City to transfer here to Tech. She brings a wealth of knowledge with her behind the plate. She works really well with the pitching staff. She will hit in the heart of the line-up and I look for her to drive in a lot of runs.
Name: Laura Hensley
Height, Position: 5'7, Pitcher/Utility
Class: Freshmen
Home town: Knoxville, TN
High School: Hardin Valley Academy
Major at Tech: Civil Engineering
Past Accomplishments:
2009 MVP
2010 and 2011 All-district 3A Hardin Valley Academy
2010 and 2011 Defensive MVP 3A Hardin Valley Academy
Coaches Comments:
Laura is a very versatile player. Not only has she made big strides on the mound but adds depth to the infield when not pitching. She possesses great mound presents and I look for her to add some power late in the line-up.
Name: Stephanie Nickell
Height, Position: 5'3, Utility
Class: Junior
Home town: Fayetteville, WV
High School: Fayetteville High School
Major at Tech: General Studies
Past Accomplishments:
Coal Field Conference Impact player of the year 2009
2011 season:
Stephanie appeared in 40 games for the Golden Bears and finished the season with a .281 batting average. Stephanie finished the season 2nd on the team with 34 hits, 6 homeruns and 22 RBI's. She lead the team in walks with 19.
Coaches Comments:
Stephanie is the true meaning of a Utility player. She not only filled an important role last year on the team but will really prosper hitting in the middle of the line-up. She is constantly striving to make herself a better hitter at the plate and I believe it will pay off this season.
Name: Whitney Patrick
Height, Position: 5'7, Outfield
Class: Senior
Home town: Charleston, WV
High School: Riverside High School
Major at Tech: Healthcare Administration
Past Accomplishments:
ASA State Champs West Virginia Baseburners
2011 season:
Whitney appeared in 28 games for the Golden Bears finishing the season with a .240 batting average. She had 18 hits and had a .852 fielding percentage.
Coaches Comments:
Experience, depth, and game knowledge are some of the attributes Whitney brings to the team. She made big improvements at the plate and has a good basis of judgment in the outfield. Her experience will be key to success of the Golden Bears.
