head softball coach Dan Powers has announced that Hannah Klein and Jessica Lujan-Dressler have signed National Letters of Intent to come to and join the softball program beginning in the 2008-09 academic year.
Klein, from , , has been a top performer both on the field and in the classroom at . She is a two-time first team all-league performer, and last season she won the ACHS varsity softball award, also known as the Jessica Mendoza Award. With a grade point average of 4.0, Klein has received the Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics Award and was a nominee for the USAA National Science Award in 2006.
“Hannah is a power pitcher with great command,” Powers said. “She will help us make the transition to Division I in the circle, plus she can play third base and hit the ball well.”
A native of , , Lujan-Dressler is a three-year starter and two-time team captain at . She has received the scholar-athlete award three consecutive years, and she plays summer ball for the OC Lionettes, the same club that produced present players Erin Martin, Sandra Hernandez, and Jessica Amador.
“Jessica is a power hitter that will bring explosiveness to the middle of our lineup. She will play second base and can also play the outfield. Jessica brings a great desire to win and she comes from a summer program that has produced several other great SU softball players,” said Powers.
The softball team is coming off its best season ever, advancing to the final game of the West Regional after eliminating top seed and defeating second seed and host school Cal State Stanislaus. The 2008 season will be the final one for the program in Division II, as it joins the rest of the athletic department in making the transition to Division I.
“I am extremely happy with our 2008 signing class,” Powers said. “As we head into Division I competition both of these players will come in and make immediate impacts for our program. I expect big things from both of these players during their careers at .”
The 2008 softball season kicks off with the Best of the West Invitational hosted by Cal State Stanislaus in , on Feb. 1-3. The home opener will be a doubleheader on Saturday, March 8, against GNAC newcomer Montana State Billings.