RADFORD, Va. – Fourth-year head coach
Mickey Dean announced that
Jessie Hutchens (Riverside, Ill./Riverside Brookfield),
Samantha May (Culpeper, Va./Eastern View) and
Hannah Ojeda (Tampa, Fla./Tallahassee CC) have signed National Letters-of-Intent to join the Radford softball program in 2010-11.
Jessie Hutchens
5-9, Utility
Riverside, Ill./Riverside Brookfield High School
Three-year Metro-Suburban All-Conference selection… Named a top-100 player in the state of Illinois in 2009… Suburban Life All-Area honoree as a junior… Plays shortstop for Riverside Brookfield under direction of Dan Hull… Sister Meghan was a four-year basketball student-athlete at Illinois-Chicago (2005-09) and sister April is currently a sophomore softball player at Valdosta State (Ga.)… Member of the Beverly Bandits Club team that has produced current Highlander juniors Shannon Keefe and Kellie Snooks.
Dean on Hutchens: “Jess is a versatile player who has played shortstop, catcher, and first base for one of the premier summer teams (Beverly Bandits) out of Chicago. Jess has a great deal of power in her bat and should be a great addition to our lineup. She has a strong arm and plays with passion. We look forward to her arrival in 2010.”
Samantha May
5-4, Catcher/Outfielder
Culpeper, Va./Eastern View High School
2009 First-team All-Battlefield District and second team all-region as a junior… 2009 EVHS MVP… Played freshman and sophomore seasons at Culpeper County High School… Earned second team All-Cedar Run district honors as a sophomore… Former CCHS teammate of current Highlanders Michelle and Nichole Beall… Member of the National Technical Honor Society.
Dean on May: “Sam has had a great deal of success over the past year with her increase in power in hitting. She is a player we can put behind the plate, at a corner, or in the outfield. Her versatility and hitting will be areas that we will look to take advantage of. Sam comes from the Richmond Storm, which has produced some very successful Highlanders. We look to continue that trend with her.”
Hannah Ojeda
5-3, Outfielder
Tampa, Fla./Tallahassee CC/North Carolina State (Plant HS)
Will play at Tallahassee Community College in 2010 after transferring from North Carolina State… As a freshman, batted .270 in 31 games, making 27 starts for the Wolfpack… Recorded three-hit games against Siena and Michigan State… Named to USF Under Armour All-Tournament Team… Played second base at Plant High School for head coach Melissa Sigmon ... Hit .530 as a senior in 26 appearances with 44 hits, eight doubles, three triples and 25 RBIs… Helped lead her squad to the regional finals en route to being named all-conference and first-team all-county during 2008.
Dean on Ojeda: “Hannah will add a great deal to our team as a speedy outfielder and lefty hitter. Hannah has played at a high level of softball and will be coming in as a junior. Her experience, quickness, and bat will help solidify our outfield.”
The Highlanders are coming off their first Big South Championship and trip to the NCAA Regionals in Chapel Hill, N.C. In 2009, Radford posted a 41-15 record to become just one of four Division I softball programs to win 40-plus games the past four seasons.