Wright Adds Two Junior College Transfers
6/30/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
June 30, 2000
LADYJACK SOFTBALL INKS TWO RECRUITS
CONTACT: Rob Meyers
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack head softball coach Ruth Wright announced today the signing of two junior college transfers to play softball for the university next year. Both signees attended Paris Junior College for the past two years.
Lekita Baker, a right handed outfielder from Liberty-Eylau High School, and Mimi Van Rijn, a right handed shortstop from Saltillo both have signed to play for the Ladyjacks starting with the fall semester.
Baker will bring a great deal to the team when she arrives next fall. "?Lekita could come in and challenge right away. She brings a great deal of speed and quickness to the team, and also has some power," said Wright. Baker earned honorable mention All-Texas Eastern Conference honors each of the past two seasons.
Van Rijn will enter the fall semester battling incumbent Melissa Bradford for playing time at shortstop. Van Rijn was a First Team All-TEC selection in 1999 at Paris, and also earned Second Team All-Texas Eastern Conference honors this past season. She was also the team's MVP in 1999 as a freshman.
"Van Rijn will enter practice challenging a returning letterwinner for the starting job at shortstop. She is a great contact hitter, a tough out at the plate. Not only is she a fine shortstop, but she could also help out behind the plate if it comes to that. She's a very versatile player," said Wright.
The Ladyjacks finished the 2000 season with an overall mark of 26-22, and a 12-13 record in Southland Conference play, The 12-13 mark left the Ladyjacks percentage points out of sixth place and a spot in the SLC post season tournament.
