Thunderbirds Sign Eight

              CEDAR CITY, Utah, May 22 – Southern Utah University has signed eight softball players to national letters of intent, head coach Jodi Jackson has announced. Included in the group are seven high school athletes as well as one junior college transfer.

              The group which will be entering as freshmen includes infielder Aly Daniels, third baseman Darleen Fernandez, shortstop Stephanie DeJesus, first baseman Shannon Lum, infielder Shannon Goble, utility player Brittany Henderson and catcher Lindsey Headley. The junior college transfer is outfielder Natalie McBurney. Five of the preps: Fernandez, DeJesus, Goble, Henderson and Headley come from the Las Vegas area.

              Daniels will come to SUU from Puyallup High School in Puyallup, Wash. A three-sport standout – in softball, basketball and soccer – Daniels is three-time all-South Puget Sound League selection for softball as a middle infielder.

              “We look for Aly to bring range and depth to the middle of the field, and her natural athletic ability will be a strength to any roster,” Jackson said. “Aly has played high-level summer ball that has prepared her for Division I softball.”

              Fernandez prepped at Las Vegas High School where she helped her team to three straight division championships and a 12-0 mark in division play this season. A three-time all-division performer, she earned first-team all-region honors this year as well.

              “Darleen is a consistent fielding third baseman with a strong bat,” Jackson said. “We are excited to add her to our lineup as her love of the game is contagious.”

              DeJesus is a three-time first-team all-division shortstop who played her senior season at Bonanza High. Last year she hit .419 in helping Bonanza to a second-place division finish.

              “”Stephanie is a speedy middle infielder who will be a versatile addition to our roster,” Jackson said. “In joining our powerful offensive lineup she will bring the lefty-slapping game and speed to balance out our team.”

              Lum will join the Thunderbirds all the way from Kaneohe, Hawaii. A two-time Interscholastic League of Honolulu first baseman, Lum led her St. Francis High School team to the state playoffs the past two seasons, batting .387 with six home runs and an on-base mark of .641 in 2007.

              “A powerful left-handed hitter and an extraordinaty character, Shannon is an exciting addition to our powerhouse offense as well as quality personnel,” Jackson noted. “We look for Shannon Lum to bring an offensive threat to our traditionally powerful hitting staff.”

              Goble, another middle infielder, is a graduate of Silverado High School, where she hit .356 with 25 RBI to earn second-team all-division honors this past season.

              “Shannon is an impressive fielder with amazing range and versatility,” Jackson pointed out. “Her bat will be a strong addition to our offensive lineup. The coaching staff looks for Shannon to be an impact-athlete in our infield while her knowledge of the game and her desire to be a team player will lead us in the right direction.”

              Henderson is a versatile athlete who can play any position on the field other than pitcher. She is a three-time second-team all-division selection from Cimarron-Memorial HS.

              “Brittany is the type of athlete that every team needs,” Jackson noted. “She has speed, a strong arm and quick defensive play. She knows the game and how to play it for quality in numerous fields, and we will look for her to do just that.”

              Headley hit .461 with 26 RBI for Green Valley HS last year, when she earned first-team all-division honors.

              “Lindsey is a committed athlete who will bring more quality to our offensive lineup as well as strength behind the plate,” Jackson said. “Her size and strength are powerful yet her athleticism instills quickness to her defensive play.”

              McBurney, who hails from West Covina, Calif. (South Hills HS), joins the Thunderbirds after helping lead her Mt. San Antonio College team to the 2007 California state championship as well as league and regional championships in 2006. She was a .340 hitter with a .656 on-base percentage this past year.

              “This experienced power-lefty is a gem to add to our roster,” Jackson said. “Natalie is a natural leader joining a championship Thunderbird program from a championship program and that’s all she knows how to be.

              “This is my largest signing class in my time here,” Jackson pointed out. “I am eager and elated to have this level of talented athlete join our quality program. We have taken the time to assure our program that these eight teammates are invested in Southern Utah [University] as an academic and athletic home for their college careers.

              “Southern Utah softball welcomes these elite eight to our family and we look forward to their joined success as Thunderbirds.”

-- SUU --