June 6, 2005

West Texas A&M University head softball coach Kevin Blaskowski has announced two more signings today (June 6), the latest additions to the 2005 recruiting class which is now at 14-players strong.

WTAMU signed local product, utility player Sarah Tatum from Canyon, Texas and shortstop Kelsi Jensen from Gilbert, Ariz.

"Kelsi and Sarah are both very talented and they are strong additions to our transfer class," Blaskowski said.

Tatum returns to the Texas Panhandle from Grayson College in Denison, Texas, where she played for one season. A 2004 graduate of Canyon High School, Tatum was a first-team District 1-3A selection her senior season after hitting over .400. Tatum was the recipient of the 2004 Golden Glove Award and the Lady Eagles' MVP her junior season in 2003.

"Tatum is a true utility player, as she can play a number of positions on the field and play them well," Blaskowski said. "Offensively, she will be a solid contact hitter for us. She can help us in a number of ways. Hopefully, her work ethic is contagious and the entire team will catch it."

Jensen comes to WTAMU from Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Ariz., where she was a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American selection this season, earning honorable mention accolades as an infielder, as well as a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American, receiving first-team recognition this season after second-team honors in 2004.

This season, Jensen helped Chandler-Gilbert to a 27-37 season, as the Coyotes were eliminated in the second round of the NJCAA Region 1 Tournament. Jensen was a two-time first-team All-Region selection, as well as a two-time first-team All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference honoree and was Chandler-Gilbert's Team MVP both seasons. This season Jensen hit .412 for the Coyotes with 49 RBI, ranking 24th in NJCAA, as well as smacking six home runs and swiping 14 bases.

"Jensen is very athletic. She is a complete player. Offensively, she is a power hitter that hits for average, and will be a major addition to the middle of our line-up. Defensively, she has good range and strong arm, and can play a number of positions. She is also a very disciplined person who brings strong leadership skills to the program," Blaskowski said.

2005 Lady Buff Softball Recruiting Class

Breanna Adams 2B/SS 5-10 Corona, Calif./Centennial High School
Katherine Alcala SS/OF 5-8 Farmington, N.M./Farmington High School
Brittany De La Cruz P 5-8 Lockhart, Texas/Longwood University
Brooke Guidry 3B/C 5-8 Granbury, Texas/Western Texas College
Erin Hartigan SS/2B 6-0 Omaha, Neb./Skutt Catholic High School
Amy Hitzfield OF 5-4 Round Rock, Texas/Howard College
Jace Holton OF 5-10 Houston, Texas/Cypress-Falls High School
Kelsi Jensen SS 5-10 Gilbert, Ariz./Chandler-Gilbert College
Krista Knapp OF 5-8 Dana Point, Calif./Odessa College
Jenny Matulich 1B 5-6 Houston, Texas/Cypress Creek High School
Meagan Stebbins P/1B 6-0 Temecula, Calif./Chaparral High School
Sarah Tatum UT 5-5 Canyon, Texas/Grayson County College
Michelle Teller C 5-4 Pflugerville, Texas/Howard College
Kory Zulauf P/IF 5-10 Kersey, Colo./Platte Valley High School

-WT-