CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University softball coach Casey Dickson and her coaching staff knew they had a lot of work to do this recruiting season to replace their outgoing seniors -- including two pitchers and a three-year starter in the infield - but their hard work paid off with the signing of four accomplished high school freshmen to letters of intent.
The four come from both near and far, as one hails from Clarksville, while the other three come from Illinois, Oklahoma and California respectively. The group includes two pitchers and two infielders.
"We're extremely excited with the four that we have coming in," Dickson said. "Three were very early commitments, because every year you have to look to the future.
"With this group we did a lot of research, watched a lot of games and got to know a lot about them. These four ladies will help this program take a big step."
Dickson also believes this quartet will mesh nicely with the current players on the roster as she and her staff hopes to build the Lady Govs into contenders in the Ohio Valley Conference.
"All of these recruits were able to visit Austin Peay twice," Dickson said. "They came both on unofficial and official visits, so that means they have had a chance to be around the current team and they mesh well.
"That is one of the big reasons they decided to come here is because of the players. Our current players have welcomed them, made they feel comfortable and excited for them to join the team."

2010-11 Austin Peay softball incoming class

• Lauren DeCastro, 5-8, P/ULT, Torrance, Calif., (Torrance HS)
• Whitney Ford, 5-2, SS/OF, Clarksville, Tenn. (Rossview HS)
• Jessica (Jessi) Holland, 5-6, 2B/3B, O'Fallon Ill., (O'Fallon Township HS)
• Taylor Mills, 5-4, RHP/OF, Fort Gibson, Okla., (Fort Gibson HS)

Individual Biographical Sketches and head coach Casey Dickson's comments

Lauren DeCastro
5-8, P/UTL, Torrance, Calif., (Torrance HS)
Career notes: Under coach Donald Glavich, played first base as a junior, batting .364, with nine doubles, two triples and one home run. She drove in 22 runs, while scoring 20 runs and finishing a perfect 5-of-5 in stolen bases. For her efforts, DeCastro was named first-team Daily Breeze All-Area, as well as earning first-team All-Pioneer League honors.
As a sophomore, hit .350, with four doubles and three triples for the Tartars, who won the Pioneer League and was a finalist in the CIF-Southern Section. She also drove in 23 runs, while scoring 10 times. She was named to second-team Daily Breeze All-Area team and second team All-Pioneer League.
In summer travel ball, DeCastro plays for coach Lew Currier of the California Mizuno Pride 18U Gold team, where she batted .372, while pitching 128.3 innings, with 158 strikeouts and a 1.04 ERA.
Dickson Comments: "Lauren plays for a well-respected travel ball program in California with great coaching and development. She will bring a vast amount of experience to our program with the ability to play in the outfield, at first base and pitch. She also swings a great stick. As a teammate, Lauren has a way to bring the best out in you. Her smile, love for the game and her charisma can elevate anyone's game."

Whitney Ford
5-2, SS/OF, Clarksville, Tenn. (Rossview HS)
Career notes: Under coach Phil Burkhart, played primarily at the shortstop position, but also saw time in the outfield. As a junior, was named to the all-district and all-area team after hitting for a .384 average, with seven doubles, seven triples and two home runs. She led her team in runs scored with 33, while driving in 14 from the leadoff spot and stealing 10 bases.
As a sophomore, hit .261, with four doubles and 12 stolen bases, while her freshman year, batted .341, with three doubles and four triples. She scored 27 runs, drove in 16 and stole 17 bases.
In summer travel ball, Ford plays for coach Larry Spear and the Nashville Nighthawks, which is one of the premier summer ball softball programs in the midstate.
Dickson Comments: "Whitney has a chance to contribute right away. She has speed, hustle, instinct and competitiveness. I like how she runs the bases with aggressiveness and smarts. As a shortstop she might be small, but she gets there (to the ball) quick and has a great arm."

Jessica (Jessi) Holland
5-6, 2B/3B, O'Fallon, Ill., (O'Fallon Township HS)
Career notes: Under coach Kate Walsh, played third base as a junior, where she was named first-team all-area after batting .410, with three doubles, two triples. Holland also scored 25 runs while driving in 20. She also led her team in slugging percentage (.500), on-base percentage (.473) and stolen bases. As a sophomore, was named honorable mention all-area as a shortstop.
In summer travel ball, plays for coach Dale Shelton and the Midland Magic Gold, where this past summer she batted .400 with 12 doubles and four triples. She scored 54 runs and drove in 18. Holland was also a perfect 17-for-17 in stolen bases.
Dickson Comments: "We knew Jessi was the one when she came to one of our softball camps. She is talkative, hard working and loves the game. She is competitive and a defensive producer. Jessi also is a very gifted student and is a great role model off the field as well. She had some very good Division I programs recruiting her and we are so happy this will be her new softball home."

Taylor Mills
5-4, RHP/OF, Fort Gibson, Okla., (Fort Gibson HS)
Career notes: Under coach James Parnell leaves after an all-state senior season where she was 16-5 in 152.3 innings with 198 strikeouts and a 0.60 ERA on the way to a state tournament quarterfinal berth.
Was a four-time selection on the All-Muskogee-Phoenix first-team, as well as earning all-conference first-team honors four straight years. Mills was named Pitcher of the Year following her freshman and senior seasons.
Was a member of four district and three region championship teams. Twice team advanced to the state quarterfinals (sophomore, senior), while finishing as state runner-up her junior season.
Overall, Mills finished prep career with a 70-20 win-loss mark, while striking out 827 batters. Her ERA was never above 0.80 in any season, while offensively never hitting below .300.
In summer travel ball, played for Dave Simmons (Tulsa Eagles Gold) and Keith Graham (Oklahoma Firebirds Gold).
Dickson Comments: "Taylor has had some big success in high school and we look forward to her improving our pitching staff. She has numerous awards and accomplishments and will bring championship success with her to Austin Peay. She throws hard, with some great breaking pitches, but besides her pitching ability, Taylor is a great left-handed slapper with speed."
 

- AP -