News Release
Pacific softball: Softball Signs Five For 2011
(November 19, 2009) -
Pacific softball head coach Brian Kolze has announced the signings of five student-athletes to national letters of intent for the 2011 season during the early signing period that ended on Wednesday, November 18. The Tigers have added Megan Foglesong (Valencia, Calif.), Gabby Goyette (El Dorado Hills, Calif.), Taylor Petty (New Caney, Texas), Kelsey Rodriguez (Chandler, Ariz.) and Tori Shepard (Lodi, Calif.).
Foglesong will join the Tigers from Valencia High School in Valencia, Calif. where she has been a part of one of the most successful high school programs in the nation for the past three seasons. As a freshman, Foglesong played alongside current Pacific's standout Nicole Matson and current Pacific freshman Amy Moore as the Vikings finished the season 32-1 overall en route to their first ever California State Title as well as their first ever national championship. As a sophomore, Foglesong earned All-Foothill League First Team honors as she again helped lead the Vikings to their second straight state title. During the season, Foglesong hit .357 in 35 contests while scoring 20 runs and driving in nine more. Last season, as a junior, Foglesong proved to be the Vikings' best hitter as she finished the year with a team-best .421 batting average in 31 contests. Additionally, her prowess at the plate led to more runs for the Vikings' as she posted team-highs in both runs scored (32) and RBI (24) on her way to her second straight first team all-league selection.
A standout outfielder for Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, Calif, Goyette enters her senior season with the Trojans after leading her team to both the Sierra Valley League championship and the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section championship as a junior in 2009. As a junior, Goyette posted a .324 batting average in 27 games while adding 14 runs and nine RBI. The championship in 2009 was a repeat performance for the Trojans after they picked up the CIF championship for the first time in 2008. As a sophomore, Goyette led her team in hitting with an impressive .482 batting average while also adding 16 runs and six RBI at the top of the lineup. For her play, Goyette earned All-Metro First Team honors while also earning All-State Underclassman honors.
Jumping into the heart of Texas to snag a promising recruit, Petty comes to the Tigers out of New Caney High School where she is a two sports athlete in both softball and basketball. An all-around talent who can play all eight field positions for the Tigers, Petty has earned All-District honors in each of her thee seasons with the Eagles including earning first team honors in both 2008 and 2009 after leading her team in hitting in both season including leading the District in hitting as a sophomore. In addition to high school action, Petty plays a major part in the success of the Texas Impact Gold softball club as she has helped lead her team to the 18U ASA National Tournament in each of the last two years including a ninth place finish in 2008.Looking to bolster their offense and add depth to their stable of catchers, Rodriguez will join the Tigers after finishing her four years at Seton Catholic High School in Chandler, Ariz. A First Team All-Arizona State player last season as a junior, Rodriguez proved to be one of the toughest outs in Arizona High School softball after she posted a team-high .518 batting average in 30 contests. Of her 43 hits, 13 were extra-base hits including posting six doubles, four triples and three home runs while also finishing a perfect 14-for-14 in stolen bases. For the season, Rodriguez drove in a league-best 41 RBI while also scoring 35 runs as she led the Sentinels to a perfect 14-0 league record and the 4A East Sky title. Additionally, Rodriguez and the Sentinels went on to win the 4A-II Arizona State championship, defeating Greenway High School, 9-0, behind two Rodriguez RBI in the championship game. In 2008, the Sentinels were knocked out of the state tournament in the semifinals by Greenway HS.
In Shepard, the Tigers add a local star who will bolster Pacific's pitching staff immediately as a freshman. A senior at Lodi High School in 2010, Shepard has spent the last three seasons playing varsity softball for the Flames just down the road from Pacific. Through three season, Shepard has put together an impressive high school resume as she has posted a 37-12 overall record with a sub-0.50 ERA. Additionally, Shepard has proved to be an overpowering arm in the circle for the Flames as she as amassed 609 strikeouts in three seasons including once striking out 23 batters in a single game. For the past three seasons, Shepard has earned All-Area honors and All-San Joaquin Athletic Association honors including taking home the league's Most Valuable Player award as a sophomore. In addition to her play at the high school level, Shepard also pitches for the Runnin' Rebels club team after having played for the Lodi Extreme, a team that she led to their only Babe Ruth World Series Championship in 2008.
"I am extremely excited to add these five student-athlete to our ranks for the 2011 season," said Kolze. "This entire class will add a lot of talent, speed, versatility and depth to our team. In all five, they have the opportunity to make a significant and immediate impact for our program as freshmen."
