May 16, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University head softball coach Leslie Phelan announced Thursday the signing of three high school players to National Letters-of-Intent. Adrienne Lathrop, Bailey Rolfs and Natasha Sevco will all be eligible to compete for the Hilltoppers in 2003.
"I am extremely excited to announce this year's signing class," Phelan said. "These three student-athletes are not only talented, but they are all genuinely excited to be Hilltoppers. They bring a wealth of experience having played on three of the most competitive travel teams in the country."
Lathrop, a 6-foot right-handed pitcher from Ridgecrest, Calif., has posted a 9-3 record with a 0.76 ERA in Desert Sky League action this year for Sherman E. Burroughs High School, fanning 113 with only 10 walks in 83.0 innings. She has recorded four shutouts while allowing three or fewer hits in seven contests. And, she is hitting .342 with eight RBI at the plate. Lathrop is a two-time conference Most Valuable Player selection, and she holds every school pitching record.
"Adrienne already throws hard and moves the ball well, but with her size and strength she has unlimited potential," said Phelan. "She is also a strong hitter, so she should contribute offensively as well."
A 5-foot-6 catcher/infielder from Bullard High School in Fresno, Calif., Rolfs is batting .340 with 17 runs and 19 RBI this season, including eight multiple-hit games. A two-year starter for the Knights, she was an honorable mention all-North Yosemite League selection last year, and she has also been named to the Best of the West all-tournament team. Rolfs has also lettered in soccer - where she earned second-team all-conference honors in the fall - and water polo.
"Bailey was recruited as a catcher, but she has the ability to play several positions," Phelan said. "She is an excellent athlete with good foot speed and a strong arm - she also swings a powerful bat. We are confident that her overall skills will allow her to make an immediate impact."
Sevco, a 5-foot-9 right-hander from San Diego, has gone 15-0 this season with a 0.25 ERA to help lead Mira Mesa High School to a 31-1 record entering its regular-season finale this week. As a junior, she was 11-2 with a 0.20 ERA, recording three no-hitters, including a perfect game. Sevco struck out 195 and walked just 10 in 101.0 innings to earn first team all-California Interscholastic Federation (San Diego) and all-Eastern League honors.
"Natasha throws the ball with good speed, and has an excellent change-up to compliment her other movement pitches," said Phelan. "She is an all-around good athlete who also swings the bat well.
"With the addition of Adrienne and Natasha, next year's pitching staff will without a doubt be the strongest in our short history."
Western won a school-record 37 games last year, the program's third, and finished tied for second in the Sun Belt Conference. The Hilltoppers concluded 2002 with a 37-22 record, winning three in-season tournament titles.
- WKU -
