Softball Adds Three Infielders For 2005 Season
11/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Softball Adds Three Infielders For 2005 Season
11/18/2003
PITTSBURGH ? Pittsburgh head softball coach MIchelle Phalen announced the signing of three infielders to National Letters of Intent for the 2005 season on Tuesday. Joining the Panthers? ranks are corner infielder/catcher Mary Hecker, second baseman Valerie Mihalik and corner infielder Kelly Stiles. Hecker (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) can play first base, third base and catcher and earned All-Sierra Foothill League First Team honors in each of the past two seasons. In addition to playing at Roseville, Hecker plays for the California Breeze summer team. She is a three-sport standout, enjoying high school success in volleyball and basketball as well as softball. Mihalik (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) is a right-handed second baseman and chose Pittsburgh over Virginia Tech and North Carolina. Last season as a junior, she earned All-Lehigh Valley Conference First Team honors and also plays softball for the North Jersey Rocks summer league team. Mihalik?s father, Chris, played baseball for the Panthers from 1978-81. Stiles (Thurmont, Md./Catoctin) is a first- and third-baseman for Catoctin High and earned Frederick News-Post Defensive Player of the Year honors as a junior in 2003. A two-sport star in softball and volleyball, she plays summer ball for the Virginia Shamrocks and chose Pittsburgh over the University of Maryland. "We?re excited to bring in these three players," Phalen said. "They should all help us immediately next season, both offensively and defensively. I?m eager to see them play on the collegiate level." The Panthers open the 2004 softball season at the South Florida Tournament from Feb. 20-22.