Softball Adds Two Newcomers For 2011
5/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 17, 2010
PITTSBURGH—Head Coach Holly Aprile announced the addition of two Panthers for the 2011 season, as infielder Courtney Derus and pitcher Karlyn Jones make up the incoming class.
A Broomfield, Colo. native, Derus was a four-year starter at Broomfield High School. She was named an all-conference selection twice and earned all-academic honors three seasons. Playing at shortstop the past three seasons, she garnered the 2009 Defensive MVP and 2008 Team MVP accolades.
Derus has played club softball for Stephanie Klaviter and Dave King’s Triple Crown Stars.
“Courtney is going to add both versatility and depth to our infield,” Aprile said. “She is a hustling, hard-nosed player who I expect to have a very positive impact on our program.
Hailing from Sparks, Nev., Jones is currently in her senior year at Spanish Springs High School. She boasts a .67 ERA with 148 strikeouts in 94 innings of work. She is also batting at .479 with 32 RBI, three homers, nine doubles and two triples.
Jones has led her team to two conference and state championships. Last year, she was named the Pitcher of the Year in her league and collected all-state first team honors. Jones, held the best ERA in the state at .88 and fanned a season high 181 batters in 158.2 innings. At the plate, she carried a .519 batting and a .663 slugging percentage, earning an invitation to the U.S. Junior National Team tryouts.
“We are thrilled to have Karlyn as a part of our PITT Softball family.” Aprile said. “She is a focused, determined individual who is a proven winner in both high school and travel ball. We are excited to see what she can accomplish at the collegiate level.”
“I expect both Courtney and Karlyn to not only contribute, but to be integral to our future success,” Aprile added.