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Liberty University Head Softball Coach Paul Wetmore has announced the signing of Jenna Eatman, Elena Lampman and Tiffani Smith to national letters of intent for the 2007-08 academic year.
Jenna Eatman (5-6, UTL, Newport, N.C.)
Eatman is a rising senior at Croatan High School in Newport, N.C., where she has been a three-year varsity starter with a cumulative .537 high school batting average.
As a freshman, she earned East Central 2A All-Conference Honorable Mention honors as she led her team with a .515 batting average. During her sophomore season, Eatman was named team MVP after batting .627, helping her earn all-conference and Player of the Year runner up honors.
Last year, she was named Jacksonville Daily News Player of the Year as she batted .468 from the plate with 30 runs scored, 10 doubles, four triples, 23 stolen bases and 20 RBI. Croatan finished the year with a 20-6 overall record and a final ranking of eighth in the 2A North Carolina School Coaches Poll. Eatman also made considerable contributions from the circle during the year as she finished the season with a 17-5 record, 1.96 ERA and 87 strikeouts.
“Jenna is a true utility player, who can play first base, pitch or play the outfield,” stated Wetmore. “Playing for the ASA 2006 National Champions has prepared her well for the next level. She is a great fit for Liberty University and we are happy to have her on our team.”
Eatman has also had a very successful ASA career that includes time with the Carolina Cardinals 18-under team that claimed the 2006 ASA National Championship and the Pitt County Rockets 16-under squad that finished fifth at nationals in 2005.
Elena Lampman (5-3, OF, Union, Ky.)
Lampman is a three-year letterwinner from Larry A. Ryle High School in Union, Ky., where she is the only athlete in school history to compete in multiple sports (softball and track) and help both teams claim state championships.
During her career with the Lady Raiders, Lampman has compiled a .407 batting average, a .492 on-base percentage, 80 stolen bases, 101 runs scored and 26 RBI as a lead off hitter. Over the last three years, she has led the Northern Kentucky region in runs scored and stolen bases.
As a junior, Lampman helped guide the Lady Raiders to the KSHAA Fastpitch Softball State Championship where she was named to the all-tournament team. She was named to the Softball Academic all-state second team and the Kentucky Post first-team squad, while garnering the Ringor Showcase “Best of the Best” award. She also picked up her third selection to the Cincinnati Enquirer Softball All-Star team, becoming the first player in school history to be named to the squad three-consecutive years.
During her sophomore season, Lampman was named to the Cincinnati Enquirer Softball All-Star team, the Kentucky Post Softball first team, the KHSAA Region 9 All-Tournament team and the Derby Classic All-Tournament team. She also finished 13th in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles at the KHSAA 3A/4A Track State championships and she was the recipient of the Soccer Sportsmanship Award.
As a freshman, Lampman was named to the Cincinnati Enquirer Softball All-Star team, the Track Academic All-State squad and the Cincinnati Enquirer Track honorable mention team. She was a KHSAA Region 9 long jump champion and finished eighth in the KHSAA 3A/4A state championship in the long jump.
“We are pleased to have Elena as a part of our future,” commented Wetmore. “She is an outstanding athlete, who can run down most balls hit in the outfield. Her foot speed will cause havoc on the bases for the competition. We expect her to be an impact player for us right away.”
Tiffani Smith (5-7, RHP/OF, Hanover, Pa.)
Smith comes to Liberty as the reigning YAIAA Conference Player of the Year as she batted .588 with a .596 on base percentage at South Western High School during her junior year. She also was named the Gettysburg Times and the Hanover Evening Sun Player of the Year as she set a South Western record with 46 hits, while adding eight doubles, three home runs and 15 stolen bases (was a perfect 15-of-15 in steal attempts).
“Tiffany’s dedication and work ethic have allowed her to become a complete player,” stated Joe Mullinix, South Western Head Softball Coach. “Her pitching, hitting and base running abilities were major contributions to our team becoming the school’s first District III champions. She is a team player who possesses a true love for the game.”
A versatile athlete, Smith also finished last season with a 14-3 record in the circle, along with a 0.30 ERA and seven shutouts. She set a school record with 225 strikeouts in 118 innings of work, while surrendering just 10 walks. The 2006 York Daily Record Player of the Year enters her senior year with 443 career strikeouts and a 0.20 career ERA, which both rank best in school history.
“We continue to strive to bring in athletic players who can help in more than one area on our squad. Tiffani fills that order very well,” remarked Wetmore. “She has had a stellar high school and travel ball career as a pitcher, as well as an outfielder, hitter and speedster. She is an outstanding addition to our team and we expect great things from her."
JLFJR wrote:Thanks for your input, PA! Very helpful.
By BRYAN SICK
Evening Sun Assistant Sports Editor
Article Launched:12/15/2006 09:03:46 AM EST
After striking out 327 batters, walking just 21 and keeping her ERA at an unbelievable 0.20 over the past two years, Tiffani Smith was a little surprised the recruiters weren't banging down her door.
The list of schools battling for the South Western senior's services wasn't so much a who's who of major softball programs. It was a list that would make people ask "Who?"
When asked what schools she was considering, she said, "Shippensburg was there for a while, a couple schools in North Carolina, South Carolina State, a junior college in Florida É"
At this point she had to stop and ask her father, Phil Smith, what the school's name was.
But the name of Chipola College would be irrelevant after Smith committed last month to play for the Liberty Flames of the Big South Conference.
And as it turns out, it's a decision she couldn't be happier with.
"It was kind of hard being a star in high school and knowing that nobody's looking at me," Smith said. "I kind of got nervous, but it all worked out. God has a plan for everybody and it's a good one so far for me."
The pitcher accepted a combined athletic and academic scholarship that will essentially give her a full ride to the NCAA Division I school in Lynchburg, Va.
"I kind of didn't really want to go to a big D-I school because I came from a small town," the soft-spoken pitcher said. "It'd be kind of a big difference and change. Liberty, it's kind of big, but it's a good fit for my personality."
At the same time, she's a good fit for the Flames program because of her versatility.
"We continue to strive to bring in athletic players who can help in more than one area of our squad," Liberty head coach Paul Wetmore said in a press release. "Tiffani fills that order very well.
"She has had a stellar high school and travel ball career as a pitcher, as well as an outfielder, hitter and speedster. She is an outstanding addition to our team and we expect great things from her."
In fact, her coach at South Western, Joe Mullinix, believes it's her versatility that made her into an NCAA Division I player, with last season being the turning point.
After batting .188 as a sophomore, Smith developed into a dangerous threat as the Lady Mustangs' leadoff hitter, batting .568 as a junior.
"Even as a freshman, I think (because of) her pitching, I had a pretty good feel she could play at that level," Mullinix said. "But I didn't think she could do all the other things at that point.
"Last year, as a junior, she finally became the complete package. Not only can she pitch, she can play the outfield at that level. she can bat at that level and, with her speed, she can do any level. That's a plus any coach is looking for."
The only strike against her, Mullinix believes, is her size.
Smith's petite frame may have been what kept her from getting serious looks from schools in major conferences.
"I think a lot of your big D-I schools have sort of a stereotype that they're looking for – 6-(foot-)2, thin," he said. "I don't think they give some of the kids that don't have that structure a fair look. They may have the equal ability to do it, but I don't think they think those pitchers have the stamina."
Now Smith is looking forward to the opportunity to prove the stereotype wrong in games against the major programs, and enjoying everything that comes with it.
This year's Liberty schedule includes such schools as Boston College, Hawaii, Oregon State, Baylor, California, Michigan, Northwestern and Tennessee.
"They play a bunch of schools and they travel," Smith said. "It's going to be a great experience, going places and playing Tennessee and seeing their complex and everything. I think it'll be really fun."
The only strike against her, Mullinix believes, is her size.
Smith's petite frame may have been what kept her from getting serious looks from schools in major conferences.
"I think a lot of your big D-I schools have sort of a stereotype that they're looking for – 6-(foot-)2, thin," he said. "I don't think they give some of the kids that don't have that structure a fair look. They may have the equal ability to do it, but I don't think they think those pitchers have the stamina."
Now Smith is looking forward to the opportunity to prove the stereotype wrong in games against the major programs, and enjoying everything that comes with it.
just how small is she? did I miss that in the piece somewhere?
seems like Coach is thinking along the same lines as Rocco here- get the top athletes in here and THEN look for a spot to put them.
welcome to LU, Tiffani
JLFJR wrote:Thanks for your input, PA! Very helpful.
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