Softball Signs Six for 2005
1/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Head Kent State University softball coach Karen Linder announced the signing of six student-athletes to national letters-of-intent Friday (Jan. 9). Jamie Fitzpatrick (Cartersville, Ga./Woodland), Keir McEachern (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West), Whitney Lebowitz (Tempe, Ariz./Corona Del Sol), Kim Hamilton (Cave Junction, Ore./Illinois Valley), Gabrielle Burns (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville) and Jessica Toocheck (Medina, Ohio/Medina) will join the Kent State University softball team for the 2005 season. Fitzpatrick, a 5-11 pitcher/outfielder from Woodland High School, notched a 19-7 record with a 0.53 ERA. She tallied 217 strike outs in 158 innings pitched with 13 shutouts, and six no-hitters. At the receiving end of the plate, she registered a .375 batting clip with 23 runs-batted in. She also gained all-state, all-region and all-county Player of the Year honors for the last three years. Fitzpatrick had her high school jersey retired at the conclusion of her senior season this past fall. Jamie is a tremendous athlete who can make an immediate impact on the mound, in the outfield, and in our offensive lineup, Linder said. She is a power hitter and we hope to use her in the middle of our order. The daughter of Michele and Johnny Fitzpatrick, Jamie intends to pursue education as a major at Kent State. McEachern comes to Kent State as a 5-9 left-handed pitcher. As a junior, she carded an 18-5 record and .830 ERA with 239 strikeouts in 160 innings. She accumulated 10 shutouts with three no-hitters. She was named the GMC Conference Player of the Year after leading the Firebirds to a conference championship and later a district crown. McEachern also received first team all-state, all-conference and all-city honors. Keir will pitch and work at first base for us, Linder said. Since shes left-handed she will add variety to our pitching staff. We will look for her to contribute right away. Keir, the daughter of Glenn and Joni McEachern, plans to major in either education or business. Lebowitz, a 5-4 catcher/outfielder from Corona Del Sol High School, who is a three-time all-region selection. She led the Aztecs to a 35-3 record and an Arizona state championship last season, and was ranked fifth nationally as a team in the final USA Today poll. At the plate, she registered a .385 batting average with a 1.000 field percentage. Whitney has had tremendous experience competing at the national level both in high school and summer teams, Linder commented. We look to utilize her both behind the plate and in the outfield. She should bring power to our offensive lineup. The daughter of Christine and Arthur Lebowitz, Whitney plans to major in public relations at KSU. Hamilton is a 5-7 middle infielder/shortstop from Cave Junction High School. As a pitcher last season she tallied a 15-8 record with a .823 ERA and 203 strikeouts in 167 innings. She also finished the season with a .448 batting clip on the plate. For her efforts, she received all-state honorable mention, all-conference first-team and was the team MVP. Hamilton also lettered in volleyball, basketball and track. Kim is a very versatile athlete and can play almost anywhere on the field, Linder stated. Even though she was an outstanding pitcher in high school, we recruited Kim to play the infield and her speed will help us on offense. Kim is the daughter of Marshall Hamilton and plans to major in sports medicine. Burns is an honorable mention all-state, first team all-district and first team OVAC selection from Wellsville High School. A 5-10 pitcher, she notched a 0.96 ERA, four no-hitters and 304 strikeouts with an average of 15 Ks per game as a junior. Gabrielle is a pitcher has only been pitching for a couple of years and already has tremendous speed, Linder quoted. We are looking forward to developing her as a power pitcher. Gabrielle is the daughter of Georgeanna and James Burns and hopes to major in education. Toocheck, a 5-6 shortstop/utility from Medina High School, carded a .344 batting clip, a .417 slugging percentage and a .945 fielding percentage in 2003. She also gained all-league and all- county accolades after leading the Bees to a 25-4 overall record and a regional runner-up finish. Jessica is a very versatile athlete who we could play anywhere in the infield or outfield, Linder voiced. She also is a very adaptable hitter from the left. She can slap, drag, and hit for power. Jessica, the daughter of Mary and David Toocheck, plans to major in education. The Kent State softball team opens the 2004 season at the UNC Triangle Classic Feb. 13-15, 2004 in Chapel Hill, N.C.
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