SAN ANTONIO - The UTSA softball program announced Wednesday the signing of Brittany Bell, Rudi Cantu, Cassie Miller and Krista Sitka to National Letters of Intent during the spring signing period. The four join fall signee Mercedes Hessel in the 2006-07 recruiting class.
“We are really excited about the class we have signed for the 2007 season,” first-year head coach Lori Cook said. “I feel like we added a combination of speed and power to our lineup. We have also added depth that we lacked this past year on our team.”
Bell was an all-district catcher/utility player for head coach Vicki Sorensen at Sterling High School in Baytown. She helped the Rangers win back-to-back district crowns and to a runner-up finish in 2006. The Rangers advanced to the area round of the Class 5A playoffs in Bell’s sophomore season, to the regional semifinals in 2005 and to the second round this spring. Bell, who played for the Mystixx 18 Gold summer team under head coach Ricky Garza, was named Sterling’s Most Improved Player in 2004-05 and Who’s Who Among American High School Students two years in a row.
Brittany Bell comes from a very successful high school program, as well as one of the top select teams in the state,” Cook said. “She will bring a strong bat and great catching skills behind the plate. She has a strong arm and runs the defense well. She is capable of playing a few positions and will contribute right away to our program.”
Cantu is an all-state and all-district outfielder from Alvin High School under head coach Carla Newsome, where she helped the Yellowjackets to four playoff runs in her four seasons. As a junior, Cantu was named, all-state, first team all-district and all-Brazoria County in helping Alvin reach the regional semifinal round of the Class 5A playoffs. Cantu was first team all-district and all-county as a sophomore and honorable mention all-district as a freshman, when the Yellowjackets advanced to the regional final. Cantu also played summer ball for the Storm Gold under head coach Larry Durham.
“Rudi Cantu is a very explosive, impact player that will bring speed to our lineup,” Cook said. “She will make things happen on the base paths, as well as in the field. She is the type of player that will fight and find a way to make something happen. She is capable of playing second base and in the outfield. With the loss of two senior outfielders we will look to her to fill one of those spots.”
Miller was an all-district catcher/infielder at Mesquite High School under head coach Teresa Thibodeaux. She helped the Skeeters win the District 12-5A championship and advance to the regional semifinal round this spring. Mesquite also was area champions in 2003 and bi-district champs in 2004. Miller also played for head coach Brian Menefee’s Texas Repaid Fire summer squad.
“Cassie Miller is another player that will have an immediate impact on our program,” Cook said. “She will bring power to our lineup, as well as a sound knowledge of the game. She has a strong arm and great defensive skills at third base and behind the plate. Her hitting style is similar to what we teach here at UTSA and I see her producing big numbers in our lineup.”
Sitka was an all-district infielder for J. Frank Dobie High School in Houston under head coach Robin Rackley. She helped the Longhorns finish third in their district and advance to the first round of the playoffs as a senior and was first team all-district as a junior, despite missing part of the year due to injury. A second team all-district pick as a sophomore, Sitka also was a standout volleyball player, earning second team all-state honors as a junior, first team all-district honors two seasons and Newcomer of the Year accolades as a sophomore. Sitka also played for Ricky Garza’s Mystixx 18 Gold summer team.
“Krista Sitka is a strong player that will be able to play the corners, as well as the outfield,” Cook said. “She has a strong, live arm and will swing the bat with power. She has a lot to offer in our lineup and I look for her to be a big contributor to our program.”
Hessel, the lone fall signee, was a four-year starter at Montgomery High School for head coach Michelle Rochinski, earning all-district honors all four seasons. In her junior year, the shortstop hit .348 with a .522 slugging percentage to help lead the Lady Bears to the regional quarterfinal round of the Class 4A playoffs for the first time in school history. Hessel also is a four-year starter for the basketball team. She also plays for the Texas Avengers Gold 18-and-under softball team where she posted a .306 batting average in 48 games this year.
“We are excited about bringing Mercedes to UTSA,” Cook said. “She is a very athletic shortstop who has a great arm and covers a lot of ground. She is also a versatile athlete that is capable of playing in the outfield or at first base. She is also a very good student that will succeed in the classroom. We are looking forward to her arrival next year.”
