Softball Inks Eight for 2013 Season

KENT, Ohio – Kent State softball Head Coach Karen Linder recently announced the signing of eight high school seniors to national letters of intent,giving the Golden Flashes viableoptions at every position for the 2013 season.  The class includes Michele Duffy (Phillipsburg, N.J.), Alyssa Frankenfield (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Kim Granata (Perrysburg, Ohio), Chloe Kesterson (Everett, Wash.), Lauren Kesterson (Everett, Wash.), Arika Roush (Springfield, Ohio), Shelbi Tilton (Massillon, Ohio) and Erika Warren (North Canton, Ohio).

"This class is loaded with talent that will help in all phases of the game," Linder said.  "Offensively, there's a great combination of speed and power and left and right-handed hitters.  Defensively, we added a number of versatile athletes that can play infield or outfield."

Duffy is a two-time all-conference first team selection with experience at second base and shortstop.  Also an all-conference athlete in basketball and field hockey at Phillipsburg H.S., Duffy  is a versatile athlete according to Linder that could play anywhere in the infield.

"Michele has been an impact player on her travel team that competes in high level national tournaments all across the country," Linder said.

Frankenfield is the lone pitcher in the group, who combined for a record of 26-9 with 311 strikeouts in her first two seasons at Jefferson H.S.  She was named Champs Sports Network Sophomore Athlete of the Year after leading Jaguars to the WPIAL quarterfinals. Frankenfield also played on a travel team with Duffy.

"Alyssa has very good size and speed with the ability to move the ball and change speeds," Linder said.  "She has pitched at a national level with travel teams and we're excited for what she brings to our staff."

Granata earned all-county first team honors in her freshman and junior seasons and has earned spots on the all-district team in three straight seasons as a utility player for Perrysburg H.S.  As a junior, she hit .450 with eight home runs and 31 runs scored.

"Kim is a left-handed power hitter with experience at first base, catcher and outfield," Linder said.  "She has set home run records at Perrysburg and we look for her to add power to the middle of our lineup."

The Kesterson twins helped Everett High School to a third place finish in Washington's 2010 state tournament.  Chloe provides range in the outfield, while Lauren can play anywhere in the infield.  Both have earned all-conference honors in all three seasons, including first team accolades in 2011.  Chloe ripped 10 home runs and drove in 40 runs last season.

"Chloe and Lauren will both bring power and speed to our lineup," Linder said.  "Both are in the record books at their high school in several offensive categories.  And they played on a travel team that went all over the country."

Roush has experience in the infield, but her athletic ability could also have her in the outfield.  She has earned all-league honors in each of her three seasons at Kenton Ridge H.S. and claimed all-state honors as a junior.  She is also a standout basketball and soccer player.

"Arika is a three-sport athlete and has had tremendous success in all three," Linder said.  "One of her biggest strengths is her quickness on the softball field.  And now she'll have the chance to focus strictly on softball."

Tilton, a utility player, was a member of Massillon Perry's 2010 state championship team.  An All-Federal League Second Team member last season, Tilton hit .376 as a junior.  Like several other members of Kent State's current team, she competed for the Ohio Lasers over the summer.

"Shelbi is an outstanding clutch hitter with experience in both the infield and the outfield," Linder said.  "Shelbi was an integral part of both her state championship team and her travel team that finished fifth at ASA 16U nationals."

Warren, a catcher, helped Hoover to a 2011 state championship. The 2011 Federal League Player of the Year hit over .500 in the state tournament with at least one RBI in each postseason game.Last season, her 44 runs batted in set a Hoover single-season record.  For two seasons she was high school teammates with Kent State shortstop Alex Marcantonio and was a teammate of Tilton's with the Lasers.

"Erika has won championships in both high school and in travel ball where she helped the Beverly Bandits win a national tournament," Linder said.  "She has all the mental and physical qualities of an exceptional catcher.  She also possesses great power and the ability to come through with game-changing hits."

The Golden Flashes will graduate seven seniors following the 2012 season, but will have talent waiting to fill spots the following year.

"We've got everything in this group," Linder said.  "We've got left-handed power, right-handed power, speed, quickness, pitching, catching, infield and outfield. They will bring a high level of competitiveness and will be competing for starting positions.  I am most excited about the success they have had at a national level.  They are all very good students and will help us maintain our high academic standards.  We are really looking forward to working with them."

Kent State's 2012 season gets underway Feb. 10-12 at the UNLV Invitational.