University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Softball Team Signs Five
11/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The University of Minnesota softball team has announced the signing of five players to National Letters of Intent. Mounds View native Samantha Howard and four players from Texas - Aubrey Davis, Mallory Mitchell, Natalie Neal and Jammie Weidert - will join the Golden Gophers in 2007-08.
“Our staff is very excited about the opportunity to work with these five individuals,” Co-Head Coach Julie Standering said. “They are all very talented and will have the opportunity to contribute immediately and compete for starting positions. In addition to their abilities on the field, they are all equally dedicated in the classroom and will be great ambassadors for our team. We are pleased to have them joining our program.”
Samantha Howard has started at second base since her freshman season at Mounds View High School. As a junior last season, she led the Mustangs in batting average (.593), on-base percentage (.611), hits (51), triples (four) and runs scored (37), leading her team to a 22-4 overall record last season.
“Samantha is a quiet yet effective team leader and captain. Although articulate, she prefers to lead by example and action on and off the field. She is an incredible student of the game and will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the University of Minnesota softball program.” - Mike Koch, Assistant Coach, Mounds View High School
Aubrey Davis earned All-District honors as a junior last season at Kennedale High School in Texas. A four-year letterwinner who plays centerfield, she has been an all-city and all-conference performer each of the last three years. Davis batted .371 with 42 runs scored and had a .959 fielding percentage during her junior season. A multi-talented athlete, she is also the No. 1 singles player on her high school tennis team. She is a member of the National Honor Society and ranks in the top 10 percent of her class academically.
“Aubrey Davis is a one-of-kind athlete and has developed into the complete package. She always manages to make something happen when we need it. Aubrey is a true leader in workouts, on the field, and in the classroom. She is focused and ready for any challenge and will not be outworked or out-hustled. She has immeasurable potential and has matured into a great person and a great teammate.” – Amie Kirkpatrick, Head Softball Coach, Kennedale High School
Mallory Mitchell has led Forney High School to three straight district championships. A versatile player who primarily plays the corner infield positions, she has a .977 fielding percentage over the last two seasons. From the plate, she batted .386 as a junior last season with nine doubles in 30 games. In 2004, Mitchell was selected as a member of the Dallas/Ft Worth Elite players that faced the U.S. Olympic Team as they prepared for the Athens Olympics. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is ranked seventh in her class out of 508 students.
“I am very much looking forward to the Big Ten level of competition. Having the opportunity to work under Coach Bernstein, Coach Standering, and Coach White, it is my goal to be able to contribute to a great group of players in any way possible. Helping the team accomplish its goals means we are all successful. I am honored to be a part of the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher softball program.” – Mallory Mitchell
Natalie Neal has earned All-District honors each of the last two years, including being named a first team selection as a junior last season, at Frisco Centennial High School in Texas. In addition, Neal helped her club team, Texas Glory-Gold, to the 2005 18U Texas state championship. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been an Academic All-District selection each of the last three years.
“Natalie Neal is an on the field and off the field inspiration. Natalie’s work ethic has progressed her to a level in softball and the classroom that many young ladies only dream about. It has truly been a pleasure to coach Natalie and work the long hours together and see this progression. I am confident that Natalie will provide everything and more for the University of MN in many ways.” – Jim Weidert, Texas-Glory Club Coach
Jammie Weidert, a pitcher from Frisco, Texas, was a first-team All-District selection after compiling a 10-2 record as a junior last season. She finished the season with a 0.88 ERA and struck out 132 batters. In 10 complete games, she threw eight shutouts. A three-year All-City selection, Weidert has led her team to a 68-13-3 record over the last two seasons. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been named to the All-Area Academic Team each of the last three seasons.
"I've had the privilege of knowing Jammie for the past nine years and I have never coached a student-athlete more dedicated to getting better not only on the field, but also in the classroom. Her character, work ethic, and leadership skills will make her a great asset to the Minnesota softball program." – Max Bledsoe, Head Softball Coach, Frisco High School
