UWS Softball Announces Incoming Class

July 23

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

Head Coach Roger Plachta of the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellow Jackets softball team announced Tuesday his upcoming recruiting class for 2011. He announced six players joining his team next season including four incoming freshman and one transfer. Plachta also announced his captains for next season as well.

Three of the four incoming freshman are local standouts including Courtney Esse of Cloquet. Esse is also committed to play hockey for the UWS Women’s hockey team. Two transfers include from Bemidji State is 2009 Esko graduate Erin Emanuel, and from Mesabi Community College Kayla Blom.

The other UWS recruits are, Alayna Moe from Superior, Taylor Prior from Northwestern High School in Maple, Wisconsin, and Amanda Monson from Gillman, Wisconsin.

Kayla Blom is a shortstop who played the last two seasons at Mesabi Range Community College where she was named MCAC Northern Division First Team, the MCAC All-State Second Team, and the NJCAA A All-Region Section VIII Team this past season. “I am very pleased to have such an outstanding student athlete come to our program,” Plachta commented.

Erin Emanuel is a transfer from Division II Bemidji State University where she started 44 of 45 games they played. “Erin was an all-conference player at Esko High School and I am very pleased to have her as a part of the Yellowjacket Softball program” Plachta added.

Courtney Esse was a three year starter and two year captain at Cloquet high school, she

led the
Lumberjacks
in hits, RBI’s and batting average for the past two seasons.
Esse was also named all-conference her senior year.

Plachta has also named his captains for the 2011 season, they will be All-Conference and All-Region players Ashley Martin, Taylor VanDamme, and junior outfielder Ashlee Olson. The Yellowjackets finished the 2010 season with a 25-11-1 overall record.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com