Softball Announces Fall Signing Class
11/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 9, 2005
WACO, Texas -- Baylor softball head coach Glenn Moore announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. The class, made up entirely of high school athletes, includes two pitchers and four players from the state of Texas.
"This class not only addresses our needs but gives us players that have the capability of playing a number of positions. This type of class allows us to have quality depth at every position on the field," head coach Glenn Moore said. "This will be considered one of the top signing classes in the country. The quality of this signing class makes it evident Baylor softball will continue to be one of the elite programs in the nation for some time."
The signing class includes the following players: Jessica Mehl (C, Dutchtown High School, Baton Rouge, La.), Courtney Oberg (C/UTIL, A&M Consolidated High School, College Station, Texas), Jessie Patrick (P/OF, Carroll High School, Southlake, Texas), Kelsey Sage (INF, Midway High School, McGregor, Texas), Kirsten Shortridge (P, Keller High School, Keller, Texas), Nicole Wesley (INF/OF, Parkview Baptist High School, Baton Rouge, La.) and Tiffany Wesley (INF/OF, Parkview Baptist High School, Baton Rouge, La.).
Jessica Mehl
Mehl, an all-district selection at Dutchtown High School, had an outstanding junior season as she teamed with fellow Baylor signees Nicole and Tiffany Wesley to help lead the New Orleans Déjà vu summer softball club team to the ASA Softball state championship last season.
"Jessica (Mehl) is a very talented catcher who has tremendous intelligence about the game," Moore said. "She has a very strong and accurate arm and hits for power and will be a potential three or four-hole type hitter."
Courtney Oberg
Oberg, a first team all-district selection last season, hit .402 with thee home runs and 23 RBIs as a junior for A&M Consolidated High School. The catcher and utility player, who also lettered in basketball, is a member of the national honor society.
As a member of the Impact Gold club team out of Houston, Oberg helped lead the team to a fourth-place finish at the Gold Nationals in Salinas, Calif.
"Courtney (Oberg) was one of the most talked about hitters of last summer in ASA club ball," Moore said. "She has a tremendous bat and can also hit with power while possessing the speed to hit doubles and triples. Primarily a catcher, she has the versatility to play several other positions."
Jessie Patrick
A three-year letter winner in softball at Carroll High Scholl, Patrick helped lead her team to the 2003 Texas District 7-5A championship. As a freshman, she was named district newcomer of the year. The right-handed hurler is also a two-time all-district selection.
Currently a member of the Wicked club softball team out of the Dallas area, Patrick helped lead the Impact Gold to a third-place finish at the 2004 ASA Gold Nationals.
"Jessie (Patrick) has long been considered one of the top pitchers in the state of Texas and is a feared hitter." Moore said. "She will see time in the outfield as she has the speed and arm to be successful at that position. She possesses a winning attitude that is contagious and is always making those around her better."
Kelsey Sage
Sage, a local product who attends Midway High School, had an outstanding junior season, hitting .489 with 21 runs and 37 RBIs. The infielder registered 45 hits last season including 11 doubles and four triples.
She currently plays summer club softball for the Fort Worth Batbusters and has also lettered in high school in basketball.
"Kelsey (Sage) is a tremendous athlete who can do many things for us," Moore said. "She may be the most athletic player in the class. She can play a number of positions and is a player who runs well and can hit with power."
Kirsten Shortridge
Shortridge enters her senior season at Keller (Texas) High School as one of the most accomplished pitchers in the state of Texas after she earned first-team Louisville Slugger NFCA High School All-America honors and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Texas as a junior.
Last season, Shortridge, who plays club ball with the Fort Worth Batbusters, won 34 games and finished the season with a 0.06 ERA and 453 strikeouts as she led Keller to the state title and the national No. 1 ranking in the USA Today/NFCA High School Top 25.
"Kirsten (Shortridge) is considered to be the top pitcher in the state of Texas," Moore said. "She throws hard and has good down movement and a good change-up. Kirsten will make an immediate impact. She has the speed of a slap-hitter and can hit from both sides of the plate."
Nicole Wesley
Nicole Wesley, an all-district and honorable mention all-state selection as a junior, batted .278 as a junior with 35 runs scored as she helped lead Parkview Baptist High School to the state championship. N. Wesley also made her mark on the base paths, stealing 23 bases on the season.
As a member of the New Orleans Déjà Vu summer softball club team, N. Wesley helped lead the team to the ASA Softball state championship last season.
"Nicole (Wesley) is a speedster who is a student of the short game and a very good athlete," Moore said. "She can play infield and outfield and will keep our speed game in tune and apply pressure to opposing teams with her aggressiveness on the base paths."
Tiffany Wesley
Tiffany Wesley, an all-state selection as a junior, batted .383 last season while scoring 38 runs. The first-team all-district utility selection also recorded 49 stolen bases on the season and had a fielding percentage of .967 on the year.
As a member of the New Orleans Déjà Vu summer softball club team, T. Wesley hit .500 at the prestigious Colorado and California summer league tournaments.
"Like her identical twin Nicole (Wesley), Tiffany (Wesley) can do it all," Moore said. "The upside to these two incredible, hard working young ladies is tremendous. Like her sister, she is known for her aggressive style of play and is a perfect fit with our philosophy here at Baylor."
The signing class marks the largest early-signing class for head coach Glenn Moore during his career at Baylor. The Lady Bears will open the 2006 season when the Lady Bears host Tulsa at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, to open the Getterman Classic.
Baylor Softball 2005 Fall Signing Class
Jessica Mehl, C, 5-8, R/R, Dutchtown High School (Baton Rouge, La.)
Courtney Oberg, C/UTIL, 5-9, R/R, A&M Consolidated High School (College Station, Texas)
Jessie Patrick, P/OF, 5-9, R/R, Carroll High School (Southlake, Texas)
Kelsey Sage, INF, 5-9, R/R, Midway High School (McGregor, Texas)
Kirsten Shortridge, P/OF, 5-10, R/R, Keller High School (Keller, Texas)
Nicole Wesley, INF/OF, 6-0, L/R, Parkview Baptist High School (Baton Rouge, La.)
Tiffany Wesley, INF/OF, 6-0, L/R, Parkview Baptist High School (Baton Rouge, La.)
