April 11, 2008

By Sean Spinks, Student Assistant

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Friday, April 11, 2008) - Redhawks softball head Coach Lana Richmond has announced the signing of two highly regarded softball standouts to national letters of intent to play for the Southeast Missouri State softball team in 2009. Giana Zimmerman and Ashlee Hebel are both highly touted recruits from the Western part of the United States.

Zimmerman is a pitcher and a four year starter at Wheat Ridge High School, one of the top 5A high schools in Colorado. As a member of the Farmers softball team, she was named All-State and All-Conference in both 2006 and 2007. She helped lead her team to state runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2006.

Giana Zimmerman went 15-3 her Senior Season

She has averaged over 12 strikeouts per game during her prep career. During her senior year, she led the state with a 0.31 ERA going 15-3 with 242 strikeouts and only issuing 24 walks in 128 innings of work as the Farmers went 21-3. She struckout 15 or more batters in a game five times her senior campaign.

Her senior season highlights include a 33 strikeout contest during a two day marathon that lasted 19 innings. During Zimmerman's junior year, she went 9-1 with a 1.17 ERA and 133 strikeouts.

Offensively she batted .403 with three homeruns, seven doubles, five triples and 24 RBIs her senior year.

Academically, Zimmerman was the Vice President of the National Honor Society and a member of the 4.0 Jaguar Platinum Honor Roll all for four years. She is a recipient of the SEMO- Presidents Academic Scholarship.

"One of Giana's best assets is she is a competitor and is always looking to exploit a hitter's weakness," commented Coach Richmond. "Her best pitch is definitely a rise, but has repertoire of other pitches. She plays at a highly competitive 5A school and pitches for a top ASA summer team in the Colorado Stars. Giana's extensive competitive summer experience will prepare her to pitch D1 immediately. Giana adds another dimension with her ability to play middle infield and provide a bat in the line-up."

Hebel is currently attending Mesa Jr. College in San Diego, California where she is a member of the softball team. She will have three years eligibility left when she gets on campus. Before attending junior college she attended Concord High School in Concord, Calif., where she was a first team All-league Honorable Mention catcher in the DVFL.

Currently Hebel is batting .250 (4-16) with two runs scored, three walks, one RBI and four sacrifices in nine games.

Ashlee Hebel is currently playing at Mesa Junior College

Hebel batted .500 in Summer League play for the Delta Diamonds 18 Gold ASA Team, one of the top teams in the Summer Leagues.

"Ashlee will provide depth to our catching department," said Coach Richmond. "She has been coached by former UCLA Bruin great Julie Marshall and brings in solid defensive fundamentals behind the plate. Her strength is the chemistry with her pitchers and this is extremely important next season with a young staff."

Zimmerman and Hebel join early signees Renee Kurtz and Shelby Stein as new signees for next season.

"With these recent signees along with Kertz and Stein, our 2009 class has the potential to come in and contribute right away," said Richmond. Our staff is looking forward to what they all can bring to the Redhawks softball program."