CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois head softball coach Kim Schuette has announced the signing of three prep athletes and a junior college standout to National Letters of Intent.
The impressive group of future Panthers will include Illinois high school products Kylie Bennett and April Markowski, in addition to Oregon native Jennette Isaac. Heartland Community College transfer Hanna Mennenga, meanwhile, will add her name to the defending Ohio Valley Conference champion roster prior to the start of the 2012 spring campaign.
“Hanna is a local pitcher from Rantoul who just recently reset former EIU pitcher Amber May's junior college strikeout records,” said Schuette, “while Bennett is a sweet swinging lefty power hitter out of Lincoln Way who plays for a great summer ball team. Meanwhile, Isaac is a fiesty little slapper with great speed who is also a point guard on the basketball team, and Markowski is an all-around player with a great arm who loves to play and lives to play defense.”
Listed below are photos of each signee, along with player highlights and thoughts from coach Schuette and each future Panther.
KYLIE BENNETT
1B/OF ... Fr ... New Lenox, Illinois ... Lincoln-Way Central HS
... Southern Force summer team
… four-year starter at first base as a lefty power hitter
… team captain
… all-state, all-area and all-conference honoree
… blasted 11 home runs and owns with a batting average of .490 and .970 slugging mark
… high honor roll al four years
… member of the National Honor Society
Coach Schuette on Kylie…
“Kylie has an awesome swing, great power and is such a good kid. A true lefty with a swing like that who loves the game, loves EIU and also gets it done in the classroom is a great find. We look forward to Bennett being a force up to bat and driving in runs with her extra base hits in a Panther uniform.”
Why Kylie Chose to Attend EIU and Play for the Panthers…
“Because it was everything I could ever ask for in a college. The university is not too far from my home and it is the perfect size campus. The girls on the softball are amazing and super nice. The coaches made me like part of the family as soon as I stepped foot on campus, and I could not be any more excited. “
JENNETTE ISAAC
OF ... Fr ... Salem, Ore. ... West Salem HS (coach Patrick Dutcher)
... NW Bullets summer team (coach Dennis Muir)
… all-conference the past three years
… named honorable mention All-State last season
… three-time Honor Roll kudos
… member of the French Honor Society
… also a starting point guard on her high school's basketball squad
Coach Schuette on Jennette…
“Jennette is that feisty slapper that frustrates defenses and gives opposing coaches headaches. She has excellent hands of making the ball spin, bounce or stop where she wants it. What I really like about is that she loves her role of a table setter, doesn't try to be something she's not, and steals her way around to score runs. We look forward to this 5 foot tall speedster to run down balls in the outfield and really turn some heads on the bases and up to bat.”
Why Kylie Chose to Attend EIU and Play for the Panthers…
“When I went on my visit I thought, 'this is the school I want to be at'. The campus is beautiful, the surroundings reminded me of home, and I don't know where else I can see myself being. Also playing for the Panthers is a great opportunity for me.”
APRIL MARKOWSKI
OF/SS ... Fr ... East Leyden HS (coach Kurt Schuett)
... White Sox Training Academy summer team
… two-time all-conference honors
… her softball squad sported a 58-15 all-time record the last two seasons
… member of the Honor Roll
… also a starter on the volleyball squad
Coach Schuette on April…
“Like Bennett, April has been coming to camps and we've really enjoyed working with her. She is a true center fielder who also plays shortstop. What we like about her is that she can run down the ball, has a gun from the outfield, loves to dive and lives to play defense. She's the kid who stays after challenging the coach to try and hit a ball past her in the outfield or hit her just a few more hard-hit fly balls. We look forward to April's love of the game and love of EIU in joining our team.”
Why April Chose to Attend EIU and Play for the Panthers…
“Because I love how they are all like a family -- the coaching staff is great and so are the players.”
HANNA MENNENGA
P … So … Gifford, Ill. … Rantoul HS … Heartland CC
... transferring to EIU prior to the 2012 spring season
… third team IHSA all-state in high school
… ranked 10th in the IHSA with 404 strikeouts
… maintains high school record for all-time strikeouts with 978
… recorded a school-high 21 strikeouts in a game
… tied the school mark for most Ks in a 7-inning game with 17
… also a member of her high school basketball unit
… while at Heartland CC, she earned Second Team All-American honors as a freshman
… also named league 'Pitcher and Region Player of the Year' honors while at Heartland
Coach Schuette on Hanna…
“We are thrilled Hanna is joining us prior to the spring semester. We plan for her to step right in on the mound and fit right in with our team. Hanna competes, is used to being a work horse and produces. She wants the ball and will offer a nice compliment to our pitching staff with her up movement and speeds. It's not easy to transfer at the semester, but she is really excited in her royal blue and we are excited to have her, too.”
Why Hanna Chose to Transfer to EIU and Play for the Panthers…
“I love the campus, it is close to home, I love the family feeling, the coaches are awesome, and I love the color blue.”
... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID
