CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois head softball coach Kim Schuette announces the signing of six prep athletes to National Letters of Intent, with the standouts set to join the Panthers for the 2014 season.
The impressive group of future Panthers includes three Illinois high school products -- Annie Crouch (Prairie DuRocher), Ashlynne Paul (Bloomington) and Amber Toenyes (Edwardsville) -- plus three additional out-of-state standouts in Lindsey Besson (San Rafael, Calif.), Kristen Hoppman (Sun Prarie, Wis.) and Jessica Weber (Waxhaw, N.C.).
“We are extremely proud and excited about the 2013 recruiting class,” said coach Schuette. “Several of these athletes could have gone onto “bigger” programs, but share our vision for this program and want to do great things here at EIU.
“These six players all fell in love with our family style and disciplined, intense, yet fun atmosphere that is Panther Softball. I owe much recognition to our assistant coach Jason Dorey for his timeless efforts and excellent recruiting skills, in bringing such talent to the OVC and EIU.
“Many of these players have attended several of our camps and have seen our program, the university and community first hand, which has made all the difference.
“This is a special group,” she added. “I see leadership, talent, blue collar hard work, and great personality.”
Listed below are photos of each signee, along with player highlights and thoughts from coach Schuette and each future Panther.
Lindsey Besson
Catcher/Utility | 5-10 | R/R
San Rafael, California | San Rafael HS
... on two great year-round west coast teams -- So Cal Sorcerers & So Cal Explosion -- under skipper Kirk Zuniga.
“Lindsey plays with the best, among the best and against the best every day,” says coach Schuette. “She is a strong catcher with a tremendous arm and a powerful bat. This shy, reserved, polite girl off the field possesses a powerful game once she's behind the plate or up to bat. She's a forceful, consistent player and we look forward to having her at EIU.”
While at San Rafael HS, Besson was an RSVP student representative for 3 years, while also involved with Teens Turning Green. She earned the Media Academy Award and was the Spirit Director and Link Crew Leader.
Also a member of a premier travel organization – So Cal Explosion -- made up of collegiate players from all over California.
Lindsey chose EIU, “because when I came for my unofficial visit, I noticed a bond between the girls both on-and-off the field… they seemed very happy… I was impressed with the program and the coaches… I am proud and excited to become a part of a school with such an academic and athletic reputation… When I went on my official visit I became certain that this was the right place for me … and that I would grow and be very happy here.”
She wants to play for Panther softball, “because I liked the pride the team has in their academic success, as well as their team records… I can't wait to be challenged and work to become a better player at the next level... when I went for my official visit, all of us 2013 recruits hit it off right away… I wanted to start playing right then and there... I am so excited to spend the next four years studying and playing the sport that I love… I can't wait to play for Panther Softball.”
Annie Crouch
Infielder | 5-7 | R/R
Prairie DuRocher, Illinois | Waterloo HS
... her prep coach, Sarah Renner, played collegiate ball for coach Schuette while at Quincy.
... member of Extreme Elite Club Team (alongside fellow EIU signee Amber Toenyes), for coaches Jen Stalhut & Brett Swip.
“When I think of Annie, I think of passion, work ethic and power,” Schuette said. “She's a 3rd baseman by trade, who we really think can compete for a spot anywhere on the field. She's a strong kid who hustles all the time and plays a very power-oriented game, driving the ball to all fields and out of the park. Annie has been coming to our camps for a while and it was only a matter of time before we got her in a Panther Uniform. She's a tough kid, a good worker and a great addition to EIU softball.”
Crouch earned all-conference, all-area and All Metro 3rd baseman honors, while her Waterloo squad captured the regional championship during her freshman campaign.
Off the field, she is a member of the National Honors Society, as well as SCOPE, SHOW, FCCLA, and Health Occupation Students Association.
Annie choose EIU “because after my research and visit, I found out that EIU is exactly what I was looking for… the size, location, academics and the atmosphere.”
Wants to play for Panther softball, “because EIU is my dream team… the coaches, players, and competition is everything I was looking for, and more… the coaches are very competitive and create a positive atmosphere at all times… after attending several EIU softball camps, and experiencing the coaching style of both coach Schuette and Dorey, I feel they will advance me in my softball and academic career and push me to do the best I can... I also realized that EIU's program is at a higher level of intensity than the other programs I was looking at… I am very happy with my decision to attend EIU and I can't wait to be a Panther next year.”
Kristen Hoppman
Shortstop | 5-8 | R/R
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin | Sun Prairie HS
... member of the Wisconsin Firebirds Travel Team, under head coach Todd Hansen.
“We are so pleased to have signed 'Hopp' as a Panther,” said Schuette. “She shares our vision to win championships, and beyond. She loves the game, talks the game and lives the game. She takes over a field in the first inning with both her glove and bat. She's a five tool player who will add a lot of elements to our program. We look to her to make an immediate impact on our team and bring out her natural born leadership.”
The past three years she's nabbed all-conference, all-district and MVP honors. She garnered All State kudos as a junior, and at shortstop and on the mound she led her Sun Prairie squad to a Wisconsin state runner-up finish.
Hoppman chose EIU, “because it felt like home… it's a family environment and I feel like they care about me.”
Wants to play for Panther softball, “because it's going to be a blast… it's going to challenge me, but I will still be able to have fun and enjoy the game that I love to play… it will definitely be the experience that I've always dreamed of for college.”
Ashlynne Paul
Catcher/Utility | 5-8 | R/R
Bloomington, Illinois | Normal Community West HS
... played for high school head coach April Schermann.
... also member of the Indiana Magic Gold Club Team, for skipper Kim Clay.
“Ashlynne is a blue collar worker who loves the strategy of the game,” says Schuette. “She's a very skilled and knowledgeable catcher who truly makes her pitchers look good, while also successful offensively by doing anything to help the team. She has good athleticism who can challenge in the middle infield or outfield when not catching. She's a great kid who everyone wants to be around both on-and-off the field. We look forward to another great prospect joining our program from the Bloomington-Normal area.”
Paul has been a starting varsity catcher or shortstop since she was a freshman at Normal Community West HS. She earned conference Offensive 'Player of the Year' honors, while also securing Third Team All State kudos.
She's led her high school squad to conference, regional and sectional championships, while Normal West dropped a tough pre-state tourney game to nearby Mattoon HS last year.
Off the field, Ashlynne is an IHSA scholastic Achievement Award honoree and named a Big 12 Conference Scholar athlete, while also a member of both the Concert and Symphonic Winds Band.
Paul chose EIU, “because I felt very comfortable while on campus… I visited many other campuses and none of them felt like EIU… the size of the school is just right and I like the fact that it is close to home, but far enough away to be on my own.”
Wants to play for Panther softball, “because I really love the coaches and their style… the current players are great and it seems like a very tight team… plus my recruiting group is awesome and I think we will fit right in… EIU is building a great tradition as one of the powerhouses in the OVC and I want to be a part of that tradition and continued success.”
Amber Toenyes
First Base/Pitcher | 5-10 | R/R
Moro, Illinois | Edwardsville HS
... member of Extreme Elite Club Team (alongside fellow EIU signee Annie Crouch), for coaches Jen Stalhut & Brett Swip.
“Toenyes is a great addition to the Panthers,” said Schuette. “She is an outstanding hitter who also is a great competitor and worker on the mound. Amber, who has been coming to our camps for some time, is a stud with the bat. She has the ability to scare opponents just with her warm up swings in the on-deck circle. We can't wait to have her in an EIU uniform, with her family in the stands watching her drive the ball out of the park.”
The last three seasons, Amber has earned all-conference honors as both a pitcher and first baseman at Edwardsville HS, while also a member of the volleyball squad.
Off the field, she's involved with both the National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society.
Toenyes chose EIU, “because I love the coaches and the family-feel that the school has… I have also heard of several teachers that attended EIU and all loved going to school there, as EIU's reputation for being an excellent teaching school was definitely a draw… I originally wanted to “go away” to school, but EIU is still close enough so that my family can attend the games.”
Wanting to play for Panther softball, “because I attended several camps there and just loved the coaches and players that were already on the team… the team has also been very competitive… it is great they are able to be so good and all seem to have so much fun playing the game that I also love to play.”
Jessica Weber
Outfielder | 5-6 | R/R
Waxhaw, North Carolina | Cuthbertson HS
... member of great travel team -- Lady Lightning Team Gold Miken -- for coach John Corn.
“Weber was a great find for Coach J.,” Schuette says. “She plays for a tremendous North Carolina travel team where she has very advanced outfield and offensive skills. Jess loves to lead both on the field, as well as in her clubs and organizations. She stands up for what she believes. She's very passionate about the game and the teammates around her. She is a great center fielder and hitter, and an even better person to join our Panther Softball program.”
Jessica is a four-year member of the varsity softball squad, where she's captured all-conference, all-district, All State, MVP, and team captain honors.
She's also a founder and president of the SAVE Club (Students Against Violence Everywhere). Her work with this new club, and the events that take part in, have helped her receive state and national recognition.
Also a high school scholar and honors student.
Weber chose EIU, “because I loved the campus and how family oriented and welcoming the coaches and girls are.”
Wants to play for Panther softball, “because it has been my dream to play college softball for several years now… EIU gave me this opportunity and all the pieces fit together perfectly… I can't imagine myself anywhere else.”
... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID
