Nov. 13, 2009
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech head coach Sarah Dawson announced Wednesday that she has signed five Texas high school players to national letters of intent to play next season for the Lady Techster softball program.
The five newest LA Tech softballers are infielder Emma Eichman (Fossil Ridge HS), infielder Katelynn Hill (Hebron HS), pitcher Erin Kipp (Bullard HS), outfielder Cassie Krieg (Sonora HS) and catcher/third baseman Tricia Van Winkle (Coppell HS).
"All in all this is a very strong, athletic and versatile class," Dawson said. "Each one of these girls comes to this program with a wealth of experience and success at the highest levels of club ball. In addition to the accomplishments these young ladies have had on the field, each one of them has also made their mark in the classroom. I am very proud and excited about this class."
Eichman is a three-sport star from Ft. Worth that has lettered for four years on the varsity softball, volleyball and basketball teams at Fossil Ridge High School. She has been named all-district in all three sports while earning the District 5-5A Defensive Player of the Year award in basketball.
"With Amberly (Waits) graduating, we have some big shoes to fill at shortstop," Dawson said. "I know Emma has the physical tools to come in and get the job done."
Eichman helped lead the Texas Glory Gold team to back-to-back championships in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Qualifier for 18U Gold Nationals in 2008 and 2009. She currently plays for the Fusion and coach Slade Maloney.
Hill lettered at Hebron High School where she played four years for coach Sun Dunn at the Hawks. The three-time team captain was named all-district three years in a row and was the co-Offensive Player of the Year as a junior on her team.
"Katelynn has great energy," Dawson said. "I know she will be a sparkplug for this team. Her personality is a must-have on any team. She has great range and hands, and she will be able to contribute to our middle infield."
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Hill, who also played volleyball in high school, plays travel ball for Kent Weddle and the Texas Glory and helped lead the team to the ASA Nationals in the summer of 2009 and the Southern Nationals in the summer of 2008.
Kipp will come to LA Tech after a stellar career at Bullard where she helped lead the program to their first ever district title (back-to-back in 2008 and 2009) and the program's first ever playoff win (in 2007). In three years, she has recorded a mark of 75-15 in the circle with a miniscule 0.38 earned run average and 1,007 strikeouts.
"Erin's addition to our pitching rotation will be a huge one," Dawson said. "She will complement our current pitchers very well. She already has great command and control of her pitches, and she has maturity beyond her years in the circle."
Kipp has earned numerous honors, including the District 14-3A Newcomer of the Year and the all-East Texas Area Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. She was also named the District 14-3A MVP as a sophomore and has been all-state three times.
Krieg joins the Lady Techster softball team as the outfielder reunites with her older sister Meghan, who is an all-WAC pitcher for LA Tech. The three-time first team all-state selection has helped guide the Lady Broncos to a pair of district titles while also earning the San Angelo Standard Times All-West Texas Newcomer of the Year award in 2007.
"We are excited to have another Krieg on our roster," Dawson said. "Cassie brings a completely different skill set to the field. She is a strong outfielder and is a real presence at the plate. It has been fun to watch Cassie grow into a great player, and I look forward to the experience of coaching her in college."
Despite missing the majority of her sophomore season with an ankle injury, Krieg has recorded a .489 career batting average with 87 hits, 19 doubles, 11 triples and 65 runs scored. She is also a two-time all-district selection in basketball at Sonora.
Van Winkle has lettered four years for coach Katie Krug at Coppell High School where she helped lead the Cowgirls to the District 6-5A area championship and the regional championship.
"Tricia is a versatile athlete who will get some time at both catcher and at third base," Dawson said. "She has a proven to be a consistent hitter in high school and is developing the power part of her game."
She was named first team all-district as a junior as well as her team and District 6-5A Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman.
Louisiana Tech has recorded back-to-back winning seasons, including capturing the 2008 Western Athletic Conference Tournament title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament where they defeated SEC foe Auburn twice before falling to eventual national runner-up Texas A&M.
Emma Eichman Bio
5-10, Shortstop, HS
Ft. Worth, Texas (Fossil Ridge HS)
High School: Lettered four years on the varsity team for coach Laura Moore and coach Brent Achorn at Fossil Ridge High School in Texas ... Named second team all-district as a sophomore for the Lady Panthers ... Also lettered four years on the basketball and volleyball teams at Fossil Ridge ... Three-time all-district in basketball, including being named the District 5-5A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior ... Two-time team MVP in basketball ... Three-time all-district in volleyball ... Named academic all-district three times in volleyball and basketball and twice in softball ... Member of the Health Occupation of Students of America and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes ... Travel Ball: Plays for the Fusion and coach Slade Maloney ... Helped the team qualify for the 18U Gold Nationals with the Texas Glory Gold team that placed 33rd in 2008 and 13th in 2009 ... Helped the team win back-to-back championships in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Qualifier for 18U Gold Nationals ... Personal: Full name is Emma Alise Eichman ... Daughter of Ramona and Dale Ball and Donald and Mary Eichman ... Has two sisters, Kristina Eichman and Tammie Farris ... Born Jan. 24, 1992.
Emma Eichman Quote "I really like the coaching staff and the players as they were all very friendly and helpful. I liked the size of the school; it was just perfect for me as I feel like I will be someone and not just a number. The professor I met on my visit was very encouraging, giving me ideas of the different avenues I could take on my career choices. I was also impressed by the academic programs at the school."
Katelynn Hill Bio
5-4, INF, HS
Dallas, Texas (Hebron HS)
High School: Lettered four years for coach Sue Dunn and the Hebron High School Hawks ... Was team captain her final three years in high school ... Named second team All-District 6-5A as a freshman and sophomore and honorable mention all-district as a junior ... Was the co-Offensive Player of the Year for her high school as a junior ... Played volleyball as a freshman ... Travel Ball: Played for coach Kent Weddle and the Texas Glory ... Helped lead the team to the ASA Nationals in the summer of 2009 and the Southern Nationals in 2008 ... Personal: Full name is Katelynn Ann Hill ... Daughter of MaryJo and Mason Hill ... Has one sister, Erinn ... Born Aug. 8, 1991.
Katelynn Hill Quote "Louisiana Tech provides the Division I experience, including incredible school spirit and tradition. It also provides great opportunities while allowing you to feel at home. That's what I wanted in a university."
Erin Kipp Bio
5-7, Pitcher, HS
Bullard, Texas (Bullard HS)
High School: Lettered four years for coaches Billy Holcomb and Shelly Ritch at Bullard High School in Texas ... Helped lead the Panthers to the District 14-3A title as a sophomore (the first in school history) and the District 17-3A title as a junior ... Also led the program to its first ever playoff win as a freshman ... Reached the regional quarterfinals as a sophomore and junior ... Named the District 14-3A Newcomer of the Year as a freshman while also earning the all-East Texas Newcomer of the Year ... Named third team all-state as a freshman ... Named team MVP as a freshman and junior ... Named District 14-3A MVP as a sophomore ... Named All-East Texas MVP as a sophomore ... Named second team all-state as a sophomore ... Named first team all-district and all-East Texas as a junior ... Named honorable mention all-state as a junior ... Named academic all-district three times ... Has recorded a mark of 75-15 in the circle during her three years with a 0.38 ERA and 1,007 strikeouts ... Holds every school pitching record ... Played volleyball as a freshman ... Member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, the Spanish Club and the Science Club ... Travel Ball: Plays for coach Dan Adkins and the Texas Glory Gold ... Personal: Full name is Erin Ellyce Kipp ... Daughter of Steve and Leanne Kipp ... Has one sister, Alayna ... Born Sept. 10, 1991.
Erin Kipp Quote
"I feel like Louisiana Tech has a tradition of winning and a great coaching staff. It will also provide me with a unique opportunity to play college softball with my sister."
Cassie Krieg Bio
5-6, OF, HS
Sonora, Texas (Sonora HS)
High School: Lettered four years for coach Thomas Hanson and coach Erika Kirkland at Sonora High School in Texas ... Helped lead the Lady Broncos to the District 8-2A title in 2007 and 2008 and the area playoffs ... Named first team all-district in 2007 and 2009 (missed the majority of the 2008 season with an injury) ... Named first team all-state 2A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association in 2007, 2008 and 2009 ... Named first team all-state by the Texas Sportswriters Association in 2009 ... Named the 2007 San Angelo Standard Times All-West Texas Team Newcomer of the Year ... Named to the 2009 San Angelo Standard Times All-West Texas first team as an outfielder ... Earned the Sonora High School Fighting Heart Award in 2009 ... During her high school career, she has recorded a .489 batting average with 87 hits, 19 doubles, 11 triples and three home runs ... Also scored 65 runs while recording 51 RBI ... Played basketball for four years ... Named second team all-district in 2007 and first team all-district in 2008 ... Member of the National Honor Society and Pier Assistant Leadership Service (PALS) ... Travel Ball: Plays for the Avengers Revolution and coaches Stacy Segal, Tony Fitzgerald, Blake Burrows and Leslie Klemansky ... Personal: Full name is Cassie Lauren Krieg ... Daughter of Michael and Michelle Krieg ... Has one sister, Meghan who is an all-WAC pitcher for the Lady Techsters, and one brother, Cade ... Her father played baseball at UTA from 1981 through 1985 ... Born Dec. 2, 1991.
Cassie Krieg Quote "I love the team, the coaches, the university and Ruston. I'll enjoy traveling to the west coast and Hawaii for conference games. I'll also have the opportunity to play and live with my sister, Meghan."
Tricia Van Winkle Bio
5-7, C/3B, HS
Coppell, Texas (Coppell HS)
High School: Lettered four years for coach Katie Krug at Coppell High School in Texas ... Helped lead the Cowgirls to the district area championship as a sophomore and junior and the Region 1 quarterfinals both years ... Named the District 6-5A Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and first team all-district as a junior ... Travel Ball: Played for Coach Duane Culpepper and the Texas Elite Gold team ... Personal: Full name is Tricia Kaylean Van Winkle ... Daughter of Tony and Jalene Van Winkle ... Has two brothers, Anthony and Travis, and two sisters, Amber and Alicia ... Born June 12, 1992.
Tricia Van Winkle Quote
"I like the small-town feeling of Ruston. It's something I will love."
