FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University softball head coach
Lesa Bonee adds nine newcomers, five freshmen and four junior- college transfers, to her roster for the upcoming 2013 season. These newcomers bring a depth of experience that will make an immediate impact for the Sharks.
The Sharks’ freshman roster is highlighted by the addition of Shelby Talon, Liz Spring and Amanda Johnson. Talon is expected to make an immediate impact in the outfield, while Spring and Johnson will provide depth throughout the playing field, both with the ability to play several positions.
Talon, who originally hails from Hamilton, Ohio, was recruited for her solid defensive abilities in the outfield. She brings to the table a strong and accurate arm with exceptional range. With the loss of First-Team All-SSC selection, Katie Kelton, Talon will be called on to fill that void from a defensive and leadership standpoint. Talon played at Spanish River HS, where she batted .420 her senior year. She showed great leadership abilities and was named captain and Defensive Player of the Year.
Spring, out of West Palm Beach, Fla., will be challenged for a key spot in the infield for the 2013 season. Originally a shortstop, she has the ability to hold down several positions in the dirt and will provide the Sharks a cushion with her versatility. She was an offensive standout at Palm Beach Gardens HS where she batted .419 with five home runs, seven doubles and 28 RBI as a senior. During that year she was also named first-team all-area and all-conference. At Palm Beach Gardens HS, she was part of two state championships in 2010 and 2011. She was recognized for her outstanding work as a student-athlete by being honored as a Bright Futures recipient.
Johnson, a Miramar, Fla. native, will also provide the coaching staff with several defensive options. Armed with cannon, Johnson will be worked hard on the left side of the infield as well as the outfield. She is also expected to be an offensive threat. Hailing from the NSU University School, Johnson was named first-team all-state selection and a first-team all-county pick by the Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald. She comes from a strong academic background and was awarded as the 2004 Florida Marlins Academic Scholar-Athlete.
The Sharks’ freshman class is capped off by the addition of infielders Rachael Weaver and Chrissy Tabulov.
Rachael Weaver is a corner player out of St. Petersburg, Fla. She will be worked at first and third and will also be tested as a hitter for the Sharks. Weaver played at Osceola Fundamental HS, where she boasted a solid .447 batting average with 22 RBI's her senior year. She was a first-team all-county selection at third base and received the award for being the top offensive player on her team.
In high school, she was part of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta with a 4.4 weighted GPA.
Chrissy Tabulov comes to NSU from Palm Harbor University HS and will be challenged at second base this year and possibly in the outfield. In high school she hit .456 and had at least 2 hits in each playoff game, while leading the team with 9 RBI's during the postseason. She was a Second-Team PCAC North County Honorable Mention and an All-County selection by the Tampa Bay Times. She was also a District Champion in 2009, 2010 and 2012. Academically, Tabulov was named an AP Scholar in high school.
“We are extremely excited about the possibilities with this freshman class,” said head coach Lesa Bonee’. “They are going to bring to the table so much versatility, depth and a fresh and excited outlook on the game. They’re a fun group with a ton of leadership potential. Almost more so than their athletic abilities, I’m ecstatic about the solid academic foundation that comes with all five of them. You will definitely see some freshmen on the field this year and we’re excited to see how they progress over the next four seasons.”
To complement the five freshmen that will add a wealth of possibility to the Sharks’ lineup, they round out their roster with more depth and experience with the addition of four junior- college transfers in two pitchers, Erika Garcia and Jennie Von Doellen, a catcher in Jordan Cook and a middle infielder in Samira Tanaka
.
Garcia, who hails from Pembroke Pines, Fla., will be an impact player for the Sharks on both sides of the ball. She is a lefty pitcher and first baseman known for her stoic presence in the circle as well as her offensive power numbers. Garcia played at Archbishop McCarthy HS where she played all four years of softball and two years of volleyball. She transferred to the Sharks from Santa Fe Community College, where she tallied twenty round-trippers, led her team as a sophomore with 38 RBI and recorded a 2.19 ERA.
Jennie von Doellen, who hails from Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, Canada, has had incredible success as pitcher. A transfer student from Trinity Valley Community College, she made first-team all–conference as both a freshman and sophomore and was also named a Scholar All-American. Jennie’s sole focus will be her performance on the mound and she is expected to share much of the workload with her fellow comrades in the circle.
Jordan Cook, a catcher from Fruitland Park, Fla., joins the Sharks after a two-year standout career at Seminole State College of Florida. Cook put up stellar numbers as a Raider, racking up 21 homeruns over two seasons. As a sophomore, she recorded a .353 average which included 12 doubles, one triple and seven round-trippers equating to a .525 slugging percentage. A wall behind the plate, she committed only 9 errors in 237 chances. Cook will see plenty of time behind the plate in 2013, potentially splitting time with junior Gina Bondarenko, who was a 2011 First-Team All-SSC selection. An offensive threat, even if not on defense, Cook’s bat is expected to be a necessity in the Sharks’ offensive lineup.
Tanaka, originally from Bastos,Sao Paulo, Brazil, came to NSU after a two-year stint at Miami-Dade where she was a two-year starter at second base. As a sophomore, Tanaka recorded a .401 batting average and committed only nine errors in 188 chances. She also ranked second on the nationally-renowned Miami-Dade team with 23 RBI. Tanaka will be expected to anchor the second base position and will also be worked at shortstop.
“These four young ladies are going to be absolutely fundamental to our success over the next two years,” said Bonee’. “We felt like we needed more experience and maturity in certain positions and I think we got it. We acquired a group of diligent and hard workers who are dedicated to finishing out the second half of their collegiate careers on a high note. Their poise and work ethic are going to set the bar for their teammates and they will each provide their own style of leadership. They’re going to catch onto our system quickly and I expect them each to play a significant role this year.”
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