Razorback softball inks five for 2009-10

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas softball team has announced the signing of five student-athletes who will begin their collegiate careers during the 2009-10 season. The future Razorbacks are Courtney Breault (Roseville, Calif.), Stephanie Brewer (Broken Arrow, Okla.), Chelsea Cohen (Sparks, Nev.), Hope McLemore (Ringling, Okla.) and Amanda Summerford (Fayetteville, Ark.).“We are really excited about this class,” head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “It’s definitely a class that is going to fill our needs in the infield and pitching. They can all swing the bat, which will provide us with some offensive punch along with the pitching that we need. This class provides depth for our pitching staff, middle infield, and corners.”

Courtney BreaultRoseville, Calif. (Woodcreek High School)

Courtney Breault is an infielder for Woodcreek High School in Roseville, Calif. Last season, she helped Woodcreek to a second-place finish in the Sac-Joaquin section and a No. 2 state ranking for Division 2. Breault is a two-time selection to the All-League first team and was named to the Press Tribune All-Area team as a sophomore. That same year, Woodcreek won the Sierra Foothill League Championship and finished third in the Sac-Joaquin section. During her freshman year, she helped Woodcreek to a No. 13 national high school ranking.

Breault plays summer ball for the California Breeze, a team she has been part of since she was nine. This past summer, she led the Breeze 18 Gold summer team in batting average (.421), hits (40) and runs batted in. In 2007, Breault batted .379 in helping the Breeze to a seventh-place finish at the 16U ASA Nationals. Her team finished 33rd in the 14U ASA Nationals in 2005.

Pinkerton on Breault: “Courtney comes out of a good gold program in California. They’ve been successful on the national level. She’s a versatile athlete and has been recruited by many different schools. She’s going to provide offensive punch and solid defensive skills with a lot of range in the middle infield. She swings the bat well and I see her in the lower to middle part of the order, but could be three to five type hitter early in her career.”

Stephanie BrewerBroken Arrow, Okla. (Broken Arrow)

Stephanie Brewer capped her high school career by helping Broken Arrow High School capture the 2008 Oklahoma 6A State Championship. She belted a home run in the championship game. It was the second state championship for Brewer as the Tigers also claimed the 2006 title. Along with being a two-time all-conference selection, Brewer was a 2008 all-state and all-region first team member. This season she batted .392, knocked in 27 runs, had three triples, 14 doubles and four home runs. At first base, Brewer posted a .988 fielding percentage. She helped Broken Arrow set four high school records with most wins, most consecutive wins, most doubles and most home runs in one season.

Brewer is a member of the Attack 18U Gold summer team that qualified for Gold Nationals. The team had a first-place finish at the Heartland Gold qualifier and was selected to play the Chinese national team that went on to the Olympic Games. The Attack turned in a fourth-place finish at the 2007 AFA Nationals.

Pinkerton on Brewer:“Stephanie comes out of a storied program in Oklahoma on the high school level that has won 10 state titles. She swings the bat well, has gap power, is very solid defensively, and will provide depth in the infield.”

Chelsea CohenSparks, Nev. (Reed High School)

Chelsea Cohen, a four-year varsity starter for Reed High School, is a pitcher out of Sparks, Nev. Last season, she helped lead Reed to a runner-up result at the state tournament. For her efforts, she was named to the all-state and all-league first teams. Cohen has been named a first-team all-league pitcher three times heading into her senior season. Her first all-state honor came as a sophomore, and as a freshman, she earned second-team recognition.

This past summer, Cohen played for the Sorcerers Gold. The squad notched a first-place finish at the Louisville Slugger Tournament in Boulder, Colo. She has been part of two teams that won the Nevada ASA State Tournament, the NV Lightning in 2007 and the American Attack in 2006. Her NV Lightning team finished fourth at the 16U ASA Nationals and the American Attack squad advanced to 14U ASA Nationals play.

Pinkerton on Cohen: “Chelsea brings an impressive resume. On her high school team, she is the three or four hitter and pitcher. We first saw her when she led her team to fourth at the 16-under Nationals. We think she is going to be an excellent addition to our staff. She also plays first base and swings the bat well.”

Hope McLemoreRingling, Okla. (Ringling)

Hope McLemore was a vital piece of the Ringling High School run to the 2008 Oklahoma 2A State Championship. In the title game, she had a 16-strikeout, shutout performance in the circle and scored the only run of the game. McLemore was selected a member of the all-state team. Following her senior season, McLemore was honored with the Ferguson Jenkins Award, which is given to the top five baseball and softball players in the state of Oklahoma. During her prep career, she is a three-time All-Area Pitcher of the Year and a four-time member of the All-Area All Star Team.

In each of McLemore’s seasons, Ringling advanced to at least the state semifinals. McLemore has been named to the Daily Oklahoman Player Watch and Coaches Aid Hot lists since she was a freshman. During her four-year career in the circle, McLemore totaled more than 1,500 strikeouts and sits in third place on the state of Oklahoma’s all-time high school record list. This past summer, she helped lead Slade Maloney’s Texas Fusion Gold team to an appearance at Nationals.

Pinkerton on McLemore“Hope obviously brings impressive credentials. She’s been impressive to watch in high school and summer ball. She handles pressure well and is a fierce competitor with a strong drive to win. She’s also an athlete that can play multiple positions and hit for power.”

Amanda SummerfordFayetteville, Ark. (Fayetteville)

Amanda Summerford is a pitcher from Fayetteville High School that helped lead the Bulldogs to the 7A West Conference Championship and a runner-up result at the 2008 Arkansas 7A State Tournament. Summerford was also named to the 2008 Louisville Slugger/NFCA High School All-South Central second team. As a sophomore, Summerford was the Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year after leading Fayetteville to the 2007 Arkansas 7A State Championship, the second state title of her career; the Bulldogs were the 2006 Arkansas 5A State champions. She is a two-time all-state honoree and has twice been named to the all-conference first team.

As a member of the Oark Rebels 18 Gold, she batted .405 and had a .435 on-base percentage. In 2006, the Rebels U16 team posted a 48-7 record, finished fourth at the USFA World Series and claimed a second-place result at the Arkansas USSSA Tournament. Summerford also played for the Southwest Missouri Flames. She helped lead the team to the title at the USSSA Missouri Mid-State Tournament and a second-place finish in the USSSA U15 World Tournament.

Pinkerton on Summerford“Amanda is an overall athlete because when she’s not pitching, she can play outfield or a corner. She has the potential to hit for power. We are really ecstatic to have our third Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year. She brings with her a winning attitude coming for a top program in the state, winning two of the three last state titles.”