Nov. 11, 2009

OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University softball program has signed four high school seniors to national letters-of-intent, head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly announced on Wednesday, the first day of the fall signing period. Kirstie Fehrenbach (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty), Brandi Hernandez (Bartlett, Ill./Elgin), Kayla Ledbetter (Gahanna, Ohio/Gahanna-Lincoln) and Paige Myers (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) will take the field for the RedHawks during the 2011 season.

“We are thrilled to announce the class of 2014 signees for our softball program,” said Schoenly. “All four of these young ladies fit the mold of the type of athletes we try to recruit here. They are academically driven, competitively fierce ladies with impeccable character. Having seen each of them develop through our camp program was especially rewarding. We look forward to adding them to the family.”

Fehrenbach is an infielder who has started every game the past three seasons for Olentangy Liberty High School. She also plays with the Ohio Lady Lasers Aqua Summer Club Team. As a junior in 2009, she hit .510 with 24 runs scored and 20 stolen bases. She led the team to a Central District Central Championship and was named an Ohio Underclass All-Star in 2008 and 2009. She was named honorable mention All-State in 2009 and All-District in both 2008 and 2009. Fehrenbach has been the Patriots’ Team MVP the past two years and was named to the Ohio Capital Conference First Team in all three of her seasons.

“Kirstie is an infielder that uses her speed and quickness to cover ground,” said Schoenly. “She will bat from the left side and use a combination of short game and power to add to our offense. Having seen Kirstie play over the last two years, it was evident that she has a tremendous understanding of the intricacies of the game which is especially important at second base.”

Hernandez is a speedy outfielder who led her club team the Beverly Bandits to the national tournament last year in Sioux Falls, S.D. She is a three-year letterwinner at Elgin High School who stole 28 bases in 29 attempts last season as a junior. She also hit .373 on the year. Hernandez has been timed at 2.6 seconds from home to first base and 10.9 seconds rounding the entire diamond.

“Although Brandi is small in stature, she is going to bring big things to Miami,” said Schoenly. “She will be a base-stealer and run-producer for our team and cover the outfield with her quickness. Batting from the left side, her role will be to create chaos for our opponent’s defense and use her spunk and grit to get around to score."

Ledbetter is a three-year letterwinner for Gahanna Lincoln High School. She also plays with the Ohio Classics club team. As a junior in 2009, she hit .629, with seven home runs and 41 walks. For that performance she was named First Team All-State as well as First Team All-Metro and First Team All-Ohio Capital Conference. She is a three-time District Player of the Year.

“Kayla is a kid with a huge personality and I foresee her growing into a leadership role here through the years,” said Schoenly. “She completely enjoys the game of softball and will bring a competitive drive to our squad. Not only will she help by catching, she will play outfield as well. We expect her to hit for power and foresee her coming through in clutch situations.”

Myers has been one of the top pitchers in Ohio the past three seasons at Grove City High School. She was named First Team All-Ohio Player of the Year by the Columbus Dispatch in 2008 (alongside current RedHawk pitcher Jessica Simpson). Despite missing time late in the year due to an injury in 2009, she was once again named First Team All-Ohio. Myers led her club team the Ohio Nightmare to NSA and ASA State Championships in 2007 and 2008. She led Grove City to the state semifinals in 2008.

“Paige is an extremely hard working, hard throwing pitcher,” said Schoenly. “She is an athlete that enjoys a challenge and wants to rise to the top of her game here at Miami. We believe Paige was clearly among the top pitchers in the graduating class of 2010 in the nation! With the graduation of our two senior pitchers we expect Paige to get innings right away as a freshmen and look forward to seeing her development throughout her years here.”

While these athletes won’t begin play until 2011, the 2010 RedHawks begin their season Feb. 12 when they participate in the Middle Tennessee State Tournament.

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