(Above images courtesy of Bill Ackerman, Chicago Tribune, HarwellPhoto.com and Powhatan Today)

RADFORD, Va. – Radford University's softball program and sixth-year head coach Mickey Dean announced that six student-athletes have inked Letters-of-Intent to continue their playing careers with the Highlanders in 2012-13. Half of the class consists of in-state talent, along with two standouts from Illinois and one from Ohio.

Making up the contingent from Virginia is Whitney Davis (Onley, Va./Nandua), Christine Simon (Richmond, Va./James River) and Rachael Walters (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan). Joining the red and white from the Beverly Bandits club program is Casey Burns (Copley, Ohio/Copley), Becky Mantel (Riverside, Ill/Riverside-Brookfield) and Emily Naegele (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest).

“This year's signing class has a great deal of promise, with power, speed, and pitching,” said Dean.

Casey Burns (1B – 5-7 - R/R)

Burns' File: Garnered First-Team All-District and All-League honors as a junior… Copley's two-time Defensive Player of the Year and team MVP… 2011 Offensive Player of the Year for the Indians… Earned second-team all-league in 2009 and 2010 and honorable mention all-district as a sophomore… Also lettered in soccer.

Dean on Burns: “While watching Casey play over the last year we noticed something very important. She is a very consistent player, who seems to hit very well in clutch situations. Her glove play will help solidify the infield at first base. We look forward to her arrival on campus.”





Whitney Davis (SS – 5-11 - R/R)

Davis' File: Three-sport standout at Nandua… Two-time all-state selection, including first-team honors in 2010… First-team all-district and region during sophomore and junior campaigns… Top slugger in the Eastern Shore District the past three seasons… Garnered three all-district first-team honors in volleyball and two more in basketball… Plans to studying Elementary Education at Radford.

Dean on Davis: “Whitney is a native Virginian who will add even more power to our lineup. Whitney has been an outstanding shortstop for her high school and travel ball teams. Whitney impressed us at camp and we immediately pursued her.”



Becky Mantel (OF/UT – 5-4 – R/R)

Mantel's File: Named to Suburban Life's All-Area team the past three seasons… Class 3A All-State team selection in 2011… Batted .478, slugged .826 and posted a .580 on base percentage with 39 runs, 29 RBI and 13 doubles in 2011… Two-time Metro Suburban All-Conference honoree… NFCA MaxPreps Player of the Week (5/15/11)… 2010 and 2011 Chicago Sun-Times Top 100 Players… Former high school teammate of current Highlander sophomore Jesse Hutchens… Plans to study occupational therapy at Radford.

Dean on Mantel: “When you first see Becky you know she has power, and she does. More impressive is her ability to cover the outfield and her arm strength. We are looking for an immediate impact from Becky.”



Emily Naegele (C – 5-8 – R/R)

Naegele's File: 2011 Southtown Star South Suburban Blue Conference Player of the Year… Posted a .634 batting average, 1.178 slugging percentage, 11 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 56 RBI, 47 runs and 22 stolen bases as a junior… Behind the dish, she threw out 71 percent of runners attempting to steal… Chicago Tribune's Top 35 Players to Watch in 2011… Chicago Tribune/WGN9 Athlete of the Month for April 2011… All-state, all-area and all-conference selections during sophomore and junior seasons… Chicago-Sun Times Top 100 Softball Players in 2010 and 2011… Keyed Oak Forest to a 2009 Class 3A State Championship… Former battery-mate of current Highlander freshman pitcher Emily Norton.

Dean on Naegele: “Emily impressed us the first time we saw her with her power, strong arm behind the plate, and speed on the bases. Emily has a very promising career ahead of her.”




Christine “Scoop” Simon (OF – 5-4 – L/L)

Simon's File: 2011 first-team all-district and all-region.

Dean on Simon: “Scoop is another hitter with power, but she is from the left side and we look forward to making her a triple threat hitter. Her aggressive play in the outfield caught our immediate attention. Scoop will be a great addition to our program.”










Rachael Walters (P – 5-9 – L/L)

Walters' File: 2011 Region A Pitcher of the Year and first-team all-state selection… Posted a 19-2 record in 2011 with a 0.49 ERA and 196 strikeouts… 2010 and 2011 district pitcher of the year as well first-team all-region and all-metro.

Dean on Walters: “We have had our eye on Rachael for a couple of years. While at camp this summer we really saw that she has the ability to be a dominant pitcher as a lefty. We look forward to Rachael's arrival and watching her progress into that dominant lefty power pitcher.”