Softball team adds five signees for 2005

Missouri Southern’s versatility and depth on the softball diamond in 2005 should be positives.

Head coach Jennifer Jimerson announced today at five players have signed national letters-of-intent with the Lions softball program for the 2004-05 academic year.

Freshmen Jamie Blalock (Broken Arrow, Okla.), Jessie Rew (Harrisonville, Mo.), J.T. Taylor (Springfield, Mo.) and Ashton Turner (Kansas City, Mo.), along with transfer Trish Masters (Rowlett, Texas), have announced their intentions to continue their softball careers with the Lions.

“This is a very talented and versatile recruiting class,” Jimerson said. “We think they can help elevate the program to the next level as well as provide depth. We are very excited to have each of them on board for 2005.”

Blalock is a 5-foot-2 utility player extrodinaire with experience at almost every position. She played second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield over the last three years.

“Jamie’s an extremely talented and athletic kid with experience all over the diamond,” Jimerson said. “Because of that, she’ll be able to challenge for a position quickly. She’s a natural hitter with the ability to hit for power. Overall, she’s an aggressive player, both offensively and defensively.”

Blalock was a four-year starter for the Broken Arrow High School Tigers, who claimed Oklahoma Class 6A state titles in 2001, 2002 and 2003. She earned All-Frontier Conference honors as a senior and was honorable mention all-region after posting a .351 batting average.

Blalock, the daughter of Lewis and Vickie Blalock, plans to major in health promotion & wellness.

Taylor, from Springfield’s Glendale High School, is a four-time all-conference and all-district performer and a two-time all-state selection. In 2003, Taylor was a second-team all-state choice as a second baseman and also earned Gatorade Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. She captured All-Ozark Conference, all-district and all-region accolades and was selected to the Springfield News-Leader All-Ozarks Team. Taylor played chiefly at second and third base.

“J.T. is small (4-11) but athletic and strong,” Jimerson said. “She has good speed and will help us out in the infield or outfield. She has a lot of power for someone her size.”

During her career at Glendale, Taylor totaled 96 RBI, 15 doubles, 16 triples and three home runs. She helped Glendale reach the state quarterfinals in 2001 and 2002. Playing for the Southside Stunners, she helped her club win the Class B state regional title in 2002. As a freshman in 2000, Taylor played at Kickapoo High School before transferring to GHS.

Taylor is also a competitive weightlifter. She placed third in the Junior Nationals in February.

The daughter of Thomas and Donna Taylor, she hopes to major in health promotion & wellness.

A four-year letter winner in softball for the Wildcats of Coach Kari Bliss, Rew was selected Harrionsville’s most valuable player in 2003 and was the team captain. She earned all-conference and all-district accolades in 2003 after receiving second-team honors the two previous years.

A solid fielder, the 5-foot-4 Rew was voted Harrisonville’s defensive player of the year in 2001, 2002 and 2003. She helped Harrisonville finish second in district play in 2002.

“Jessie has played mostly at shortstop over her career. She’s very athletic with a good arm and good speed. She’s a line drive hitter-type who can get things started. She has struggled with some arm problems but is a gifted defensive player.”

Also the Wildcats’ basketball defensive player of the year in 2001, she is the daughter of Todd Rew and Bama Robinson.

Masters, 5-foot-9, will be a junior for the Lions in 2005. She’s currently leading Texarkana College, the No. 14-ranked team in NJCAA Division I, with a .400 batting average, 70 hits, 10 stolen bases, four triples and 38 runs.

In 2003, Masters was named to the Region 14 All-Star team after leading Texarkana in steals and singles. The team finished second in conference play and advanced to the regional tournament.

“Trish is going to provide several elements that we did not have on the team this year,” Jimerson said. “She’s a left-handed slap hitter with very good speed. She’s leading her junior college team in hitting right now, and they’re a team that’s playing very well. She’s got a strong arm and plays shortstop right now, but also has outfield experience.”

At Rowlett (Texas) High School, Masters lettered all four years in softball and was a two-time defensive player of the year. She was also a first-team all-district selection.

She is the daughter of Cindy Masters and plans to major in health promotion & wellness.

Turner is a three-year starter for the Raytown High School Blue Jays of coach Stacey Turnere. She has captured all-conference honors both at catcher and at second base and was a three-year letterwinner.

She is the daughter of Richard and Brenda Turner and the sister of current MSSU softball assistant coach Crystal Turner, who played collegiately at NCAA Division I Ohio University.

“Ashton will provide power in the lineup for us. She’s a quick corner player with experience behind the plate. We think she can come in and challenge for a starting spot as a freshman.”

The five latest additions join two other student-athletes, Megan Baker (Belton, Mo.) and Taylor Atkins (Kalamazoo, Mich.) who signed with the Lions during the November early-signing period.


	May 5, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Softball team adds five signees for 2005 Four freshmen and a transfer heading to Southern for softball Missouri Southern’s versatility and depth on the softball diamond in 2005 should be positives. Head coach Jennifer Jimerson announced today at five players have signed national letters-of-intent with the Lions softball program for the 2004-05 academic year. Freshmen Jamie Blalock (Broken Arrow, Okla.), Jessie Rew (Harrisonville, Mo.), J.T. Taylor (Springfield, Mo.) and Ashton Turner (Kansas City, Mo.), along with transfer Trish Masters (Rowlett, Texas), have announced their intentions to continue their softball careers with the Lions. “This is a very talented and versatile recruiting class,” Jimerson said. “We think they can help elevate the program to the next level as well as provide depth. We are very excited to have each of them on board for 2005.” Blalock is a 5-foot-2 utility player extrodinaire with experience at almost every position. She played second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield over the last three years. “Jamie’s an extremely talented and athletic kid with experience all over the diamond,” Jimerson said. “Because of that, she’ll be able to challenge for a position quickly. She’s a natural hitter with the ability to hit for power. Overall, she’s an aggressive player, both offensively and defensively.” Blalock was a four-year starter for the Broken Arrow High School Tigers, who claimed Oklahoma Class 6A state titles in 2001, 2002 and 2003. She earned All-Frontier Conference honors as a senior and was honorable mention all-region after posting a .351 batting average. Blalock, the daughter of Lewis and Vickie Blalock, plans to major in health promotion & wellness. Taylor, from Springfield’s Glendale High School, is a four-time all-conference and all-district performer and a two-time all-state selection. In 2003, Taylor was a second-team all-state choice as a second baseman and also earned Gatorade Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. She captured All-Ozark Conference, all-district and all-region accolades and was selected to the Springfield News-Leader All-Ozarks Team. Taylor played chiefly at second and third base. “J.T. is small (4-11) but athletic and strong,” Jimerson said. “She has good speed and will help us out in the infield or outfield. She has a lot of power for someone her size.” During her career at Glendale, Taylor totaled 96 RBI, 15 doubles, 16 triples and three home runs. She helped Glendale reach the state quarterfinals in 2001 and 2002. Playing for the Southside Stunners, she helped her club win the Class B state regional title in 2002. As a freshman in 2000, Taylor played at Kickapoo High School before transferring to GHS. Taylor is also a competitive weightlifter. She placed third in the Junior Nationals in February. The daughter of Thomas and Donna Taylor, she hopes to major in health promotion & wellness. A four-year letter winner in softball for the Wildcats of Coach Kari Bliss, Rew was selected Harrionsville’s most valuable player in 2003 and was the team captain. She earned all-conference and all-district accolades in 2003 after receiving second-team honors the two previous years. A solid fielder, the 5-foot-4 Rew was voted Harrisonville’s defensive player of the year in 2001, 2002 and 2003. She helped Harrisonville finish second in district play in 2002. “Jessie has played mostly at shortstop over her career. She’s very athletic with a good arm and good speed. She’s a line drive hitter-type who can get things started. She has struggled with some arm problems but is a gifted defensive player.” Also the Wildcats’ basketball defensive player of the year in 2001, she is the daughter of Todd Rew and Bama Robinson. Masters, 5-foot-9, will be a junior for the Lions in 2005. She’s currently leading Texarkana College, the No. 14-ranked team in NJCAA Division I, with a .400 batting average, 70 hits, 10 stolen bases, four triples and 38 runs. In 2003, Masters was named to the Region 14 All-Star team after leading Texarkana in steals and singles. The team finished second in conference play and advanced to the regional tournament. “Trish is going to provide several elements that we did not have on the team this year,” Jimerson said. “She’s a left-handed slap hitter with very good speed. She’s leading her junior college team in hitting right now, and they’re a team that’s playing very well. She’s got a strong arm and plays shortstop right now, but also has outfield experience.” At Rowlett (Texas) High School, Masters lettered all four years in softball and was a two-time defensive player of the year. She was also a first-team all-district selection. She is the daughter of Cindy Masters and plans to major in health promotion & wellness. Turner is a three-year starter for the Raytown High School Blue Jays of coach Stacey Turnere. She has captured all-conference honors both at catcher and at second base and was a three-year letterwinner. She is the daughter of Richard and Brenda Turner and the sister of current MSSU softball assistant coach Crystal Turner, who played collegiately at NCAA Division I Ohio University. “Ashton will provide power in the lineup for us. She’s a quick corner player with experience behind the plate. We think she can come in and challenge for a starting spot as a freshman.” The five latest additions join two other student-athletes, Megan Baker (Belton, Mo.) and Taylor Atkins (Kalamazoo, Mich.) who signed with the Lions during the November early-signing period.