Softball Lions added five during early period

Missouri Southern State University head softball coach Aron Potter has announced that five student-athletes signed with the Lion softball program during the November early signing period.

Local student-athletes Lindsay Bellm (Seneca, Mo.) and Chelsi Saia (Pittsburg, Kan./Hutchinson [Kan.] CC) along with Kelli Bax (Linn, Mo.), Emily Gove (Linn, Mo.) and Samantha Neely (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs HS) signed letters-of-intent to join the Lions in the 2006-07 academic year.

Potter, who is in her first year as Missouri Southern’s head softball coach, not only snagged a few local products for her signing class, but also picked up several that were coached by former All-Americans from the tradition-rich MSSU softball program. Bellm played for coach Shally Lundien at Seneca, while Bax and Gove are part of Renee (Livell) Heidger’s program at Linn High School. Lundien (1994-95) was a first-team All-America first baseman with the Lions in 1995. Heidger (1984-86) was a first-team All-America shortstop at Southern in 1986.

Bax, a 5-foot-4 pitcher/shortstop, won all-conference and all-district honors all four years with Heidger’s Wildcats at LHS. A four-year starter, she was an all-region honoree in 2004 and 2005, and added all-state accolades in 2005 as she helped Linn to a district title and a third place finish in the Missouri Class 2 state tournament. The daughter of Richard and Janet Bax, she’s also an all-district and all-conference performer in basketball and has been an all-district track & field athlete, too.

“We will look for Kelli to step in and help on both sides of the ball,” said Potter. “Her athleticism will be a great asset in the outfield and on the mound. Kelli had great success for her high school team with her outstanding change-up and we look forward to her joining our pitching staff.”

Bax’s catcher, Gove, is also coming to MSSU. The 5-foot-8 Gove earned all-state and all-region honors as a senior and was also an all-district and all-conference performer during her career at Linn. A four-year letterwinner in softball with Heidger’s Wildcats, the daughter of Larry Gove and Julie Backues has also been a three-year starter in basketball and has competed in track & field.

“Emily is an uncultivated source,” Potter said. “She will bring additional power to help protect current freshman Angie Turner, and she has the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field.”

The 5-foot-6 Bellm played several positions under Lundien at Seneca, but could see action primarlily at outfield and third base with the Lions. Bellm has won first-team all-conference and all-district accolades four times during her prep career and has added first-team all-region honors in each of the last two seasons. She helped SHS to at least a share of three Big 8 Conference titles and set 15 school records along the way. Among them are seasonal marks for batting average (.429), hits (39) and RBI (25).

“Lindsay is one of our first of hopefully many of the talented softball players in our area,” Potter said of the daughter of Dennis and Neina Bellm. “She is a very athletic young player who has been well coached. She will be looked upon to play some outfield and third base for us in 2007.”

At the other corner infield position, Neely, 5-foot-11, brings pop from the left side of the plate and figures to compete for playing time at first base next year.

“Samantha will bring power from the left side of the plate for that complete 1-2-3 punch in the middle of our lineup,” said Potter. “We will also look for her to learn and challenge current junior first baseman Racheal Bowen in 2007.”

Neely, whose mother, Teresa Neely, played basketball at Missouri Southern, is a four-time all-area performer on the diamond. She earned all-conference and all-district honors three times during her prep career. Neely, a four-year starter at first base, also was an all-metro player in 2004 and earned all-region in 2005 as she helped the Wildcats to a conference crown.

Neely, daughter of Brian and Teresa Neely, also plays basketball at Blue Springs High School where she is a three-year starter.

Another local addition is junior college transfer Chelsi Saia, a Frontenac (Kan.) High School graduate who is currently playing at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. The 5-foot-5 Saia was an honorable mention all-region shortstop last season at HCC and she was a four-year prep starter at FHS. Saia earned all-conference honors all four years at Frontenac and was an all-state pick as a senior. Saia, a niece of former MSSU football standout Rob Townsend and daughter of Vince and Kelley Saia, also played volleyball and basketball during her high school days.

“Chelsi will bring a wealth of experience to our young squad next year,” Potter said. “She’s a versatile player that can play anywhere, so she could see action at any of several spots for us.”

Missouri Southern is preparing to begin its first season under coach Potter, who joined the Lions after a three-year head coaching stint at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. MSSU, a winner in more than 64 percent of its softball games in 31 seasons, starts the 2006 season on Feb. 17 at the University of Central Arkansas Spring Clash.


	Dec. 1, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Softball Lions added five during early period New signees will join MSSU squad in 2006-07 Missouri Southern State University head softball coach Aron Potter has announced that five student-athletes signed with the Lion softball program during the November early signing period. Local student-athletes Lindsay Bellm (Seneca, Mo.) and Chelsi Saia (Pittsburg, Kan./Hutchinson [Kan.] CC) along with Kelli Bax (Linn, Mo.), Emily Gove (Linn, Mo.) and Samantha Neely (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs HS) signed letters-of-intent to join the Lions in the 2006-07 academic year. Potter, who is in her first year as Missouri Southern’s head softball coach, not only snagged a few local products for her signing class, but also picked up several that were coached by former All-Americans from the tradition-rich MSSU softball program. Bellm played for coach Shally Lundien at Seneca, while Bax and Gove are part of Renee (Livell) Heidger’s program at Linn High School. Lundien (1994-95) was a first-team All-America first baseman with the Lions in 1995. Heidger (1984-86) was a first-team All-America shortstop at Southern in 1986. Bax, a 5-foot-4 pitcher/shortstop, won all-conference and all-district honors all four years with Heidger’s Wildcats at LHS. A four-year starter, she was an all-region honoree in 2004 and 2005, and added all-state accolades in 2005 as she helped Linn to a district title and a third place finish in the Missouri Class 2 state tournament. The daughter of Richard and Janet Bax, she’s also an all-district and all-conference performer in basketball and has been an all-district track & field athlete, too. “We will look for Kelli to step in and help on both sides of the ball,” said Potter. “Her athleticism will be a great asset in the outfield and on the mound. Kelli had great success for her high school team with her outstanding change-up and we look forward to her joining our pitching staff.” Bax’s catcher, Gove, is also coming to MSSU. The 5-foot-8 Gove earned all-state and all-region honors as a senior and was also an all-district and all-conference performer during her career at Linn. A four-year letterwinner in softball with Heidger’s Wildcats, the daughter of Larry Gove and Julie Backues has also been a three-year starter in basketball and has competed in track & field. “Emily is an uncultivated source,” Potter said. “She will bring additional power to help protect current freshman Angie Turner, and she has the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field.” The 5-foot-6 Bellm played several positions under Lundien at Seneca, but could see action primarlily at outfield and third base with the Lions. Bellm has won first-team all-conference and all-district accolades four times during her prep career and has added first-team all-region honors in each of the last two seasons. She helped SHS to at least a share of three Big 8 Conference titles and set 15 school records along the way. Among them are seasonal marks for batting average (.429), hits (39) and RBI (25). “Lindsay is one of our first of hopefully many of the talented softball players in our area,” Potter said of the daughter of Dennis and Neina Bellm. “She is a very athletic young player who has been well coached. She will be looked upon to play some outfield and third base for us in 2007.” At the other corner infield position, Neely, 5-foot-11, brings pop from the left side of the plate and figures to compete for playing time at first base next year. “Samantha will bring power from the left side of the plate for that complete 1-2-3 punch in the middle of our lineup,” said Potter. “We will also look for her to learn and challenge current junior first baseman Racheal Bowen in 2007.” Neely, whose mother, Teresa Neely, played basketball at Missouri Southern, is a four-time all-area performer on the diamond. She earned all-conference and all-district honors three times during her prep career. Neely, a four-year starter at first base, also was an all-metro player in 2004 and earned all-region in 2005 as she helped the Wildcats to a conference crown. Neely, daughter of Brian and Teresa Neely, also plays basketball at Blue Springs High School where she is a three-year starter. Another local addition is junior college transfer Chelsi Saia, a Frontenac (Kan.) High School graduate who is currently playing at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. The 5-foot-5 Saia was an honorable mention all-region shortstop last season at HCC and she was a four-year prep starter at FHS. Saia earned all-conference honors all four years at Frontenac and was an all-state pick as a senior. Saia, a niece of former MSSU football standout Rob Townsend and daughter of Vince and Kelley Saia, also played volleyball and basketball during her high school days. “Chelsi will bring a wealth of experience to our young squad next year,” Potter said. “She’s a versatile player that can play anywhere, so she could see action at any of several spots for us.” Missouri Southern is preparing to begin its first season under coach Potter, who joined the Lions after a three-year head coaching stint at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. MSSU, a winner in more than 64 percent of its softball games in 31 seasons, starts the 2006 season on Feb. 17 at the University of Central Arkansas Spring Clash.