NKU signee Jen Hoff ropes a base hit for St. Henry during the 2010 KHSAA 9th Region playoffs. (Photo courtesy James Weber/Recorder Newspapers)
Early signee release
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University softball team has signed four more players to national letters of intent for the 2011 season. Ariana Gei, Jennifer Hoff, Dana Jarboe and Natalie Papi will suit up for the Norse this coming spring.
They join Dee Dee Davis, Kari Lang, Mandi McQueen and Rachel Kohlman, who all signed in the November early signing period, in bringing the 2011 signing class to eight for head coach
Kathy Stewart.
Gei, a 2010 graduate of Eastern High School in Louisville, Ky., turned in a blistering .358 batting average with 21 doubles and 36 runs batted in. This season, Gei helped lead the Eagles to a 26-10 record and a berth in the 7th Region championship game. She was selected to the 2010 all-tournament team as well as being named a two-time 7th Region all-star.
Hoff, a 2010 graduate of St. Henry District High School in Erlanger, Ky., took the Crusaders to a school-best 24-5 record and a spot in the 9th Region tournament. Hoff, a switch-hitting outfielder, carried a .420 batting average into the postseason as St. Henry's leadoff hitter. During her junior season, Hoff was named to the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference All-Conference team.
Jarboe, a 2010 graduate of Franklin County High School in Frankfort, Ky., helped lead the Flyers to a 24-15 record and a spot in the 11th Region championship game. Jarboe was also named to the 11th Region all-tournament team after being named the top player in all of the region before the season. During her junior year, Jarboe hit .409 with 13 doubles and nine stolen bases.
Papi, a 2010 graduate of Bellbrook High School in Bellbrook, Ohio, was a two-time first-team All-Southwest Buckeye League selection and was twice named to the SWBL All-Star Team. She helped the Eagles to a 10-2 league record and a spot in the state playoffs.
NKU posted a 35-20 record in 2010 and returned to the GLVC Tournament championship game as well as the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The 2011 NKU softball season will begin in February.
