Michigan Softball Inks Four During Early Signing Period
12/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team, which is coming of its fifth Women's College World Series appearance in seven seasons, landed four high school recruits during the early signing period. The Michigan freshman class of 2003 consists of pitcher Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS), infielder Tiffany Haas (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill HS), infielder Grace Leutele (Sierra Vista, Ariz./Buena HS) and utility player Stephanie Bercaw (Wooster, Ohio/Hillsdale HS).
"We signed four kids who fit our needs very well," noted head coach Carol Hutchins. "What I like about this group the most is that they are all quality Michigan kids."
Haas comes to Michigan as an infielder, with her primary positions being shortstop and third base during a high school career in which she earned All-Century League first-team honors. Haas was also a member of the 2000 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) SS Division I state championship team at Foothill High School. "Haas is an infielder who we expect to make an immediate impact as a middle infielder and replace an All-American like Kelsey Kollen (Cerritos, Calif./Santa Ana Mater Dei HS) at second base." Haas will team with current Michigan freshman shortstop Jessica Merchant (Wayland, Mich./Wayland HS) to give the Wolverines an excellent middle infield of the future.
Ritter is the sister of current Wolverine pitcher Meghan Ritter (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) and is the lone pitcher so far in the 2002-03 freshman class. Ritter was an All-State first-team selection according to the Michigan High School Coaches Association as a junior in 2001 after posting a 17-3 mark on the mound, including nine no-hitters, and striking out 282 batters in 135 innings. For her high school career, Ritter is averaging over two strikeouts per inning. "Ritter has an excellent arm and we definitely needed an impact pitcher in this class," stated Hutchins. "She has the ability to step right in for us."
Leutele was an All-Region selection as a junior in 2001 after breaking her school record with a 13-game hitting streak. "Leutele is a third-base prospect and a big, strong kid who we feel is only going to get better and better with time," stated Hutchins. "We think she is very underrated and a diamond in the rough, so we are excited about her potential at Michigan."
Bercaw will don the Wolverine uniform after a high school career in which she was an All-Ohio Division III selection as a junior and a two-time Player of the Year according to the Ashland Times Gazette. "Bercaw has good speed and is a player that we are looking forward to developing because of her athleticism," noted Hutchins. "She is also a great Michigan fit and is a kid who grew up a big Michigan fan down in Ohio."
