Wolverines Welcome Three During Early Signing Period
11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head softball coach Carol Hutchins announced Thursday (Nov. 15) the signing of three student-athletes, catcher Amanda Chidester (Allen Park, Mich./Cabrini HS), outfielder Bryanne Evans (Rialto, Calif./Rialto HS) and infielder Stephanie Kirkpatrick (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central HS), to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. The trio will join the Wolverines next fall and make its collegiate debut during the 2009 softball season.
Considered the top recruit out of Michigan, Chidester was named the 2007 Gatorade Player of the year after helping Cabrini High School to a perfect 35-0 record and its second straight state-championship trophy. She is a two-time Division IV All-State selection (2006, '07) and was twice named to the Detroit Free Press All-Metro Team at the catcher position. Chidester led the state in several offensive categories last season, batting .703 with 90 RBI and 16 home runs. She also compiled a .997 fielding percentage behind the plate. Chidester has also excelled during the fall and winter athletic seasons, earning all-state recognition in both volleyball and basketball at CHS.
"Amanda is the next Jessica Merchant," said Hutchins. "She is a Michigan kid through and through. She has been a Michigan fan her whole life and just bleeds Maize and Blue. She cares about the program so much, and she isn't even in it yet. I think she is going to be a great teammate, and I would consider her a nucleus of a team. She's got tremendous athleticism. She's a big power-hitting kid. She is really versatile, a really good athlete, and I can't wait to have her."
Evans is Michigan's second recruit from southern California in as many seasons, joining current freshman Jordan Taylor (Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS). Evans is a two-time All-Citrus Belt League first-team selection (2006, '07) and led the league last season in batting average (.583) while registering 42 hits, 16 RBI, 11 stolen bases and a .889 slugging percentage. Evans, who also participates in volleyball at Rialto High School, was selected to the all-county team as a junior (2007).
"Bree is like a diamond in the rough," said Hutchins. "I was so impressed when I saw her athleticism. She has incredible footspeed and jump on the ball, and she's got a great arm and great range. We need a rangy outfielder next season, and she fits that role perfectly. She reminds me of [USA Softball standout] Caitlin Lowe; she's every bit that quality of caliber. She's an impact player."
A three-year starter at third base and leadoff hitter for Plainfield Central High School, Kirkpatrick led her team in hitting during two of her three varsity seasons and set school records in career and single-season triples. She is a three-year All-Area and Southwest Prairie All-Conference selection (2005, '06, '07) and was named to the Chicago Sun Times' 2006 All-Star Underclassmen team. A three-sport student-athlete, Kirkpatrick earned all-conference honors in the volleyball and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 PCHA basketball team.
"Stephanie has come to Michigan camps for years," said Hutchins, "and I love what she brings to the table. She's a competitive, fiery kid, and she's fast. We're definitely bringing in some speed with this class. Stephanie plays the game the way I like it played. She's just a down-and-dirty type of player. She is definitely going to come in and help us quite a bit, because she can play a lot of positions well."
The Wolverines will kick off the 2008 campaign Feb. 8-10 at the Kick-Off Classic in Boca Raton, Fla., where they will face Masschusetts, Maryland, South Carolina and host Florida Atlantic.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
