Both Crowder College coaches — baseball coach Travis Lallemand and softball coach Lori Videmschek — were obviously proud of their new haul of recruits.
On Saturday, both programs got commitments from current high school seniors to play ball for the Roughriders and Lady Roughriders next year.
Two of the signees, McDonald County’s Kaily Harvey and Neosho’s Kyle Dickens, were highlighted in Sunday’s edition of the Daily News.
Other baseball players signing included Dustin Kremer of Jefferson City Blair Oaks, James Norvell of Eureka, Trevor Schuh of Harrison, Ark., Kory Verfurth of Billings and Ben Wells from Bryant, Ark.
Verfurth is the little brother of Ryan, who played at both Crowder College and Missouri Southern.
“These are the kind of pieces, at least, to start the puzzle we need to compete at the level we want,” Lallemand said. “We still need to add a few positions, but we can sit back and be patient in the recruiting process.”
Lallemand, then broke down the recruiting class individually.
“Wells, from Bryant, is a right-handed pitcher who has the ability to be a No. 1 pitcher. We got a Zimmer-esque infielder in Trevor Schuh, who can play shortstop, second base and third base (making a reference to former Crowder infielder Kyle Zimmerman).
“Kremer is a guy who can hit in the middle of our lineup and play third base and pitch. Dickens is a utility guy who we can play behind the plate or in the infield. Norvell has 6.8 (seconds) speed and is a plus runner. That is a dimension we needed to add. Verfurth is a right-handed pitcher. His brother threw here. We are looking to see the development he can have in two years here.”
Crowder is still looking for a middle infielder and, like all teams, looking for a few more arms to wrap up the recruiting class. Last year’s signing class included 14 players.
Joining Harvey signing was Hannah Hargis of Heber Springs, Ark., Navada Campos of Pryor, Okla., Carrie Binder of Knob Noster and Amber Beeler of Columbia Rock Bridge.
Videmschek, in her second year at Crowder, was pleased with her recruits.
“This class is a very talented, athletically versatile group,” Videmschek said. “They can come in and make an immediate impact in the program.”
Like the baseball team, Crowder had a large signing class last year and is looking to compliment this year’s freshman team with a few pieces in the 2011 season.
“Between the freshmen, who will be sophomores next year, and this class, it is a good combination of players. I’m excited,” Videmschek said.
The coach, like Lallemand, talked about the group.
“Kaily Harvey is a right-handed power pitcher. She is one of the top pitchers. She can hit extremely well and swings the bat with a lot of power.
“Navada Campos is from Pryor. She has a strong arm behind the plate and is solid fundamentally. She hits with power and is also a good outfielder, but she was an all-state catcher. (Hannah) Hargis is a left-handed pitcher who has a lot of speed and a good off-speed pitcher. She can also play outfield.
“Carrie Binder is a left-handed slap hitter and she is one of the quickest players in Missouri, from Knob Noster. She has lightning speed, she is quick, does everything 100-miles per hour.
“Amber Beeler is a right-handed pitcher from Rock Bridge. She is a junk ball pitcher. She has a deadly change-up.
“This group will do well.”
Neosho, Mo. —
