Softball Signs Six
November 20, 2006 | Softball
Nov. 20, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- - University of Louisville softball coach Sandy Pearsall has announced that Chelsea Bemis, Heather Bochenski, Kaylyn Castillo, Morgan Melloh, Christina Roesel and Colby Wherry have signed National Letters-of-Intent to continue their softball careers at the University of Louisville in the fall of 2007.
Chelsea Bemis, a catcher/third baseman joins the Cardinals from San Diego, Calif. She is a three-year varsity letter winner at Mt. Carmel High School where she was the Offensive MVP and an All Palomar League first team member her sophomore and junior seasons. As the team co-captain in 2006, she was an all-California Interscholastic Federation first team member and won the Coca Cola MVP Award. She was also a member of the 2006 Union Tribune All-Academic team. Bemis played for the San Diego Renegades U18 Gold team which finished seventeenth in the ASA Gold Nationals in 2006.
"Chelsea is a very good athlete. She is both a top volleyball and softball player for her high school," said Pearsall. "Chelsea will come in and help us at the corners and with catching as well. She has great travel ball experience."
Heather Bochenski, a shortstop/second baseman from Reno, Nev., plays for two-time Nevada state champion Robert McQueen High School where she is a three-year varsity starter. She won the Golden Glove Award as a shortstop and was a first team all-state team member her junior year (2006). Bochenski is a two-time all-league team member and was an all-state honorable mention in 2005. She also earned all-state academic honors all three years. In addition to her high school team, Bochenski plays for the All-American Softball Academy 18 Gold travel team. In 2005, she was a member of the `B' Division national champion Nor-Cal Heat and the 18 Gold San Jose Lady Sharks.
"Heather is solid all-around athlete," said Pearsall. "She is currently playing shortstop, but she can help us anywhere in the infield or outfield. She has quickness and an upbeat personality and will be a great fit for our team."
Kaylyn Castillo, a catcher/third baseman from Norco, Calif., plays for Norco High School where she is a three-year varsity starter. As a junior, she was named to the all-Mountain View League first team, All-California Interscholastic Federation first team, All-County first team and earned second team All-State honors. She also garnered all-league academic honors for the past four years. In addition to her high school team, Castillo plays for the Corona Angels 18 Gold team and was a member of the ASA national champion Batbusters in 2004-05.
"Kaylyn comes to us from one of the top gold teams in the country," said Pearsall. "She is a very good athlete, strong offensively and is a very exciting player to watch. She will help us at third base and catcher."
Morgan Melloh, a pitcher/first baseman from Fishers, Ind., plays for Hamilton Southeastern High School where she was the Indianapolis Star All-North Player of the Year her sophomore and junior seasons. She is a three-time all-state and all-county selection and has been named to the Indianapolis Star super team the past two seasons. Melloh also holds the state record for strikeouts in a game with 39 in a 25 inning game. She is currently a member of the Indiana Magic Gold travel team and played for the three-time Indiana ASA state champion Indy Edge.
"We are very excited to have our first left-handed pitcher in U of L history joining our team," said Pearsall. "Morgan is a hard-throwing lefty with a good rise ball and she's also a very strong hitter. We hope she will come in and continue the strong tradition of pitchers we have established here."
Christina Roesel, a switch-hitting utility player from Morris, Ill., plays for Morris Community High School and the Orland Park Sparks travel team. At Morris High School, she is a three-year varsity starter and four-time all-conference shortstop. She has been named team MVP and earned the Defensive Player and Golden Glove Awards, posting a .982 career fielding percentage.
"We are very pleased to bring in our first player from Illinois," said Pearsall. "Christina is a great athlete who can play either infield or the outfield. She also has good quickness and the ability to get on base. She's a great defensive player as well."
Colby Wherry, a shortstop from Goodlettsville, Tenn., played for Beech High School and was a high school teammate of current Cardinal Kassie Stanfill. Wherry is a three-year varsity starter and two-time all-district team member. In 2005 and 2006, she was named to the all mid-state, all-county and all-tournament teams. Last season she was nominated for the league MVP. As a freshman, she was the starting shortstop for the state champion team and was named to the All-District tournament team. Wherry also played basketball and soccer for Beech High School.
"Colby is one of the top shortstops in the region and we're very proud that she has committed to us," said Pearsall. "She possesses a great arm and is a power hitter. Colby is an all-around athlete who will have an immediate impact on the team."
The Cards will open the 2007 season February 9-11 at the Florida International Tournament. U of L finished the 2006 season with a program-best 45-11 record. Louisville won the BIG EAST regular season title and earned its third consecutive NCAA tournament at-large bid. After appearing the national rankings for the first time in school history, the Cardinals closed the year ranked No. 17 in the USA Today/NFCA softball poll and No. 19 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll.
