Softball Signs Two
November 28, 2007 | Softball
Nov. 28, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- - University of Louisville softball coach Sandy Pearsall has announced that Kristin Austin and Tori Collins have signed National Letters-of-Intent to continue their softball careers at the University of Louisville in the fall of 2008.
Kristin Austin
Austin, an outfielder/second baseman from Hartsburg, Mo., plays for Southern Boone County High School and the Missouri Madness travel team.
Austin is a three-time all-Missouri state selection. As a junior, she stole 56 bases, placing her at second on the state's all-time record. Austin is also a four-time all-conference, district and region selection.
In addition to her softball accolades, Austin also plays basketball, earning all-conference honors from 2004-06; was selected to the all-district team in 2005 and 2006; and was named to the all-Tribune team in 2007. Austin is also an accomplished track athlete. She was the 800 meter state champion and 400 meter runner-up in 2005 and is a three-time all-conference, all-district and all-state team member.
"Kristin is a great athlete who brings tremendous speed, along with excellent slapping capability," said Pearsall. "She is an aggressive base runner, who will make things happen for us on the base path. She is capable of playing in the infield, but we have slated her for playing in the outfield. We are fortunate to welcome an excellent student in the classroom and an exciting player to watch."
Austin also considered Northwestern, Missouri, Iowa State, Texas A&M and Michigan before signing with Louisville.
Kristin Austin on Louisville
"I chose Louisville because of the coaches and the facilities. Louisville softball is high energy and that is the way I like to play softball. I felt like I meshed with all three coaches as well as the team. I also thought the facilities were amazing. I like everything about Louisville!"
Tori Collins
Collins, a left-handed pitcher/first baseman, hails from Lafayette, Ind., where she plays for McCutcheon High School and the Hoosier Pride travel team. As a junior, Collins was named the Journal and Courier Big School Player of the Year, was a first team all-state and all-conference selection and was the McCutcheon High School MVP, helping them win the IHSAA Class 4A Sectional and Regional Championships, the Twin Lakes Tournament and take second place in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.
As a sophomore, while playing for Clinton Prairie High School, she was the Journal and Courier All Area Small School Player of the year, named to the IGCSA District III, all-conference and all-county teams. During that time she helped her high school team to the Hoosier Heartland Conference and the Clinton County Championships.
While playing for the Indy Crush travel team, she was a three-time Orland Park Sparks Annual Tournament MVP, helping lead her team to the 2007 PFX Tournament, Orland Park Sparks Pumpkin Fest and Easton Classic Tournament championships in 2007.Her team also won the ASA Liftoff Tournament and the Sportzone Winter Tournament in 2006 and the Spooktacular Tournament in 2005.
"In Tori, we finally have the long sought-after left handed pitcher for our program," said Pearsall. "She is a hard-throwing, fierce competitor who will definitely come in and make a statement her freshman year. Tori is also a very good hitter with a great work ethic that extends to the classroom as well. We are very excited to welcome a pitcher of her caliber in our program."
Collins also considered Minnesota, Purdue, Illinois, Ohio State and Indiana State before signing with Louisville.
Tori Collins on U of L
"I had other visits at other schools, but U of L felt instantly right. After spending the day with the coaches, players and administrative staff and touring the amazing facilities, it took me less than five minutes to make my decision. I had worked my whole life for this moment, U of L was where I was supposed to be and there wasn't a doubt in my mind."
The University of Louisville softball team finished the 2007 season with a 37-25 overall record and reached their fourth straight NCAA tournament, earning the BIG EAST Conference's automatic bid by winning the league tournament championship. Louisville will open the 2008 season Feb. 8-10 at Florida State's Early Bird Tournament.
