Northwestern University Athletics
Softball Inks Six During Early Signing Period
11/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 26, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Head coach Kate Drohan has announced the signing of six players to National Letters of Intent to join the Northwestern University softball program beginning in the 2003-04 academic year.
The list includes Eileen Canney of Paradise, Calif., Garland Cooper of Mission Viejo, Calif., Megan Hinck of Lake Zurich, Ill., Katie Logan of Tempe, Ariz., Jessica Miller of Elberfeld, Ind. and Elizabeth Piatt of Monticello, Ill.
"We are extremely excited about this class," Drohan said. "Not only is this an extremely talented group of women, but their character and winning attitude has proven their strong commitment to the vision of Wildcat softball."
Canney, a 6' pitcher, struck out 319 in 159 innings with a 0.026 ERA in 2001 and 2002, while averaging 15 strikeouts per game for Paradise High. She also helped lead the Orange County Batbusters to a ninth-place finish at the 2002 Gold Nationals.
"Eileen will have an impact in the Big Ten immediately," Drohan said. "She is a power pitcher who has great experience at the ASA level."
Cooper, a 5'10" first baseman, was named the Impact Player of the Year after batting .467 with five home runs and 16 RBI for Santa Margarita Catholic in 2001. She was named to the all-Serra League first team.
"Garland is an exceptionally strong athlete with great power from the left side of the plate," said Drohan. "She has a tremendous personality that will add a great deal to this team."
Hinck, a 5'8" pitcher, has fired 881 strikeouts and recorded 11 no-hitters, 37 shutouts and one perfect game for Lake Zurich High over the past three seasons. She earned third-team all-state honors in 2002 and has the distinction of pitching all 27 innings of the second-longest game in Illinois state history. Hinck also helped her Whiteford Skarks summer team to a second-place finish out of 88 teams at the 2002 national tournament.
"Megan is a dominant pitcher in the state of Illinois," Drohan said. "Because of her experience with the Sharks, Megan will make an impact right away."
Logan, a 5'6" outfielder, has earned first-team all-region honors each of the past three seasons at Corona Del Sol High. She also competed for the Storm 18 Gold summer team in 2002. In addition, Logan was a member of the elite group invited to tryout for the Junior Women's National Team.
"Katie has outstanding speed and is a great threat from the left side of the plate," said Drohan. "She will steal a lot of bases for us over the next four years."
Miller, a 5'8" pitcher/utility player, earned all-state honors in Indiana each of last two seasons and was a three-time all-conference selection at Tecumseh High. In 2002, she went 17-5 with a 0.62 ERA as a pitcher, while hitting .449 and slugging .710.
"Jessica is a true utility player who has learned from one of the best pitching instructors in the country, Cheri Kempf," Drohan said. "She is an exceptional hitter with raw power. Jessica has impressed me most with her work ethic."
Piatt, a 5'4" outfielder, hit .491 as a sophomore and .418 as a junior for Monticello High to earn all-conference honors both years. She has recorded 85 stolen bases over her first three high school seasons. As a member of the C.I.G.S. Rebels, she helped the team to a third-place finish at the ASA state tournament.
"Elizabeth is one of the most competive athletes in the class of 2007," Drohan said. "With her great awareness of the game, I am counting on her to add speed to both our offensive and defensive lineup."
