MNU Softball Coach Steve Babinski has announced his signings for the 2010-2011 softball season. Ashley Larios, Annie Duffner, Lynsey Keith, Keeley Ray and Melissa Barnes have all signed National Letters of Intent and will suit up for the Pioneers in the fall of 2010. Larios and Duffner will come to MNU to start their junior campaigns while Keith, Ray, and Barnes will begin as freshmen. “This is a very strong recruiting class, "says Babinski. "We are continuing to increase the level of play here at MNU and landing these top kids shows that we’ll only getting better.”
Ashley Larios, a 5-10 catcher/third basemen from Whittier, California was a 3 time 1st-Team All-Leaguer and 3-time 1st-Team All-Region player while being MVP her senior year at St. Paul High School. After high school she attended 2-year Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA and helped the Mounties win the 2009 California State Championship. Babinski says about Larios, “Ashley is an immediate impact player. She steps on the field and commands respect behind the plate with her arm and her surprisingly quick feet. She’s got tremendous power and will add another longball threat in our lineup." When we asked Mt. SAC Head Coach Kelly Ford she told us, “Ashley Larios is an impact player. She has a tremendous bat, she has a commanding presence behind the plate and knows how to find a way to win. She has left her mark on Mt. SAC softball and I am confident that she will be a difference maker for MNU Softball.” Mt. SAC has captured the California Junior College State Title in 2003-2005-2007 and 2009. Ashley’s proud parents are Frank and Julie.
Annie Duffner, a 5-4 lefty pitcher/outfielder from Jefferson City, MO was a 3-sport award winner in high school. For softball she was All-District and All-Conference as well as capturing an All-Tournament MVP award. Annie played 2 seasons at NAIA Central Methodist University where she was a 2008 2nd-Team HAAC All-Conference player. In her 2 years at CMU she was 4-0 as a pitcher with a combined ERA of 2.37. Annie helped the Eagles to a 31-9 HAAC Conference record while placing 2nd in 2009 and and tied for 1st in 2008. Coach Babinski says, “Annie a good kid with a lot of positives. She is going to add to our depth and variety on the mound and in the outfield. I love that she knows the HAAC Conference and understands how strong the competition is. Annie is a very welcomed addition to our program and will help us move forward.” Annie’s proud parents are Paul and Sharon.
Lynsey Keith, a 5-5 infielder from Santa Rosa, CA was the 2006 Athlete of the Year; 2007 2nd-Team All-League; 2008 1st-Team All-League, 1st Team All-Empire, Underclassman Player of the Year, and League Champion; 2009 1st Team All-League, 1st Team All-Empire and Most Valuable Player. In 2009 Lynsey finished the season batting .589 with a .877 slugging percentage and a .982 fielding percentage at shortstop. She led the league in batting average and RBIs and finished 3rd in batting average and 1st in RBIs for the whole region. Coach Babinski says, “Lynsey is a 5 tool kid. She has a great arm, glove, can run, hit for average and power. I saw her and Keeley [Ray] out at a Colorado tournament and I fell in love with the talent. I was watching another field and looked over my shoulder to see a shortstop bare hand a bad throw from the second baseman to complete a force out…my jaw dropped and I was sold. Lynsey is a big play maker and is a very welcomed addition! She is gonna have a remarkable career as a Pioneer.” Lynsey’s proud parents are Tom and Hetty.
Keeley Ray, a 5-7 lefty slapping outfielder from Sanoma, CA. In 2007 she was Honorable Mention All-League and Offensive Player of the Year. In 2008 she was 2nd All-League and Offensive Player of the Year. And in 2009 she was 1st Team All-League, Second Team All-Empire and MVP. Babinski says, “Keeley is a great prospect. She covers a lot of ground in the outfield with a great glove and delivers immediate offense by always being on the bases. She is a slapper with the ability to find the gaps for extra bases and RBIs. Keeley is a very special kid who was are so very excited to get!” Keeley and Lynsey [Keith] are summer ball teammates and will continue being teammates here in Olathe. Keeley’s proud parents are Marc and Stephanie.
Melissa Barnes, a 5-3 lefty slapping infielder from Belton, MO. In 2006 she was 1st Team All-Conference; 2007 was 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-District, and 1st Team All-Region; 2008 was 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-District, 2007-2009 was 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-District. In 2007, 2008, & 2009 Melissa led in many categories including stolen bases, walks, doubles, triples, and home runs. Babinski says “Mo (Melissa) is a great athlete. She is scrappy, will have the dirtiest uniform on the field, is intense and driven. She is small but has good power. Mo looks like a traditional slapper until she drills the ball over the outfielders' heads. She is fast and can play anywhere on the field. We are looking forward to adding Melissa, with all of her tools and abilities, to our softball program.” Melissa’s proud parents are Robert and Yvonne.