MSU Fall Signees Release
MOREHEAD, Ky. - Morehead State softball coach
David Williams announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent in the spring signing period on Monday.
Catcher
McKenna Bartko (Murrieta, Ca./Iowa Western Community College), utility player
Lizzy Margagliotti (Apex, N.C./Apex HS), utility player
Megan Oster (Clermont, Fla./Tallahassee Community College) and pitcher
Greta Smeins (Washington, Iowa/Iowa Western Community College) are set to join the previous five signees in the 2012-13 class.
“I am very excited about the addition of these young ladies to my first recruiting class at Morehead State,” said Williams. “These four players, along with the five that signed in the early period help strengthen and add depth to our roster.”
As a freshman at Iowa Western,
Bartko hit .385, with 18 doubles and 12 home runs, plus 73 RBI. Her contributions helped the Reivers to a Region XI title, to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series and a No. 7 final ranking in the NJCAA national poll. She was named First-Team All-Region XI in 2011. Bartko prepped at Murrieta Valley High School and played travel ball for the SoCal Breakers.
Coach Williams on Bartko:
“McKenna is a strong hitter that has the ability to produce a big hit at any moment. Her ability to move well behind the plate and control the opposition on the bases is just another one of her valuable assets. She understands what it takes to compete at a high level and has gained valuable experience playing against some of the top junior college teams in the nation.”
Margagliotti posted a .446 batting average as a junior at Apex High School, while also registering 28 RBI. She was named all-state, all-district and all-conference for her performance, as well as Most Valuable Player on the Apex softball team. Margagliotti has been listed as one of the “North Carolina Players to Watch” for the 2012 season by
The News and Observer. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society. She plays travel ball for the Triangle Lightning.
Coach Williams on Margagliotti:
“Lizzy has experienced success in both high school and travel ball. She has a winning mentality that a coach loves to have, both on the field and classroom. She can play multiple positions in the field and is a solid hitter. She is a well-rounded player that will bring a consistent bat and solid glove with her to Morehead next fall.”
Oster batted .301 for Tallahassee during her freshman campaign and helped lead the Eagles to the Region XIII title, finishing with a No. 3 final ranking in the NJCAA national poll. She was named Honorable Mention All-Panhandle Conference in 2011. As a sophomore in 2012, Oster is hitting .321 with 17 RBI, 19 runs and three homers. She prepped at South Lake High School.
Coach Williams on Oster:
“Megan will bring two years of college experience with her, playing in a very competitive Florida Junior College system. She is a versatile player that can play several positions in the line-up effectively. She has the ability to play several positions and produce offensively, which makes her a valuable asset.”
Smeins, who joins battery mate Bartko, posted a 2.47 ERA in the circle in 2011 for Iowa Western and finished the season with a 25-10 record. She tallied 192 strikeouts to lead IWCC to the Region XI title, the NJCAA World Series and a final No. 7 ranking in the NJCAA national poll. Smeins was named First-Team All-Region XI and First-Team Academic All-Region XI, as well as being honored as a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCS) All-America Scholar-Athlete. She studied at Washington High School before IWCC.
Coach Williams on Smeins:
“Greta will bring a wealth of game experience with her to Morehead State and will be a good addition to the pitching staff. She has competed at high level with a tremendous amount of success. She is a true competitor in the circle and wants the ball in her hand.”
The 2012-2013 class, Williams’ first at Morehead State, now sits at nine student-athletes, including early signees infielder
Jordan Boone (Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota HS), utility player
Samantha Howard (Pembroke, Ga./Waycross College), infielder
Dana Hutchins (Bradenton, Fla./Lakewood Ranch HS), outfielder/pitcher
Tressa Watson (Kennesaw, Ga./Allatoona HS) and pitcher
Cori Williams (New Port Richey, Fla./J.W. Mitchell HS).
