Byerley sees depth, promise in latest softball recruiting class
6/23/2010 – Byerley sees depth, promise in latest recruiting class
By ADAM ROSENBERG Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4484 | arosenberg@nwfdailynews.com
When it comes down to filling out a lineup card next season, Northwest Florida State College coach Jack Byerley might have to flip a coin or consult a magic eight ball, especially when it comes to his outfield.
Byerley has a wealth of talent entering the fold after a strong recruiting class, meaning he might have more players deserving to start than spots on the field to place them. Of course, that's a problem any coach would love to have.
"Our outfield depth is ridiculous," Byerley said. "It's going to be a war to see who plays."
Last Wednesday, Byerley signed Choctawhatchee's Michelle Eubanks as the final member of this year's recruiting class in an effort to put the Raiders back on top of one of the NJCAA's toughest conferences after finishing second to Chipola College last season. In addition to talent, Byerley thinks this year's class possesses the team-first mindset that was somewhat lacking from last season's group.
"The key to this recruiting class is that everyone is a super hard worker," said Byerley, who guided the Raiders to the Panhandle Conference title in 2009. "That's something we looked for. We didn't want those kids that are super talented but aren't used to the hard work we're going to put them through. We put them through the ringer."
Joining Eubanks in that ringer will be 12 other new Raiders, including Eubanks' Choctaw teammate, Jenny Vachon. The rest of the recruits come from as close by as Freeport's Jordan Howell to as far away as Melanie Vasquez, who is joining the team from Ontario, Calif.
Many of those recruits figure to fight for spots in the outfield, where it seems like Whitney Fletcher is the only returning player with a strong hold on a starting spot. Incoming freshmen Adrianna Booth, Gwen Jones, Amber Paulson, Stefani Stevenson and Howell all should push a trio of returners for playing time.
Among the newcomers, Byerley seemed particularly excited about Jones. He said the Bartow product has speed that compares to Fletcher's, making her an ideal replacement for Adrena Anderson.
"Gwen is just like Fletcher," Byerley said. "She can just fly."
Byerley also concentrated heavily on bolstering the pitching staff, which posted a disappointing 3.01 ERA last season and surrendered 34 home runs. To remedy those numbers, he added three new pitchers.
The most notable of the new hurlers is Jenny Shepherd of Evans, Ga., who was Georgia's Class 4A Player of the Year her junior year. In two trips to the postseason in high school, Shepherd lost two games despite throwing no-hitters. Byerley says she has ace potential in addition to swinging a big bat as a third baseman.
"She's a hard thrower," Byerley said. "We're looking forward to seeing what she can do."
Jacke Houk and Howell will also be counted on to provide depth in the circle.
Rounding out the class are several promising infielders and a pair of catchers. Amber Henson and Vasquez will be the likely candidates to start behind the plate, with the potential move of last year's starter, Kelsey Cooper, to the middle infield.
Joining Cooper in the infield will be Houk, Shelby Knox, Jessica Whitlock, Erica Vasquez, Vachon and Eubanks.
"This is one thing I like about junior college ball," Byerley said. "It's a big class of new players every year. You always get different personalities and there will be a whole lot of transition. It will be fun."