Nov. 16, 2006

SAN MARCOS - Texas State softball has signed two players to national letters of intent as a start to the 2007 recruiting class, Head Coach Ricci Woodard announced Thursday.

Allyce Rother and Jenna Emery will both join the `Cats after their senior seasons in the greater Houston area and are the first signees among this year's crop of seniors for Texas State.

Rother earned first team All-District 17-5A honors as a centerfielder for Tomball High School in 2005 and 2006 and was awarded the NFCA Scholar Award. She also is a member of the Sudden Impact Gold travel team. Rother also can play third base or shortstop and is expected split time between the outfield and infield as a Bobcat.

Emery has been a three-year starter on the varsity softball team for FB Austin High School in Houston. In 2006 she was named the team's Most Valuable Player and garnered second team all-district honors after helping lead FB Austin to the bi-district playoffs. Emery also ranked in the top 10 in RBIs and extra-base hits for the entire Houston area as a junior in 2006. She primarily plays third base and also is a member of the Texas Aces Gold travel team.

The Bobcats will begin the 2007 regular season on Feb. 9 against 2005 and 2006 Women's College World Series participant Alabama.

Coach Woodard on the incoming freshmen:

Allyce Rother:
Allyce will bring a much needed utility player to the program. She will be slated to help out in the outfield as a freshman, but may also see some time in the infield if the need arises. She is an outstanding athlete that is full of passion for our sport. She will be fun to watch for four years.

Jenna Emery:
Jenna is going to help provide some power in the line up while playing either one of the corner positions. She will be one that will challenge the career homerun record here before she graduates. We are definitely excited about adding Jenna to our lineup next year.