Missouri Western head softball coach Jen Bagley announces the signing of nine high school student-athletes, Kailey Green, Allison Ladd, Shelby Elliott, Morgan Rathmann, Taylor Schaben, Katie Klosterman, Kristin Lange, Megan Korgie and Sydney Washington to play for the Griffons beginning in the 2013-2014 season.

Kailey Greeen is a 5-7 first basemman from Kearney, Mo. She attends Kearney High School where she is coached by Paul Lorbert and former Griffon Keri Franks. Her best sports moment was hitting her first grand slam at districts and breaking the high school home run record. She was also named First Team All-State this past season. She is the daughter of Billy and Brigette Green and plans on majoring in nursing at Missouri Western.

“Kailey’s best attribute is that she has the best of both worlds in her offensive game,” stated Coach Bagley. “She hits for average, and she hits for power.”

Allison Ladd is a 5-8 pitcher/first baseman from Omaha, Neb. She attends Omaha Westside High School where she is coached by Kevin Dunn. Her greatest sports moments were winning USSA 16A State with Team Nebraska in 2012 and winning districts with Westside in 2011. She is the daughter of Tighe and Wendy Ladd and is undecided on a major at Missouri Western.

“We are very excited to get Allie on campus to work with her tremendous upside,” commented Coach Bagley. “She is a hard throwing pitcher with great movement and she isn’t even throwing to her potential yet.”

Shelby Elliott is a 5-1 infielder from Platte City, Mo. She attends Platte County High School where she is coached by Rob Davenport. In the last three years she has been named All-District and All-Conference. She has won numerous team awards as well as being a team captain for Platte County. She is also an excellent student being a member of the National Honor Society. Her sister, Sarah, plays for the Griffons and is the starting third baseman. She also has another sister that attends Missouri Western. She plans on majoring in nursing at Missouri Western. She is the daughter of her dad Steve Elliott and mom Stacy Burress.

“Shelby is a very versatile player who is equally comfortable at third base or second base,” said Coach Bagley. “She is a fun player to watch in that she truly loves the game and plays it hard.”

Morgan Rathmann is a 5-5 outfielder from Neosho, Mo. She attends Neosho High School where she is coached by Melissa Clark. Her greatest sports moment was getting the game winning hit with bases loaded, two outs, extra innings her freshman year. It was one of her first varsity games and one of her first at bats from the left side of the plate. She is No. 1 in her class academically. She is the daughter of John and Connie Rathmann and is undecided on major at Missouri Western.

“Morgan is a natural leader who will bring a high quality of work ethic and talent to our team,” stated Coach Bagley. “With her speed, she is a blast to watch on the bases.”

Taylor Schaben is a 5-6 utility player from Portsmouth, Iowa. She attendes Harlan Community High School where she is coached by Toshia Karpenbauer and Kent Klinkenfus. She has had a very decorated career earning First Team All-District and All-Conference honors as a junior. She was also named Second Team All-State and First Team All-Area as a junior. As a freshman she was First Team All-Area and Second Team-All Conference. As a junior she hit .402 with 11, doubles, three triples, 30 RBI’s and six home runs. In her career she has a batting average of .360. She is the daughter of Gary and Jackie Schaben and has an older sister Brooke who is on the Griffon softball team. Taylor is also a solid student being in the National Honor Socitey. She plans on majoring in business at Missouri western.

“We feel as though we could put Taylor anywhere in our defense,” commented Coach Bagley. “She is versatile and talented. Just like her sister, she loves the game and is a very salty player. We loved the consistency of her bat and defensive play. She is a great kid and comes from a great family.”

Katie Klosterman is a 5-4 infielder from Omaha, Neb. She attends Millard West High School where she is coached by Don and Angie Brummer. She had a very solid high school career. As a senior she was named Omaha World Herald All-Nebraska, Omaha World Herald Class A All-State, Metro High School Activities Association all-Division, Lincoln Journal Star Super State and Lincoln Journal Star Class A All-State. As a junior she was named Omaha World Herald Second Team All-Nebraska, Omaha World Herald Class A All-State, Metro High School Activities Association All-Division, Lincoln Journal Star Second Team Super State and Lincoln Journal Star Class A All-State. As a sophomore she was Metro High School Activities Association Honorable Mention and as a freshman she was Metro High School Activities Association Honorable Mention and All-State Freshman First Team. She is the daughter of Bernie and Karen Klosterman and plans on majoring in business at Missouri Western.

“Katie brings a history of winning with her from the successes of both her high school and travel ball careers,” stated Coach Bagley. “She is a strong athlete with a tremendous bat.”

Kristin Lange is a 5-10 catcher from Elkhorn, Neb. She attends Elkhorn High School where she is coached by Brad Beard and Al Schutte. Lange helped the Elks to a second place finish at state her senior season. As a senior she was named First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference. As a junior she was Second Team All-State and as a sophomore she was Honorable Mention All-Conference. In her career she hit .408 with 124 RBI, 13 homeruns with a .652 slugging percentage. She is the daughter of David and Katherine Lange and plans on majoring in physical therapy at Misouri Western.

“We are fired up to have been able to recruit such a quality catcher for our program,” said Coach Bagley. “Lange is a great leader behind the plate and has an impressive arm.”

Sydney Washington comes from Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo. She was First Team All-District, All-Region and All-State in 2012. Washington was named second team All-District in 2011 and First Team in 2009 and 2010. She had 14 home runs and 41 RBIs with 22 stolen bases her senior year. She plays centerfield and hit three homeruns in a single seven-inning game this past fall.

“Sydney is such an impressive combination of strength and speed,” commented Coach Bagley. “She covers a tremendous amount of ground in the outfield. Offensively, I have watched her power homeruns and follow it up with a bunt for a base hit. Her potential is scary good.”

Megan Korgie is a 5-8 outfielder from Omaha, Neb. She plays at Ralston High School in Ralston, Neb. Her greatest sports moment was hitting her first grand slam in the Amateur Softball Association Nationals in Alabama. Her sister played softball and soccer while in college. Her senior year she had 42 RBIs with six homeruns and had a .429 batting average. She was First Team All-State this past season and second team All-State in 2011. She plans on majoring in nursing while at Missouri Western. She is the daughter of Tom and Sue Korgie.

“We are looking forward to having Korgie in our uniform,” said Coach Bagley. “She has a great personality and swings a very consistent bat. As an outfielder, she has great instincts and a very good arm.”

— MWSU Sports Information —