By Joey Bennett
Lincoln Trail College is going through a rebuilding phase in its softball program, with only two players returning from this year’s team.
Coach Rachael Killinger has turned to the Indiana side of the Wabash Valley for a pair of components to start that process, as Terre Haute South grad Tiffany Fendrick and North Central grad Siona Taft have signed to play for the Lady Statesmen.
“This ’09-10 freshman class is the biggest class we will be signing,” said Killinger, whose team graduated 10 players from last year. “So far we have signed seven freshmen and gotten a commitment from an eighth. We are looking to sign a total of 16 for this class.”
Fendrick had a solid senior year in helping lead the Braves to a 20-win season and their first sectional game victory in four years, batting .318 with eight doubles, one home run and 21 RBI while striking out only eight times in 88 at-bats.
Defensively, she made only two errors in 141 total chances for a .986 fielding percentage, and threw out 40.9 percent of attempted base stealers.
South Coach Steve Woerner will miss his only senior for a lot of reasons, many of which have nothing to do with numbers on a stat sheet.
“Tiffany has been one of those players that make coaching enjoyable,” he said. “She never complains, she leads the team on and off the field, plays hurt, and is the consummate team first player. She never talks about herself and always tries to include her teammates in everything.”
Fendrick was the only senior on the team this year and helped mentor the five freshman starters for the Braves. She led the team in batting average, doubles and RBI.
“I am very excited that Tiffany has decided to continue her softball career by playing at Lincoln Trail College,” Woerner said. “I have seen a renewed enthusiasm in her this year. I think she has taken to the leadership role and is going to be a great addition to their program.
“I am going to miss her next year, not just for her catching ability but more so for her infectious smile and her pleasant personality,” he added. “She is just a great kid and deserves the very best.”
Fendrick likes the proximity to home among many positive things about LTC.
“I had a couple of different colleges talking to me but Lincoln Trail just seemed to fit,” she said. “The cost was perfect, the campus was small [which is good], and the coach seemed liked she really cared about the girls.
“Also, it is only an hour away from home,” Fendrick added. “I love my family and being close to home was a big part of me going to LTC.”
Killinger likes Fendrick’s defensive tenacity.
“Tiffany is force behind the plate,” she said. “She blocks everything, and is a tremendous leader. She has an infectious personality that can lift spirits at any time.”
Killinger expects Fendrick to compete for the starting catching position, but does not limit her to one spot.
“She can play in the field as well,” Killinger said. “What impressed me about her was that she said to me I love catching, but I’ll play where ever you need me. That says a lot about a kid, that she’s willing to do what’s best for the team. If I could, I’d sign another five just like her.”
Taft batted over .400 this season as the T-Birds’ starting second baseman and cleanup hitter.
Her North Central career, which included an appearance in the Class A state finals two years ago, and many years of playing for successful travel teams have prepared Taft for the next level.
“Si is a talented middle infielder and has great lateral quickness,” Killinger said. “Nothing gets by her defensively. From a hitting perspective she is one of the most consistent players I have seen this spring.
“She will be competing for a starting position and I foresee her hitting early in the order,” Killinger added. “We are really excited about bringing her into our program. I expect some great things from her; she is just a great kid.”
Taft likes the softball aspect of LTC, but also is looking long-term at the big picture. A good recommendation from former teammate Jacilyn McClain, who played for the Lady Statesmen the past two seasons, also helped make her decision.
“I want to become a nurse, and LT has one of the best nursing programs,” she said. “Playing softball covers pretty much everything.
“Jac gave a good recommendation and Coach K is really down to earth, but academics come first so that was a huge factor too,” Taft added. “My hitting is definitely something I need to work on. Mentally, both on and off the field; I need to know that I can be a lot better than where I am right now.”
• • •
• Barbee to USI — Samantha Barbee, also a recent North Central graduate, has signed to continue her softball career at Southern Indiana.
This year, Barbee hit .449 with seven doubles, three home runs, and 13 RBIs. She also brings a good glove as she finished her senior year with a .987 fielding percentage in 158 chances.
She earned varsity letters in cross country, basketball, and softball at North Central and was the Ladybird Pride Award winner in 2006 and 2007 and earned the TRC Awards for cross country and softball.
”Sam is a talented and versatile player with strong fundamentals who brings depth to several areas of our team,” USI Coach Sue Kunkle said. “In addition to being a strong defensive player, Sam can hit with power from both sides of the plate to help us offensively.”
• • •
• Throneburg update — D.J. and Denny Throneburg coached different sports at different schools this spring, but they’re both in the news.
D.J. is the pitching coach at Parkland Junior College, and he helped guide the Cobras to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series championship.
Parkland routed Scottsdale Community College (Ariz.) 11-3 at David Allen Ballpark in Enid, Okla., in the championship game to win their second title. The Cobras also won the title back in 2002 and were runners-up in 2005.
Denny, meanwhile, has stepped down as softball coach at Lake Land College but will remain at the school as athletic director. The 57-year-old Throneburg led the Lakers to a best-ever 46-8 record this season.
Assistant coach Nic Nelson is taking over.
Throneburg had quadruple bypass surgery last year, and he realizes his age is not letting him do what he once did.
“I only know one way to coach softball and that always requires a lot of time,” he told the Mattoon Journal-Gazette. “Unfortunately, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m getting older. Quadruple bypass surgery let me know that. I love coaching. I’m not retiring. I’ll coach something. It’s in your blood. I enjoy coaching 10-year-olds as much as I do college players.”
He will continue to be involved in the activities of D.J. and his two other children. Daughter Dara Updegraff is the head softball coach at Casey-Westfield and son Derek is the director of ticket sales for the St. Louis Cardinals.
He also has a seven-year-old granddaughter who will probably toe the mound once or twice in her lifetime.
“I was thrilled to go to Oklahoma and watch D.J. coach, and I enjoy watching Dara coach,” he told the Journal-Gazette. “Sue and I enjoy look forward to the opportunities to visit Derek. Sue of course is supportive as always. We moved to Mattoon and enjoy being part of the community.”
• • •
• Goodman to VU — White River Valley’s Samantha Goodman was already planning to go to Vincennes University, but is also taking advantage of an opportunity to compete for the Trailblazer track and field team.
Goodman recently signed a letter-of-intent to join the VU program, where she is expected to throw the discus and the hammer.
“Samantha has had a strong season and she is an excellent discus thrower already,” Vincennes University head track and field coach Chris Gafner told the Greene County Daily World.
“I knew she was already planning on going to school there, then we started talking with the coaches there and when they found out what she was already throwing it was a no brainer,” WRV head coach Tim Neal told the Daily World. “She should be able to step in and help them right away. It will be a good fit for both parties.”
Joey Bennett is a former Tribune-Star sports reporter and copy editor who now teaches and coaches at Northview High School in Brazil. He can be reached at tribstarcollegereport@yahoo.com.
2009-2010 Commitments/signings/transfers
NOTE: All are 2009 graduates unless listed otherwise. Please send any additions or corrections to address at end of column.
Bloomfield
Bailey Maryfield, tennis, IUPUI
Casey-Westfield
Kaleb Brandenburg, football, McKendree
Andrew Kuhn, football, McKendree
Mackenzie Connelly, softball, Indiana State
Taylor Biggs, baseball, Parkland
Mitch Snyder, football, Rose-Hulman
Clay City
Mardi Steiner (’08), basketball, Olney Central College
Local connections
Austen Stoelting, soccer, Jacksonville (Ala.) State
Jake Kelly, basketball, Indiana State (transfer from Iowa)
Greencastle
Hannah Spencer, soccer, Marian
Marshall
Logan Eitel, basketball, Indiana State
Lucas Eitel, basketball, Indiana State
North Central
Donnie Abrams, basketball, Marian
Siona Taft, softball, Lincoln Trail College
Sammy Barbee, softball, Southern Indiana
Jacilyn McClain, softball, Lindenwood (Mo.) University (transfer from Lincoln Trail College)
North Vermillion
Derryn Axtell, basketball, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College
Northview
Austin Akers, basketball, Olney Central College
Kirstin Kimball, basketball, Danville Area Community College
Kylee Thacker, track/cross country, Indiana State
Allie True, cross country, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
C.J. Barnett, cross country, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Shelby Colson, softball, Glenville (W.Va.) State
Cayla Yockey, soccer, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Kade Baker, golf, Rend Lake College
Joe Evinger (’07), football, Louisville (transfer from College of the Canyons)
Broc Miller (’07), football, Marian (transfer from Indiana State)
Oblong
Kirsten Henry, basketball, Olney Central College
Jalyne Goss, softball, Lincoln Trail College
Owen Valley
Heather Gonser, basketball, Indianapolis
Nickole Gonser, basketball, Indianapolis
Paris
Avery Mason, baseball, Olney Central College
Chase Brinkley, basketball, Olney Central College
Rodney Watson, men’s head basketball coach, Southern Indiana (from Southern Illinois assistant)
Riverton Parke
Megan Vincent, softball, Wabash Valley College
Robinson
Amber Hildebrand, softball, Kaskaskia College
Stephen Jones, basketball, St. Louis Christian College
Travis Whithaus, golf, Vincennes
Meyers Leonard (’10), basketball, Illinois
Rockville
R.J. Mahurin, basketball, Indiana State
Matt King, football and baseball, Indiana State
Steven Ball, baseball, Indiana State
Aaron Bridge, football and basketball, Franklin
Laura Payne, volleyball, Lincoln Land
Lindsey Greene (’11), softball, Illinois State
Shakamak
Jessica Gilbert, volleyball, Black Hawk College
Jared Rehmel, basketball, Central Arkansas (transfer from Olney Central)
South Putnam
Brittany Cox, track and field, Indiana Statee
Noah Boswell, baseball, Kentucky Weslyan
Derek Tomaw,football, Franklin
Conor Frame, football, Wabash College
Sullivan
Kate Foglesong, soccer, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Terre Haute North
Zach Harrison, basketball, Ball State
Scott Weatherford, football, Eastern Illinois
David White (’08), football, Joliet Junior College
Billy Sisson, football, Sacramento City College
Nick Pilipovich, baseball, Rose-Hulman
Brittany Farmer, tennis, Butler
Andrew Woodason (’07), baseball, Milligan (Tenn.) College
Wade Bush, football, Indiana State
Frank Willis, football, Taylor
Drew Holcomb, tennis, Vincennes
Nate Blank (’07), basketball, Indianapolis (transfer from Gardner-Webb)
Emily Richards, swimming, Ball State
Brandon Query, cross country/track and field, Indiana State
John Huster, swimming, Rose-Hulman
Katie Guell, swimming, Purdue
Casey Hayne (’08), volleyball, Oakland City (transfer from Lake Land)
Terre Haute South
Dragana Grbic, basketball, Butler
Jake Odum, basketball, Indiana State
Randa Rector, basketball, Vincennes
Krista Smith, basketball, Indiana State
Tessa Johnson, basketball, Lincoln Trail College
Adam Austin, track and field, Lipscomb (Tenn.) College
Hunter Bullock, tennis, IUPUI
Michael Mardis, football, Indiana State
Josh Bridwell, football/ track and field, Indianapolis
Armon Bassett (’06), basketball, Ohio (transfer from Alabama-Birmingham)
Derelle Hankins (’08), football, Marian (transfer from Indiana State)
Brittaney Pugh, volleyball, Lincoln Memorial College (Tenn.)
Katelyn Gosnell, golf, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Elias Brown, football, Indiana State
Zach Hosking, golf, Millikin
Cole Vicars (’07), baseball, Alcorn State (transfer from Vincennes)
Tiffany Fendrick, softball, Lincoln Trail
Bobby Woods (’06), baseball, Alcorn State (transfer from Olney Central)
John Haley, track and field, Wabash
Turkey Run
Meghan Doss, basketball, Vincennes
West Vigo
Joel Modesitt, tennis, IUPUI
Jordan Pearson, baseball, Indiana State
Jeremy Lucas, baseball, Indiana State
Cameron Fagg, baseball, Wright State
Kameron Silcock, football, Franklin
Lucas Mackey, football, Hanover
White River Valley
Jennifer Hughes, cross country, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Samantha Goodman, track and field, Vincennes
