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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Announce Softball Signees
June 17, 2003 | Softball
June 17, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University softball program has inked five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, head coach Leigh Ross-Shaw has announced. Jeanine Baca (La Habra, Calif.), Megan McPherson (Henderson, Nev.), Angela Ortiz (Rowland Heights, Calif.), Emmy Ramsey (New Concord, Ohio) and Kari Steigerwald (Baden, Pa.) will join the Falcons for the 2003-04 academic year.
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"We have another strong class coming in this year," said Ross-Shaw. "All five of these kids have the potential to be impact players. I'm excited to have them join our program."
Baca, a native of La Habra, Calif., is a product of Sonora High School. An outfielder, she was a three-time all-league first-team selection. Additionally, Baca has played summer ball for American Pastime for eight years, and currently plays for the 18 & Under Gold team.
"Jeanine plays centerfield for American Pastime, and has great range in the outfield," said Ross-Shaw. "Last summer, she played with a broken hand, so she did not attract the attention from colleges that she might have. I got a chance to see her play in the fall. She is a very strong outfielder, and she hits third in the lineup for American Pastime, facing some of the best pitching in the country."
McPherson, a native of Henderson, Nev., attended Silverado High School. A second baseman/outfielder, she has played eight years of travel ball for the Las Vegas Rage. McPherson has earned all-region and all-state honors.
"Megan is a left-handed slapper with great speed and good instincts," said Ross-Shaw. "All five of these signees have very good speed. Megan is a very intense competitor who talks a lot on the field. Her style of play reminds me of (current Falcon) Gina Rango."
Ortiz, a native of Walnut, Calif., attended John A. Rowland H.S. in Rowland Heights. She was a four-year starter at shortstop, and was an All-Sierra League selection each season. Ortiz has played with travel teams for a decade, most recently teaming with Baca on American Pastime. That team advanced to Nationals in the past two summers.
"With the loss of (2003 Falcon senior) Libby Voshell, Angie will probably step into our lineup at shortstop right away," said Ross-Shaw. "Defensively, I don't think we're going to miss a beat. At the plate, Angie is a solid, line-drive hitter with a good swing. She plays on such a good summer team that she faces some of the best pitching in the country."
Ramsey, a native of New Concord, Ohio, attended John Glenn H.S., and helped that team to a 28-5 record and its first-ever state semifinal appearance in 2003. She was a unanimous All-Muskingum Valley League selection, earning all-league honors for the fourth consecutive year. She played three positions - third base as a freshman, catcher as a sophomore and shortstop as a junior - in her first three seasons with the Lady Muskies, before remaining at shortstop in 2003. Ramsey entered the 2003 campaign with a career batting average of .414 with 58 stolen bases over her first three years.
"Emmy has a great arm," said Ross-Shaw. "She's a shortstop, but her arm is so strong that I'd to give her a try in the outfield, because I think she will be great out there. She's a left-handed slap hitter with great speed."
Steigerwald, a native of Baden, Pa., attended North Allegheny H.S. A centerfielder, she hit .460 as a junior, with 25 stolen bases. She struck out only three times in 100 plate appearances, and did not commit an error all season. A starter since her freshman year, she helped NAHS to the Class AAA state championship as a junior, and the team returned to the state championship game in 2003. Steigerwald hails from the same high school as pitcher Liz Vrabel, who recently completed her freshman year with the Falcons.
"Kari is another left-handed slap hitter with great speed," said Ross-Shaw. "But, she can swing away as well, and being a natural lefty, can get to first base in a hurry. She teamed with Liz to win one state championship, and her team lost a 1-0, nine-inning game in the state final this year. With the graduation of leadoff hitter Kandice Machain, I'm looking for Kari or Megan to step in to that spot at the top of our lineup."
The Falcons finished the 2003 season with an overall record of 26-26-1, and BGSU had a Mid-American Conference record of 15-9, good enough to advance to the MAC Tournament for the fifth time in six years. The Falcons had five seniors - Machain, Voshell, McKenna Houle, Liz Tuza and Crystal Wilson - on the 2003 roster.
BGSU SOFTBALL SIGNEES
Name Ht. Pos. B/T Hometown (High School) Jeanine Baca 5-5 OF R/L La Habra, Calif. (Sonora) Megan McPherson 5-6 2B/OF L/R Henderson, Nev. (Silverado) Angela Ortiz 5-5 SS R/R Walnut, Calif. (Rowland) Emmy Ramsey 5-5 SS/OF L/R New Concord, Ohio (John Glenn) Kari Steigerwald 5-4 CF L/L Baden, Pa. (North Allegheny)
