Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Sign Four
December 07, 2005 | Softball
Dec. 7, 2005
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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University softball program has inked four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, head coach Leigh Ross has announced. Brittnay Hay (Huntington Beach, Calif./Cypress CC), Christina Merrida (Woodland, Calif./Pioneer), Carly Riepenhoff (Lima, Ohio/Central Catholic) and Susan Sontag (Monroe, Mich./Jefferson) will join the Falcons for the 2006-07 academic year.
"I am excited about the addition of Brittany, Christina, Carly and Susan to this program," said Ross. "This year's signing class features four young women who not only are very talented athletes, but also are great people and students. I look forward to seeing the impact they can make on the lineup next year."
Hay, primarily a third baseman, is currently in her first year at Cypress Community College in Cypress, Calif. A graduate of Huntington Beach H.S., she was a four-year letterwinner and two-time All-Sunset League First-Team selection. Her travel-ball experience includes a stint with Victory USA Gold in 2004-05.
"We feel we have found the right player to help fill the void of Gina Rango's graduation," said Ross. "Brittnay has a phenomenal glove and a very strong arm that allow her to take away hits at third base. She has great experience at the position and is currently playing at a very competitive California junior college where she faces some of the top players in the nation.
"Offensively, we hope to see Brittnay in the middle of the lineup with the potential to produce some big numbers. What I like most about Brittnay is that she is an `old school' player that just wants to win and is not afraid to get dirty to do so."
Merrida, who plays second base and the outfield, is currently a senior at Pioneer H.S. in Woodland, Calif. She helped the Patriots to a 12-0 Golden Empire League record and a conference title last season, batting .450. She has played summer ball for Nor Cal Lite Gold.
"Christina may be one of the fastest players to come through the BGSU softball program," said Ross. "She will be a sparkplug to our offense. Her ability to hit the ball on the ground and use her speed will create a lot of pressure on opposing teams for the next four years.
"She has the potential to be one of the best leadoff hitters in the Mid-American Conference. She is versatile and can play both second base and outfield for us. What I like most about Christina is her sheer speed and grace in the field and on the base paths."
Riepenhoff, primarily a middle infielder, is a senior at Lima Central Catholic H.S. Carly's sister, Tracy, played collegiately in the MAC, and her father, Tom, is a MAC football official.
"Carly Riepenhoff is a jack of all trades," said Ross. "She can play infield, outfield and pitch, and is a solid hitter. She is one of those players that can do a little bit of everything well, and I would be comfortable putting her at any position on the field.
"Carly's athleticism and never-stay-satisfied attitude will help her develop into a contributing force here. What I like most about Carly is that she is competitive and continuously wants to be better. Those serious ambitions rub off on her teammates and those around her."
Sontag, primarily an outfielder, is a senior at Jefferson H.S. in Monroe, Mich., and helped her team to back-to-back Huron League championships in 2004 and 2005. Sontag earned all-league first-team honors in each of those years, and also earned all-district, county and regional accolades. Her brother, Ryan, plays baseball at Arizona State University.
"Susan Sontag was an unexpected surprise this fall," said Ross. "I found her late in the recruiting process, and during her official visit told myself I needed her personality and attitude as part of the Falcon program. She has been bred to be an outfielder, which is very rare to find in Midwest players.
"She has superb fundamentals coupled with pure athleticism and an intense work ethic. Susan is a very talented hitter with speed who will help us replace some of the offense that we will lose in this year's senior class. She is a great athlete and we feel her best softball is ahead of her. I love Susan's undying desire to help her team win, and she is talented enough to do just that.
"These kids come from great families, and they will bring not only talent, but great enthusiasm to our program. Their personalities fit well with our current group and will complement the philosophies of what defines Falcon softball."
The Falcons finished the 2005 season with an overall record of 29-30, and went 2-2 in the MAC Tournament. BGSU qualified for the league tourney for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
The 2006 edition of the Falcons features five seniors - Natalie Armintrout, Abby Habicht, Lindsay Heimrich, Gina Rango and Liz Vrabel - on the 17-woman roster.
BGSU SOFTBALL SIGNEES
Name Ht. Pos. B/T Hometown (Previous School) Brittnay Hay 5-7 3B R/R Huntington Beach, Calif. (Cypress CC) Christina Merrida 5-0 2B/OF L/R Woodland, Calif. (Pioneer H.S.) Carly Riepenhoff 5-8 SS/2B R/R Lima, Ohio (Central Catholic H.S.) Susan Sontag 5-7 OF L/R Monroe, Mich. (Jefferson H.S.)
