Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Softball Inks Five for 2006 Season
12/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Dec. 8, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State softball program will have five new faces joining the program for the 2006 season, as announced this afternoon by head coach Margie Wright.
With three local players signing on to be Bulldogs, the 2006 early signee class features a trio of pitchers/utility players in Merryann Barr (Fresno, Calif.), Robin Mackin (Ontario, Canada) and Katie Nelson (Oceanside, Calif.) while infielder/outfielder Haley Perkins (Fresno, Calif.) and outfielder Kori Sherman (Fresno, Calif.) round out the group.
Barr, who played summer ball for the So Cal A's, hails out of Clovis High. A left-handed power hitting first baseman and right-handed pitcher for the Cougars, she hit .359 and had 19 RBI while earning NFCA High School All-America honors last season. In the circle, Barr owns a career mark of 16-5.
"Merryann is an awesome competitor and a great athlete," stated Wright, who is the NCAA's all-time winningest softball coach. "She has not gotten the opportunity to show how good she is but she will be a rising star. Merryann is a great hitter who can pitch and play both the infield and outfield. I can't wait for her to perform."
Mackin, who played for the Arizona Roadrunners in ASA ball, is a right-hander whose fastball has been clocked as high as 69 mph. Out of Newmarket High School, she was a member of the 2004 18-under Canadian National Championship team. Waiting to hear if she is going to compete at the 2005 Canada Summer Games, Mackin is a strikeout pitcher who went 19-4 with three saves and 187 strikeouts in 145.0 innings for a 0.97 ERA a year ago.
"Robin is an outstanding pitcher and a student," Wright said. "With an outstanding work ethic she will come in and make a huge impact for our program. She is a pre-med student so she clearly understands commitment and going beyond limits. Robin is a very exciting player to watch and can play anywhere when not in the circle."
Nelson, who played summer ball for the Gold So Cal Breakers, is a right-hander out of Rancho Buena Vista High School. As a junior she garnered First Team All-CIF and All-Palomar League honors. Selected player of the week by the North County Times and Union Tribune during the year, Nelson helped her prep team to a runner-up finish at the CIF Division I Championship as she went 18-4 with 193 strikeouts last spring.
"Katie is a tremendously talented pitcher," Wright stated. "She has all the pitches and will have an immediate impact as well. She is very competitive and wants to become the best she can be. We can't wait for her to be a Bulldog.
Perkins, who has played for the Fresno Force since 12-unders, is a lefty who can run and slap. Out of Clovis West High School, she is a three-time First Team All-Tri City Athletic Conference pick. The two-time first team all-state pick batted .386 with 24 runs, nine RBI and 10 stolen bases as the leadoff hitter.
"Haley will be one of the most consistent and exciting players to watch in Fresno State history," Wright said. "She is quick and extremely versatile. An outstanding infielder, Haley can play anywhere. Her ability to get on base will bring an immediate positive to our offense.
Sherman, who played summer ball for Strikkers Gold, also hails out of Clovis West High School. A second team All-Tri City Athletic Conference selection a year ago, she batted .307 with 20 runs, 18 RBI and 10 stolen bases as the No. 3 batter in the line up.
"Kori is a great outfielder who I believe will come to this program and become a star," Wright said. "She has all the tools to be one of the best outfielders in Fresno State history. She has a burning desire to be a Bulldog. We can't wait for her to get here and become the best she can be."
