Four Players Sign with Alabama Softball
11/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TUSCALOOSA ?? University of Alabama head softball coach Patrick Murphy announced on Tuesday that four players have signed a national letter of intent to play for the Crimson Tide.
The class features two Alabama players from Vestavia Hills in Catherine Dozier and Whitney Larsen as well as a player of the year from Florida, Kelsi Dunne (Port Orange, Fla.), and a district MVP from Texas, Amanda Locke (Mesquite, Texas).
“All three coaches are extremely pleased that we got two in-state kids and two out-of-state kids,” said Murphy. “With the four of them together we met our goals of what we wanted. All four come from great families and are good students.”
Dozier and Larsen both played under Jennifer Brown at Vestavia Hills High School. The two players helped lead their squad to second place 6A State Tournament in 2005 and 2006. Dozier is an infielder and was named the team’s Defensive MVP as a freshman as well as the Vestavia Hills Best Freshman Athlete. She claimed the Offensive MVP award as a sophomore and was named Birmingham News Co-Player of the Year. She was also named to the Super All-Metro team, 6A All-Metro team, Super All-State team and 6A All-State team by the Birmingham News. She also played club softball for the Alabama Vipers and won the ASA and NSA State Championships in 2004, the ASA State Championship in 2001 and the USFA World Series Championship in 2000.
Larsen plays middle infield and outfield. She was named the team’s Defensive MVP in both her sophomore and junior seasons. She earned the Cooper Ray Award for outstanding freshman athlete and the Rising Rebel Award her freshman year. She also shined on the basketball court, leading her team to the state semifinals two years in a row. She was the basketball team’s Defensive MVP as a junior. She was also a member of the Birmingham Vipers that placed fifth in the nation in 2006.
“The young ladies from Vestavia Hills are two great student-athletes and two of the better athletes in the state,” Murphy said. “Both were targeted early in their careers and fortunately for us they picked Alabama. We can look for great things from them in the next four years.”
Dunne attended Spruce Creek High School and was a pitcher and first baseman. Last season she led her team to the 6A State Championship game and to a 26-5 record. She earned numerous accolades in 2006, including the Gatorade Florida Softball Player of the Year, the Florida Dairy Farmers “Miss Softball” Player of the Year, the Florida Dairy Farmers 6A Softball Player of the Year, EA Softball first team High School All-American, Daytona Beach News-Journal Player of the Year, Volusia/Flagler Orlando Sentinel Player of the Year and Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida Player of the year and Wendy’s High School National Heisman nominee. She set school records with 461 strikeouts and 24 shutouts in 2006. She also pitched nine no-hitters. Dunne also played club softball with Team FLA 18 Gold and competed in the 18 Gold Nationals the last two years. She was the 2006 Florida ASA Player of the Year.
“When we saw Dunne pitch we knew she was the one we really wanted,” said Murphy. “She has great skills as a pitcher this early in her career. She is very polished and the potential is incredible with her. She pitched from 43 feet in high school so she has two years of practice on throwing from the college distance which is going to be a big bonus for us when she steps in as a freshman.”
Locke is a pitcher and first baseman at North Mesquite High School. She led her squad to the Region II Area Championship and in to the playoffs in each of the last three years. She was named to the All-Dallas-Fort Worth first tea, was the 5A District 12 MVP and the North Mesquite MVP in 2006. As a freshman she also earned the North Mesquite MVP and was selected to the 5A All-District 12 first team. She also plays for the Texas Glory Gold club team, which competed in the 2006 ASA Gold Nationals and was the 2005 TAAF State Champions.
“Locke was one of the top power hitters we saw all summer and has tremendous potential as a pitcher,” said Murphy. “She is going to be another two-way player for us.”
Alabama will start its 2007 season Feb. 9-11 when they travel to San Marcos, Texas for the Texas State Tournament.
