GNAC Softball

2013 Recruits

Simon Fraser

Clans Adds Three Players from British Columbia (11/24/11)

Three players from British Columbia - Rachel Proctor and Alana Pineault from Surrey and Nicole Ratel from Langley - have signed to player softball with Simon Fraser University.

Both Proctor and Pineault played with the very successful White Rock Renegade organization with Ratel coming out of the Fraser Valley Fusion organization.

"We know we are always getting quality recruits when they come from the Renegade organization which has an outstanding record of developing top end talent,” said SFU coach Mike Renney. “The Fraser Valley Fusion is relatively new to the local rep scene but of late has also begun to produce top quality athletes."

In addition to their skills on the field, Proctor and Pineault also bring a winning pedigree to the Clan having been a part of two British Columbia Championship teams as well as one Canadian Open International Championship team.

"I have been watching Rachel play for the past couple of years and would best describe her as a strong hitting outfielder,” said Renney. “She brings with her an outstanding attitude and enthusiasm for the game. She is a welcomed addition to our team who I expect will make her mark with us in the batter’s box where she shows outstanding potential.

“Alana will bring versatility with her ability to play a number of different infield positions and has shown good offensive potential as well. One thing that jumped out at me with Alana was her presence on the field was one of focus and determination, both ideal qualities we readily look for in our student-athletes."

Coach Renney is also high on Ratel's offensive potential. "Nicole's size (6-0) and athletic ability will make her an imposing figure both behind the plate and at bat. I have seen Nicole connect a few times with the result being a jog around the bases which I will look forward to seeing her do in a Clan uniform in the years to come."

Ratel also has a number of awards and championships under her belt, winning numerous MVP and top hitter honors at various tournaments.

Clan Adds Pitcher, Catcher from Alberta (11/22/11)

Simon Fraser is bringing in a new “battery” from Alberta for the 2012 season as pitcher Mackenzie Bender (St. Albert, AB) and catcher Annie Gogich (Ardrossan, AB) will join SFU next fall.

This past summer, SFU head coach Mike Renney took advantage of the opportunity to attend the Alberta Midget Provincial Championships where he scouted the two new recruits. Bender will be a welcome addition to the Clan pitching staff in 2012.

"Mackenzie has good size (5'10") for a pitcher and plays with the kind of attitude you want on the mound," said Renney.

"It is clear she does not like to lose. She is a good fielding pitcher which is no surprise because she is an all around athlete who can also hit for power. She not only had a presence on the mound but also was amoung her team's top offensive weapons."

In 2010, at the provincial championships, Bender threw a perfect game, fielding nine of the 11 balls hit. In the same game, she hit a grand slam.

In Annie Gogich, SFU adds a catcher that is also a strong outfielder. She brings a unique element to the Clan’s catching position in that she is left handed, which is rare amoung catchers.

"Annie caught my attention first as a hitter when she showed the ability to hit for both contact and power from the left side of the plate," added Renney. "As a rare left handed catcher, she plays the position well and uses her left-handed throw to catch straying baserunners off guard.

"I also was pleased with her versatility, demonstrated by her solid outfield play. She is a hard working athlete that will only get better."

Last season, Gogich hit .480 while recording 52 runs batted in and 10 home runs.

Western Washington

Vikings Sign Five Prep Standouts for 2013 Season (11/17/11)

Five talented high school seniors have signed national letters of intent during the early signing period to play softball at Western Washington University beginning next fall.

The quintet includes outfielder Lauren Bennett from Tustin, Calif.; second baseman/pitcher Emma Blauser from Federal Way, catcher/outfielder Taylor Clark from Tacoma, outfielder/first baseman Alexie Levin from Everett and first baseman/outfielder Jordan Walley from Maple Valley.

Bennett was a first-team all-Pacific Coast League selection and team MVP as a junior at Beckman High School , helping the Patriots to a third straight quarterfinal finish at the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs. She hit .429 with six home runs and 32 runs batted in. Bennett also was a first-team all-league pick as a sophomore and a second-team choice as a freshman.

Blauser was a second-team Tacoma News Tribune all-Area and all-South Puget Sound League choice as a junior at Todd Beamer High School . She also was named to the Federal City Mirror all-City team for the second straight year, finishing with a .405 batting average, four home runs, .716 slugging percentage, 17 stolen bases and 21 RBI.

Clark batted .475 with eight home runs and 28 RBI as a junior at Wilson High School . That earned her first-team TNT all-Area and Narrows League MVP honors.

Levin was a first-team Everett Herald all-Area pick as a junior at Everett High School , helping the Seagulls place sixth at the Class 3A state playoffs. She set nine school records in hitting, batting .360 and having nine home runs.

Walley was first-team all-South Puget Sound League North Division choice as junior at Tahoma High School . She helped the Bears tie for the league title and place seventh at the Class 4A state tournament, batting .575 and hitting a league and school-record eight home runs.

Previous Recruits