Eagles sign four Floridians
Florida Gulf Coast University softball coach David Deiros is pleased that four South Florida players have signed National Letters-of-Intent with the Eagles for the 2010 season.
The Eagles fashioned a 48-16 record and tied for a share of the Atlantic Sun regular season championship last season.
The signees include Cape Coral’s Mariah Fernandez (1B/OF), out of North Fort Myers High School; infielder Erin Olson of Naples; pitcher Stephanie Sullivan of Venice; and shortstop Tiffani Upchurch of Lake Wales.
“Our primary recruiting philosophy always has been to take care of the players in our backyard first-the players growing up in FGCU’s service area,” said Deiros. “I believe we have gotten three of our area’s finest graduates to commit to continue their educations and playing careers for their hometown team. In addition, our entire infield, along with a three-year starting pitcher and catcher, graduate in 2009, which means we needed to replace them with solid players who could be counted on to compete right away at a high level. I believe we have addressed most of those openings with these four players.”
Fernandez is a three-sport athlete for the Red Knights — softball, soccer, and volleyball.
Olson is a two-sport athlete and team captain at Barron Collier High.
Sullivan is a three-year starter for Venice.
Upchurch is a three-year starter at Lake Wales High, which won the Class 4A State Championship in 2007.
The Eagles open the 2009 season in Tampa on Feb. 6.