Drury University

Drury softball coach Annie Medico has announced the signing of six high school standouts to join the Panthers starting with the 2010-11 season.

Making up the incoming class next fall are three from the Ozarks - Courtney deRonde, an infielder from Nixa; Brooklyn Ballowe, an infielder from Ozark; and EmiLee Davis, a catcher from Monett; as well as three players from the St. Louis area - infielder/outfielder Betsy Toalson of Lutheran South; Caitlin Krebs, a pitcher from Rockwood Summit High School; and Brittany Smith, an outfielder from Seckman High.

"We believe all six have the potential to be very good players for us as we continue to build our young program at Drury," Medico says.

*deRonde hit .376 with 13 doubles, 38 runs, 7 homers, 38 RBIs and 30 stolen bases this season, earning Second Team All-Central Ozark Conference and first team all-district honors as she helped Nixa to its first Central Ozark Conference title in 10 years and first district crown since 1980.

"Courtney was the backbone of her high school team and a huge reason why they were so successful," Medico says. "She is very athletic, a proven winner, and she will be able to contribute in many ways. Courtney adds power to our lineup and will add depth to the infield. She has played in some big games in her career and will have no problem adjusting to the college game."

*Davis, the cousin of current DU pitcher Brittany Davis, was named her team's MVP while earning all-district and All-Big Eight Conference First Team recognition. She established school record for most hits in a season as well as new MHS marks for most hits in a career, most doubles in a season and most runners caught stealing. She hit .425 with 34 hits, 16 RBis and 14 stolen bases, striking out just eight times in 80 at-bats last fall.

"EmiLee is a great kid who is very competitive," Medico says. "She is small in stature, but has a very strong arm and receives the ball very well. Fortunately she has had the chance to catch a lot of innings and gained a lot of experience. EmiLee is an extremely hard worker who is constantly trying to improve her game and is a leader by example. She has the ability to contribute in many ways and I know she will work hard to find success at this level."

*Ballowe helped Ozark's Lady Tigers to three district titles and a fourth-place finish in Class 4 in 2007. She was a First Team All-COC choice last season after hitting .274 with 13 RBIs and a .682 on-base percentage.

"Brooklyn plays the infield, but is a very versatile player who can play almost any position," Medico says. "She is truly a great kid who will do whatever is asked of her and whatever she can to help the team. She has good skills, a great arm, a good swing and is a fundamentally sound athlete.I look forward to working with her and helping her reach her full potential. She will add depth to many positions and will definitely be able to contribute in a lot of ways."

*Toalson was the only Lutheran South player to be named team MVP each of her four seasons, earning all-district and all-conference selections each season as well. She broke the Missouri prep record for assists with 78 in 2006 and topped that with 81 in her senior season of 2009.

"Betsey is a very talented athlete who can play many positions in both the infield and outfield," Medico says. "She is a very passionate player who has an outstanding work ethic that can be seen every time she steps on the field. She is a very versatile player who can also hit from the left side, which is an immediate need for us."

*Krebs was named the team MVP for Rockwood Summit, where she also captured the school's Gold Scholar-Athlete Award. A first team all-conference choice, she was 9-2 with a 0.58 ERA as a senior, when she struck out 117 in 73 innings pitched and posted a 0.82 WHIP.

"Caitlin is a great pitcher who throws hard and knows how to get batters out," Medico says. "She is a solid pitcher who attacks the zone and works hard every pitch. She has improved greatly over the past two years, and I know that her best is still yet to come. She has a great presence on the mound and I think she will do well at this level."

*Smith had a strong four-year career at Seckman High, where last season she hit .338 with 18 runs, two homers and 15 RBIs with a .574 slugging percentage. She was a four-time, first team all-district, all-conference and all-region honoree, and as a senior, broke the state record for doubles in a career.

"Brittany is a very solid player who gets the job done on a consistent basis," Medico says. "She is an outstanding lefty hitter who can hit for power to all fields. Defensively, she is a standout centerfielder with great speed and a great arm. Brittany is the type of player who leads by example, loves to play and will do whatever it takes to win. She comes from an outstanding summer ball program with the St. Louis Chaos that plays at a very high level. Brittany will make an immediate impact and her great work ethic will help her to succeed at this level."

Drury is coming off an injury-plagued 2008 season that saw the depleted Panthers finish with a 14-40 record in their second season of competition. The Panthers open the season February 5-6 by hosting the Drury Spring Classic at Thompson Field.