KU softball team adds JUCO transfers

By J-W Staff Reports     Jul 25, 2006

Kansas University softball coach Tracy Bunge has dipped into the junior college ranks to flesh out a roster depleted by the loss of six seniors.

Bunge has signed two players out of Odessa (Texas) College – infielder Stephanie McCaulley and first baseman-outfielder Addy Lucero.

McCaulley, a left-handed slap hitter, was a second-team NJCAA All-American as a freshman last spring after leading the West Texas Juco Conference with a .487 batting average.

A native of Victorville, Calif., McCaulley will have three years of eligibility with the Jayhawks.

McCaulley is expected to fill one of the middle infield spots that opened with the loss of shortstop Destiny Frankenstein and second baseman Jessica Moppin, both four-year starters.

“Stephanie brings much-needed speed as a lefty slapper, which we didn’t have in our lineup last spring,” Bunge said.

Lucero, a right-handed hitter from Farmington, N.M., compiled a .350 batting average in two seasons at Odessa with 26 doubles and 122 RBI. She will have two years of eligibility at KU.

Lucero compiled a .350 career batting average at Odessa. As a freshman in 2005, she earned third-team NJCAA All-America honors after hitting .374 with 84 RBI.

“Addy has the potential to play a number of positions,” Bunge said, “and will bring some pop. She can be an RBI hitter for us.”

Bunge has also signed four freshmen – outfielder Tracy Lubken of Scottsdale, Ariz.; infielder Sara Ramirez of Pacoima, Calif.; first baseman-outfielder Amanda Jobe from Shawnee Mission Northwest High; and pitcher Sarah Vertelka of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

In addition, infielders Amber Freeman of SM Northwest and Ali Stanton of Oakville, Mo., will join the Jayhawks as invited walk-ons.

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