July 20, 2007

Tulsa Native Bernal Signs With PSU Softball

     PITTSBURG -- Pittsburg State University head softball coach Brad Horky announced today (July 20) that Maria Bernal has signed a national letter of intent to join the Gorillas for the 2008 season.
     Bernal, a 5-foot-2 third baseman, will have junior eligibility for Pitt State next spring, after completing two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Okla.
    The Tulsa native earned third-team NJCAA All-American and first-team All-Region honors while helping the Lady Norse to a 54-7 record and an appearance in the NJCAA World Series this past spring. Bernal hit .408 with three HRs, 35 RBIs and nine stolen bases on the season, helping NEO finish fourth nationally. As a freshman in 2006, she hit .321 with 19 RBIs and eight stolen bases, helping NEO to a 42-13 reord.
    She was a four-time All-Conference performer at Tulsa’s Union High School (2002-05).
    “Obviously, we’re extremely excited to have Maria join our program,” Horky said. “She was one of the most highly-recruited third basemen in the area so we’re fortunate to have her commit to the Gorillas. She’s a veteran player with tremendous talent and great experience from two trips to the juco World Series. We expect her to be an immediate impact player for us both offensively and defensively.”
    Bernal is the fifth player to sign with Pitt State for the 2008 season. Sonya Beach, a 5-foot-7 pitcher/utility player from Bixby (Okla.) High School, Haley Deaton, a 5-foot-9 shortstop from Grove (Okla.) High School and Alycia Fivecoats, a 5-foot-6 outfielder from Bixby High School, all signed with the Gorillas during the early period in November, while Jenanne Wilson, a 5-foot-9 outfelder from Cowley County Community College, inked with the Gorillas in late June.

2007-08 Pitt State Softball Recruits
Sonya Beach, 5-7, P/UT, Bixby, Okla./Bixby High School
Maria Bernal, 5-2, 3B, Tulsa, Okla./Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
Haley Deaton, 5-9, SS, Grove, Okla./Grove High School
Alycia Fivecoats, 5-6, OF, Bixby, Okla./Bixby High School
Jenanne Wilson, 5-9, OF, Lenexa, Kan./Cowley County Community College