Emory Softball Announces Commitments For 2011-12 School Year

Emory head softball coach Penny Siqueiros has announced that the following student-athletes will be enrolling at Emory in the fall of 2011 and be competing for the 2012 Eagles’ softball program.

Micah Scharff (St Louis, MO/Ladue Horton Watkins HS)  -- Scharff joins the Emory program after a four-year career at Ladue Horton Watkins High School where she played for head coach Carol Cole.   A versatile performer, she logged action at shortstop and catcher throughout her prep career.  As a senior, she hit .667 en route to garnering all-state, all-district, and all-conference first-team honors.  Twenty four of  her 38 hits went for extra bases.  She was selected to the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch All- Metro First Team. 

She played travel ball for the St Louis Fusion Gold in 2010 including the ASA Gold National Tournament.  In 2011, Scharff will play for the St Louis Chaos Gold. 

"Micah is one of the most talented catchers to enter our Emory softball program” Siqueiros said.  “She is smart, has excellent game presence, a strong passion to win, tremendous poise, and is a total gamer.  I'm beyond excited Micah chose Emory, we love this kid."

Ellen Shapiro (Carmel, IN/Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory HS) – A four year standout at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory High School, she played for head coach Mike Welsh.  Shapiro was named team captain her junior and senior years.    She hit over .400 in all four seasons at Brebeuf and set a school record her junior campaign with a batting mark of .611 with .875 slugging  percentage.  She has captured honorable mention county honors all four years as chosen by the Indianapolis Star.

“Ellen has solid athletic abilities that if developed properly could propel her successfully into a competitive college career.”  Siqueiros said.  “Her desire to succeed in any given situation fits well into the model of our program.  She is a nice addition to our team and I personally look forward to working with her.” 

Ann Ryan (Oak Park, IL/River Forest HS) – Ryan comes to the Emory program after a fine career at River Forest High School where she played for head coach Mel Kolbusz.   Playing third base, she led the Huskies in RBIs during her junior season and helped the team to a sectional championship and a berth in the state class 4A quarter finals.  She earned West Suburban Silver Division All-Conference honors.  She is in the midst of her senior year and has been named team captain at River Forest.

She played travel ball for the Chicago Bulls/Sox Training Academy for four years and helped that team win the 2010 ASA Chicago Metro Championship along with a fourth-place finish in the 2009 16U NSA Nationals.  She is currently a member of the Elmwood Park Lady Tigers.

Ryan also was a four year letter winner in tennis.  During her senior year, she was named a co-captain and was a state tournament qualifier in doubles. 

"Ann is a wonderful young lady and I can't wait to work with her,” Siqueiros stated. “She is a very respectful person who carries herself in a manner that is reflective of what we expect in our young women.  Her athletic abilities are solid and, with her work ethic, she'll adapt very well to the demands of collegiate athletics.”

Moira Sullivan (Marietta, GA/Blessed Trinity HS) – Sullivan was a four-year starter at shortstop at Blessed Trinity High School where she played for head coach Jan Podhorez. She helped lead the Titans to a 2007 state championship.  She is a four-year all-state player as well as a four year first-team all region player.  In her final campaign as a prep performer, she broke five varsity records, three of which she already held.  Sullivan also lettered in soccer and started at left defender on her team’s state championship team. 

She has played travel ball for the Atlanta Vipers (Berry Team) the past three years and helped that club to a second place finish at the ASA “A” Nationals last year in College Station. Sullivan is playing U18 Gold this summer for the Atlanta Vipers – Berry team.

"Moira is a bulldog of a competitor who has excellent field awareness, speed, and knowledge of the game” Siqueiros said.  “She also wants to be the best of the rest, and that drive for excellence is incredibly inspirational to players around her.  I can't wait to coach this young lady."