Softball team signs juco stars

June 3, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7260

Head Evangel University softball coach Jerry Breaux has announced his first two recruits for the 2009 season and both are transfer students. Joining the 2009 team are juniors Brooke Bell (catcher) and Kendra Corbin (outfielder/pitcher).

Bell comes to Evangel from Pratt (Kans.) Community College, where she started at catcher the past two seasons. During the 2007 and 2008 campaigns. Bell earned all-region and all-conference honors., She hit at a .424 pace and had a .600 slugging average. Bell totaled 53 hits, 35 RBIs, 14 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 10 stolen bases. Behind the Plate, Bell made just four mistakes and finished her junior college career with a .972 fielding average. The Herington, Kans., product also earned membership into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs.

"Brooke is the kind of player we look to recruit," stated Breaux. "She is a serious and talented player with the experience and background to be a difference-maker. Brooke is a very experienced catcher and will help lead our pitching staff. In addition, she is a very dedicated student and does an excellent job in the classroom as evidenced by her outstanding GPA. We welcome Brook into our school and softball program and feel confident she will help us continue our winning ways and championship tradition."

Corbin transfers to Evangel from Howard College in Big Springs, Texas. At Howard, Corbin was a two-year starter as an outfielder and pitcher. Corbin earned all-conference honors during her two-year stay at Howard and also won the Sophomore and the Team MVP Awards. Corbin was Howard's lead-off batter and she will also take on that role at Evangel. As a two-year starter, Corbin had a .472 batting average and a .830 slugging average. She totaled 50 hits, 18 doubles, four triples, four home runs and had 23 RBIs even though she missed 10 games with a hand injury.

Corbin, who hails from Andrews, Texas, also excelled as a student, winning several academic awards. She was honored with membership into Phi Beta Kappa, and was a member of the Dean List, the All-Texas Academic Team and the USA Today All-America Academic Team. Corbin also was included in the Who's Who Among Junior College Students publication and won the American Legion Citizenship Award and was honored as the Psychology Student of the Year.

"Kendra is a model student-athlete and person," Breaux said. "She is a serious and talented player and a diligent, dedicated student. Kendra's accomplishments both on the field and in the classroom speak for themselves. On the field she is a dynamic player who can make things happen and will contribute immediately. Kendra is a natural leader with an outstanding work ethic. We are excited to have her at Evangel University for school and softball."

The 2008 Lady Crusaders celebrated the 20th anniversary of Evangel softball with another banner season. Under the direction of Breaux, who began his 15th year in 2008, Evangel won its ninth Heart of America Athletic Conference championship - the most by any EU team - and its fifth straight title. Breaux's team also advanced to the NAIA Region V Tournament for the ninth overall and fifth consecutive season, finishing with a 28-18 record.