Heather Lindsay, of Columbia, headlines a list of three hurlers who will begin reaching their dream of having collegiate softball careers as members of the Blue Storm beginning in the 2009 campaign.
The Eagles No. 3 pitcher when she finished 0-2 this past spring, Lindsay is a lefthander with the full assortment of pitches according to Bernal who also signed Samantha Koelmel, of Centralia, and Kelsey Hankins, from Altamont.
The Blue Storm finished 18-20 during the 2008 season.
"You can never have enough pitching and especially for us because we play so many games in a short period of time," Bernal said. "We really need a full pitching staff."
"Heather is a quality pitcher and I like the fact that she is lefthanded because it gives hitters a different look."
Koelmel, a hard-throwing righthander was the Annies ace this past season. Bernal said she got wind of Koelmel when former she got an e-mail from one of her former players -- Becky Sommer.
"Becky is the junior varsity coach out there (Centralia) and she contacted me to let me know that there wasn't anybody in on Samantha and she (Sommer) thought she could help us," Bernal said. "I've seen her pitch a couple of times and have been impressed.
"Samantha has a better then average fastball and curve ball and she's got an awesome changeup. I expect her to move right into the (pitching) rotation and be successful."
Also expected to help on the mound is Hankins, who visited several other junior colleges before choosing SWIC. Bernal has yet to see Hankins pitch.
"Again I got a call from her (Hankins) coach at Altamont. I've been told that she has a good fastball and that she has all the pitches," Bernal said. "Alot of time I'll take the word of the high school coaches. They're not going to steer me wrong."
Bernal also announced Kari Jo Krebs, of Carlyle, has also signed to play for the Blue Storm. Krebs is a versatile player who will complete for playing time at all three outfield spots.
Contact reporter Dean Criddle at 239-2665 or dcriddle@bnd.com.
