Dec. 5, 2002

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri softball team has signed seven players to National Letters of Intent, as announced by Head Coach Ty Singleton on Thursday. The new signees, which comprise Singleton's first recruiting class at Mizzou, will enroll next fall and join the 2004 Tiger softball roster.

Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) is a three-time all-state selection and a four-time all-conference team member. She led the St. Louis area in home runs as a senior with 10 and helped Seckman High School to a second-place finish in the state playoffs. Bowers is also a four-year letterwinner in basketball and track. She is a member of the National Honor Society, ranking third in her class of 332.

Allison Kennewell (Eden Prairie, Minn.) was a team captain as a senior for Eden Prairie High, leading the team to the state championship. She was a three-year letterwinner and was an all-conference selection twice. As a senior, she won the Gold Glove Award and was named to the all-state tournament team. Kennewell has also been awarded the Academic Achievement Award and is a member of the National Honors Society.

Kerri Lamkin finished her career as a four-year starter for Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis. In 2001, she was the team MVP and was selected to the all-league first team and also captured all-district honors. She helped her team to the state semifinals in 1999 and 2000 and was named team captain as a senior. Lampkin was also recognized with academic honors at Incarnate Word.

Kathy Masterson, from Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis, is a three-time selection to the all-conference team and a three-time member of the all-district team. She helped her team to back-to-back sectional championships in 2001 and 2002. Masterson, who ranks first in her class, is a member of the National Honor Society and has received high honors all four years at Cor Jesu.

Micaela Minner, a two-time all-state selection, is currently a senior at Sanger (Texas) High School. She was the District 9-3A co-offensive MVP as a sophomore and was the district offensive MVP her junior season. Minner was also a member of the North Texas Storm, which placed 17th at the ASA Nationals last July. She ranks third academically in her class and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Erica Peterson is a senior at Coppell (Texas) High School. She led Coppell to the state championship as a sophomore, as she hit .347 at the plate and had a 6-0 record and 0.45 ERA as a pitcher during the championship series. That championship team also finished third nationwide in the final USA Today/NFCA poll. Peterson is also a member of the National Honor Society and was recognized by Who's Who Among American High School Students.

Sarah Stringer is a senior at nearby North Callaway High School. She batted .564 with 26 runs scored and 34 stolen bases during her senior season. For her career, she hit .430 and had 105 stolen bases. In each of her last two years, Stringer was recognized as the Central Missouri Player of the Year.

"We are very excited about this class," Singleton said. "All of these student-athletes are winners both on the field and in the classroom. Each one of these young ladies has the character, desire and work ethic to strive towards excellence on a daily basis."