Nov. 11, 2009

WACO -

Baylor softball head coach Glenn Moore announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent Wednesday. The class, made up entirely of high school athletes, includes four players from three different states.

"This class may even be more than we had anticipated," Moore said. "We had planned to sign two, but have ended up with four very good athletes. This class is different than previous years because of the emphasis on power. We have three power hitters in this group with the fourth being very capable as well. We have good athletes and good students. Without a doubt, this class will carry on the winning tradition of Baylor Softball. "

The signing class includes the following players: Clare Hosack (C; Palm Beach, Calif.; William T. Dwyer HS), Chelsea Kovich (OF; Missouri City, Texas; Elkins HS) Liz Paul (RHP; Sugar Land, Texas; Clements HS) and Shelbi Redfearn (OF; Stillwater, Okla.; Stillwater HS).

Clare Hosack, C, Palm Beach, Fla.
Hosack is a three-year letterwinner from William T. Dwyer High School where she has led her team to back-to-back district championships, including a regional championship in 2008. She is a 2009 first-team all-area selection by the Palm Beach Post and has been an honorable mention all-state in each of the last three seasons. She is also a standout on the basketball court where she was named an ESPN Rise player to watch.

"Clare stood out at the ASA 16U Nationals in Sioux Falls, SD this past summer," Moore said. "She caught for one of the top programs on the east coast, the Gold Coast Hurricanes. Even as a senior in high school, I can safely say she will have the strongest arm of any Baylor catcher in the past 10 years. Clare is a great looking athlete and will be intimidating in a Baylor uniform."

Chelsea Kovich, OF, Missouri City, Texas
Kovich has lettered each of the last three seasons at Elkins High School where her team has won three consecutive district championships. Her team was ranked 16th on the preseason ESPN Fab 50. Kovich has named first-team all-district each of the last three seasons, including first-team all-region in 2008 and Texas Sports Writers Association honorable mention all-state in 2008. Hit .448 with four home runs with Elkins in 2009, and this past summer, hit .350 with five home runs as a member of Texas Magic Gold.

"A triple threat player, Chelsea is very serious about her game and expects to perform," Moore said. "She is fast and she can do both short game or long ball. There isn't much that will drop around her in the outfield either. As a former teammate of Courtney Repka, Holly Holl and Liz Paul she will join a team that should have great chemistry."

Liz Paul, RHP, Sugar Land, Texas
Paul was named District 23-5A Newcomer of the Year and second-team all-greater Houston in 2008 for Clements High School. In 2009, she was the district MVP, first-team all-greater Houston, TGCA all-state and TSWA first-team all-state. Last season, Paul hit .489 with three home runs and 37 RBI, but was even more stellar in the circle, going 31-5 with a 0.88 ERA and 245 strikeouts. Plays club for Aces Express Gold.

"The more we see this kid, the more we like her," Moore said. "A fourth generation Baylor Bear, Liz is another student from the Tim Timmons School of pitching. Others include current Lady Bear Courtney Repka and former southpaw, Cristin Vitek. She has tremendous ball movement and also swings the bat with authority."

Shelbi Redfearn, OF, Stillwater, Okla.
Redfearn is a four-year letterwinner from Stillwater High School. She was named 2009-10 first-team all-state and first-team all-region as well as Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Year. She was the Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2008-09, and first-team all-conference in 2007-08. The Pioneers were regional champions during her freshman and sophomore campaigns, making the state tournament. This past summer, with Tulsa Elite Gold, she hit .443 with 13 home runs, 57 RBI and 21 stolen bases.

"One of the most recruited athletes in country this past summer, Shelbi will immediately address our need for more power," Moore said. "She hit a lot of home runs last summer and her swing will tell you why. She gets her money's worth and can hit Ashley Monceaux (former Lady Bear first baseman) type bombs. Playing very aggressive in the outfield, she is the first on the field and the first off each inning."

The Lady Bears will open the 2010 season when they travel to the Marriott Houston Hobby Classic from Feb. 12-14.