Lady Yellowjackets Take Fall Softball to Kalispell (Oct. 17, 2003)

BILLINGS, MT – With four former Flathead High School standouts on the team, the MSU Billings softball team will trek to Kalispell this weekend for a Blue-White Scrimmage and a free youth clinic.  The Yellowjackets will hold their second Blue-White game of the fall on Sunday beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the KYSA fields across from Flathead Valley Community College.  Head coach Jeff Aumend along with his staff and players will hold a free players’ clinic from 11:30 to 12:30.

Freshmen Caitlin and Natalie Luehr join juniors Sara Hanley and Jordan Waverek on the growing list of Flathead alum who wear Yellowjacket Blue and Yellow. 

“Having four of our sixteen players from Kalispell is indicative of our appreciation for the softball that is played in the Flathead Valley,” said Aumend.  “We will continue to recruit that area as the softball continues to grow.”

Hanley has been a mainstay in the Yellowjacket lineup.  A star third basemen for Flathead HS, she graduated in 2000 as one of the school’s all-time single-season RBI leaders.  Hanley played in 29 of the Jackets’ 35 games last season, starting 28.  She hit .239 for the season with seven extra base hits, 16 RBI and 12 runs scored.  From her right field position, where she has developed good range, she made 23 putouts and one assist with just one error for a .960 fielding percentage.

“Sara was a steal for us when we recruited her,” said Aumend of Hanley who joined the program in the spring of its first season.  “I saw her play in a tournament in Spokane and couldn’t believe that she hadn’t signed with anybody.  She’s a natural hitter with power and she’s a hard worker.  She’s been one of our clutch RBI leaders the past two seasons and has worked hard to sharpen her game in the outfield.”

Waverek, who was a standout pitcher for the Bravettes, made five appearances last season and pitched 17.1 innings.  She played in 15 games overall, batting .188 in 16 at bats with four runs scored and two RBI. 

“Jordan is the classic pitcher who was pigeon-holed at that position in high school,” said Aumend of Waverek, who will redshirt this season.  “Her team needed her and she was one of the best pitchers in the state.  We like to think of her as more versatile.  She’s one of our fastest outfielders and she’s really improved dramatically as a hitter.  Her best years are ahead of her.  As a pitcher, she has become much more diverse and she’s going to make an impact.”

The Luehr twins helped lead Flathead to a 20-6 record and a Class AA state title last year with a 7-2 win over Missoula Sentinel in the championship game.  Caitlin was a defensive leader at third base while Natalie was the battery mate of Gatorade Player of the Year, pitcher Chelsey Lorenz. 

“I hate categorizing twins with the same tags because they’re each their own person,” said Aumend.  “However, both are hard workers and committed to team.  Caitlin will get in the face of the bunter at third base and challenge the offense.  Natalie is versatile, not only as a catcher with a strong arm, but she is also refining her outfield skills as well.  Both are coming along as hitters, which usually takes at least a year at the college level because of better breaking pitches.”

The Yellowjackets will play at the North Idaho College Tournament in Coeur d Alene on Saturday before traveling to Kalispell for Sunday’s scrimmage.  They will return to Cenex Stadium October 25 for the Yellowjacket Fall Invitational.  Dawson CC and club teams from Wyoming and Weber State are expected to attend.