Jacket SB Signs Vegas Outfielder (5/30/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State University Billings assistant softball coach Cori Thiermann announced Tuesday that Cherish Allen-Jones has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Yellowjackets.  The Las Vegas native will graduate in June from Palo Verde High School.

“We are extremely excited to have Cherish join the Yellowjackets,” said Thiermann.  “She is versatile at the plate.  She can hit for power and slap from both sides of the plate.  She also has speed on the bases as well as in the outfield.  Cherish will make an immediate impact on the team.  We are looking forward to helping Cherish develop her full potential.”

Allen-Jones lettered in softball and tennis at Palo Verde.  She earned all-state second team honors as a junior centerfielder when she helped the Panthers to the league championship.  She hit over .350 during her senior season.  In tennis, Allen-Jones was a two-time regional champion and a state runner up.

“I chose MSUB because it’s a small school located in a beautiful area,” said Allen-Jones.  “I’m not too far away from home so I can see my family.  Also, MSUB offers my intended majors.”

The Yellowjackets recently completed the second winning season in the program’s seven-year history.  They will move from the Heartland Conference, where they finished third this season, to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference next season.