April 13, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State softball head coach Lana Richmond has announced the signing of Whitney Dupuis to a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Redhawks beginning with the 2007-08 school year. She joins Allie Borowiak and Leigh Leonard, who signed with Southeast in November during the NCAA's early signing period.

"Whitney throws in the low 60's and has command of her movement pitches. What stood out for us are her competitive drive and her work ethic to continually be the best athlete," said Richmond. "She has faced great competition and is ready for the challenge at the Division I level as a starting pitcher. We are delighted to have her as a Redhawk next fall."

Dupuis, a native of Sulphur, La., is a three-time First Team All-Southwest Louisiana and All-District honoree as a pitcher for Sulphur High School, while earning All-State honors from Louisiana High School Athletic Coaches Association in her sophomore year. She has tallied an 18-4 record, a 0.92 ERA, 239 strikeouts, 12 shutouts and a pair of perfect games this season. In addition, Dupuis is hitting .378 at the plate with eight doubles, six triples and two home runs while posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Dupuis helped the Texas Impact Gold team finish fourth in the 2005 American Softball Association (ASA) National Finals and place second at the Colorada Fireworks Tournament last summer in addition to winning the AFA 12-and-under national title as a member of the Orange Crush in 2001.

In addition to playing softball, Dupuis claimed All-District honors for the Sulphur volleyball team in her first two years of high school, while accumulating a 3.85 grade point average in the classroom during her prep career.