Aug. 9, 2006

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State softball head coach Lana Richmond has announced the signing of Elise Sperakos (Nipomo, Calif.) and Jennifer Vasquez (Placentia, Calif.) to National Letters of Intent to compete for the Redhawks starting with the 2007 season.

Sperakos earned team MVP and Second Team All-Los Padres League honors as an outfielder at Nipomo High School, where she posted a .353 batting average in her senior season. She was also named team MVP during her junior season at NHS and has been playing with the Cal Lite, an American Softball Association (ASA) team this summer.

"Elise will add another dimension to our outfield," stated Richmond. "She plays the game a step ahead, making very good decisions on defense and delivers at the plate whether it be placing a sacrifice down or making solid contact. I expect Elise to contend for playing time in her freshman year."

Vasquez was a two-time All-Century League First Team selection at El Dorado High School, including this past season, where she hit .301 at the plate. In addition, she also earned all-league accolades after guided El Dorado to a second-place finish at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championship in 2005. She has been playing with Gold TeamSmith from the ASA this summer.

"Jennifer brings an athletic presence to our program and will provide many options to us defensively," said Richmond. "I am looking for Jen to impact our outfield, but she plays an outstanding middle infield and has experience at third base as well. She has gained valuable experience with TeamSmith by playing against Division I pitching throughout the national summer game circuit."

Sperakos and Vasquez join fellow signees Stacia Dopudja (Santa Margarita, Calif.), Sarah Estopare (Arnold, Mo.), Samantha Espiricueta (Belton, Mo.) and Alex Ramirez (Corona, Calif.) as newcomers to the Redhawks for 2007.