Aug. 22, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – (Friday, August 22, 2008) Redhawks head softball coach Lana Richmond has announced the addition of Redhawks great Michelle Summers to her coaching staff for the upcoming season. Summers joins sixth-year assistant coach Jeannine Soncini to round out the team’s coaching staff.

“I’m really excited to continue to be a part of the Redhawks softball program,” said Summers. “this is a tremendous opportunity for me and I want to thank Coach Richmond and Southeast Missouri State for allowing me to follow my dream.”

Summers is the career leader in seven offensive categories including homeruns and RBIs

Summers, a native of Glendale, California played for the Redhawks this past season after coming to Cape Girardeau as a freshman in 2004. She was a four-time All-OVC selection including being named to the All-OVC First Team three times including her final two seasons.

One of the OVC’s most prolific power-hitters in history she finished with a team-high 13 homeruns this past season which tied for third in the OVC standings. It was her fourth-straight season hitting 10 or more homeruns in her career as she owns the school’s career record with 48 homeruns. The 13 homeruns ranks second on the all-time list as she owns four of the top-five single season homerun marks including the No. 1 spot with 14 homeruns during the 2007 season.

She batted a career-high .376 in 2008 which was third in the OVC behind teammate Megan McDonald. She feasted on OVC pitchers as she batted a team-best .386 and hit nine of her 13 homeruns against her conference foes. She led the team with 39 runs, 114 total bases (a new school record), .472 on base percentage and a .691 slugging percentage. Her 13 doubles and 21 walks were second on the team. She also led the team and the OVC with 20 multi-hit games on the year.

She owns seven school records in career at bats (670), runs (161), doubles (47), homeruns (48), RBIs (132), walks (80) and total bases (423). She ranks second in hits (228), games played (208), games started (208), hit by pitch (24) and slugging (.631) while ending her career with a .340 average which ranks sixth all-time.

She continued her hot-hitting this summer as she was named First Team All-American while playing in the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) Women’s Open.

“I’m very pleased to have Michelle as a part of our coaching staff,” said Coach Richmond. “She wants to explore a career in coaching and this presents her the opportunity to gain valuable experience at the Division I level.”

Summers duties will include assisting the team in defensive assignments and hitting. Her additional duties include scouting and administrative work.