Nov. 16, 2006

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State softball head coach Lana Richmond has recently announced the signing of Allie Borowiak and Leigh Leonard to National Letters of Intent to compete for the Redhawks beginning with the 2007-08 school year.

Borowiak was captured All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference and All-Region 24 first team honors last season as a utility player at John A. Logan College, where she posted a .350 batting average at the plate. She also captured team Defensive Player of the Year and All-Metro Conference accolades in all four years at Nashville (Ill.) High School.

"We recruited Allie for her ability to play multiple positions. She has caught, played the corner and the outfield. Allie also brings in two years of collegiate experience," said Richmond. "She comes from an athletic family (father Mike played football at Murray State and brother Zach was the starting shortstop at Southeast). Allie will make a solid impact to our program and her versatility will be an asset since we are graduating a multi-dimensional player in Stephanie Mata."

Leonard tallied 17 wins as a pitcher for Marshall County (Ky.) High School last season, which includes a 14-3 ledger in region play, with 156 strikeouts and a 1.65 ERA. She earned All-Region 1 honors as a junior and led her team with a .340 batting average in 2005. Leonard also guided the Clarksville Patriots (Ky.) travel team to a National runner-up finish at the 2005 NSFA World Series in Gulfport, Miss., where she produced a one-hitter in the semifinals.

"We are very proud to have the caliber of Leigh Leonard. She has a ton of potential at a very athletic 5-10 and we feel her best is coming in a Redhawk uniform," Richmond stated. "Leigh throws hard, is consistent with her pitches and she can play other positions as well. Leigh is a quality student earning academic scholarship recognition at Southeast. She is a great fit for our program and we are definitely looking forward to having her."