KIRKSVILLE - - Truman softball head coach Erin Brown has announced the signing of five student-athletes who will be joining the Bulldog program next spring. Kelsea Dorsey, Andrea Klipsch, Elizabeth Leath, Ally McReynolds and Cate Simon will all stay in-state to continue their playing careers in Kirksville.
P Kelsea Dorsey
5-foot-3; Clarksville, Mo. (Clopton HS)
Dorsey, a two-time state champion for head coach Matt Cannon at Clopton High School, started all four years on the way to four-time first-team all-conference, all-district and all-region accolades. In the 2010 Class 1 state championship game, Dorsey gave up just three hits, struck out nine and didn't give up an earned run in her team's 2-1 victory. She was named first-team all-state in each of her final two years and set a state record with 20 strikeouts in a seven innings as a junior. She also played in the Missouri all-star game following a senior year that saw her post a 20-5 record with a 0.66 ERA.
Kelsea is the daughter of Mark and Lori Dorsey and intends to study Physical Therapy/Speech Pathology at Truman.
Coach Brown on Dorsey: “We are thrilled to have Kelsea joining our pitching staff this year. She is a competitor on the mound and at the plate. Kelsea has great command of her pitches and has the ability to strike batters out by mixing speeds well. We feel she will contribute immediately.”
UT Andrea Klipsch (Klip-sh)
5-foot-6; St. Louis, Mo. (Lindbergh HS)
Klipsch was a four-year starter and letterwinner for head coach Darin Scott at Lindbergh High School, where she hit 17 career homeruns. As a senior, Klipsch batted .462 with a 1.403 OPS behind seven homeruns and 12 doubles. She drove in 37 RBI in her senior season, leading to a second-team all-state selection. For her career, she was a three-time all-conference and all-district pick and was named Academic all-state in both softball and basketball.
Andrea is the daughter of Jaime and Lisa Klipsch and intends to major in International Business at Truman.
Coach Brown on Klipsch: “We look forward to Andrea joining our program next year. She is a true utility player, playing many positions throughout her high school and select ball careers. She had great success this past fall in high school, and we look forward to her continued success here at Truman.”
IF Elizabeth Leath
5-foot-8; St. Charles, Mo. (Francis Howell Central HS)
Leath hit .552 with eight homeruns as a senior infielder for head coach Brenda Ellison at Francis Howell Central in 2010, earning first-team all-Metro, all-district and all-conference honors. She started and lettered all four seasons, picking up district and conference honors each of her final three seasons. She was named to the GAC all-Academic team while also swimming all four years.
Elizabeth is the daughter of Charles and Nancy Leath and intends to study Secondary Education at Truman.
Coach Brown on Leath: “We are excited to have Elizabeth joining our team next year. She is a great hitter and is very versatile in the field. She is strong, has the potential to put up power numbers, and does well in pressure situations. We feel she will have a successful career here.”
2B Ally McReynolds
5-foot-9; Eureka, Mo. (Eureka HS)
McReynolds was a four-year starter for head coach Mark Mosley at Eureka High School, earning first-team all-conference, all-district and all-region honors as a senior. She batted .500 and turned in an OPS of 1.158 in her final year, in which she also picked up second-team Academic all-state accolades. McReynolds also lettered and started in both Lacrosse and Basketball, earning first-team all-conference Lacrosse honors.
Ally is the daughter of Rick and Kathleen McReynolds and intends to major in Elementary Education at Truman. Her father, Rick, played football at Truman (then-Northeast Missouri State), lettering three times in the late 1970s.
Coach Brown on McReynolds: “Ally plays with intensity, is scrappy and gives full effort on every play. She can play middle infield or outfield and bats left-handed, which is nice to mix into the lineup. She is a very hard worker, and we look forward to her bringing that intensity to our team next year.”
3B Cate Simon
5-foot-9; O'Fallon, Mo. (Fort Zumwalt South HS)
Simon was a four-year starter and letterwinner for head coach Kelly O'Bryan at Fort Zumwalt South High School. As a senior, Simon drove in 30 RBI, hit .476 and earned second-team all-state along with first-team all-conference, all-district and all-region accolades. She was named academic all-conference each of her four years and had just one season where she hit worse than .370. Her team won a sectional championship in 2009 before repeating as conference champions in 2010.
Cate is the daughter of Bill and Missy Simon-Bonsack and is undecided on her major at Truman.
Coach Brown on Simon: “Cate is a very solid and well-rounded player. She's strong and quick in the field. Cate has a good bat and can hit for power. She is definitely a gamer, and we can't wait to see her in a Truman uniform.”
