KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Truman State Softball Head Coach Ron Ferrill has signed three players during the NCAA Signing period. Abbie Danchus (Wentzville, Mo.), Sofia Birkenholz (St. Charles, Mo.) and Lily Arndt (Troy, Mo.) have each signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Bulldogs.
Abbie Danchus – Wentzville, Mo./St. Dominic High School
Danchus had a high school career batting average of .355 with 107 runs batted in, 13 home runs and 40 doubles while being a varsity starter for four seasons. She earned all-State, all-District and All-conference honors multiple times and was both a Max Preps and St. Louis Post-Dispatch player of the week award recipient. St. Dominic won 13 of their last 14 games to finish 22-5 during her senior season. As a junior, Danchus hit a team high .484 with seven homers and 46 RBI. She has been an honor roll member and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Coach Ferrill on Danchus: "Abbie is a power hitting catcher that can play the corner infield as well. Abbie has a strong arm and a quick release making her difficult to run on. She is a very intelligent person with all of the tools to become a very high level catcher that hits in the middle of the order for us. Everything about Abbie screams extremely high ceiling and that has me excited."
Sofia Birkenholz – St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell (Mo.) High School
Birkenholz was a member of the second place team in Missouri Class 5 for her senior season after hitting .284 in 16 games played. Had a career .278 batting average in four years as a varsity starter with 13 doubles, six home runs and 23 RBI. Was named All-Academic All-Conference and All-District all four seasons.
Coach Ferrill on Birkenholz: "Sofia is a tall, athletic corner infielder that can move to catcher when needed. Sofia has the build, the athleticism, and the intelligence to be a very dangerous player for us here at Truman State. I think between Sofia's personality, athleticism, power potential, and high level softball experience she was a huge pick up for our softball program."
Lily Arndt – Troy, Mo./Troy Buchanan High School
Arndt is a softball and track standout at Troy Buchanan High School and has been a three-year varsity letterwinner on the diamond with a .348 batting average in 158 plate appearances. She has driven in 17 runs while swiping 19 bases earning all-conference and all-district accolades. Arndt was ranked #208 by Extra-Innings Softball for the Class of 2023 and was named to the all-tournament team and most valuable pitcher for the Winter Warm-up held in Burlington, Iowa. Ardnt broke the school record in the Pole Vault as a member of the Track & Field program.
Coach Ferrill on Arndt: "Lily is a middle infielder that is versatile enough to move to the outfield or even pitcher if needed. As is common with players coming out of Troy Buchannan HS Lily has incredible glove skills. Lily is just plain smooth with her glove and fielding abilities. If you add that with her extremely high IQ and she has all of the makings of an all-conference defender. On the other side of the ball her speed and quickness makes her dangerous as well. I excited to get Lily here next year and see just how many different ways she can help our program."
