Nevada softball signs four

The University of Nevada softball team signed four prep stars to join its program for the 2010 season on Wednesday, the first day of the fall signing period. first-year head coach Matt Meuchel announced Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.

Nevada signed one Northern Nevada player in Sam Puzey of Reno High and three players from Southern California, Stephani Aguirre, Chelsea Barilli and Lauren Lastrapes.

"We could not be happier with our 2009 class," first-year Nevada coach Matt Meuchel said. "We are losing a large and decorated senior class and we feel that we filled all of areas that we needed to address. Additionally, we made a real effort to upgrade our team speed and we feel that is reflected in each of our four signees. All four will be expected to come in and play a large role in winning a WAC Championship and they are each capable of doing just that. Each player has a lot of experience playing at the highest level and has played for championship level club programs. We feel that we have continued to upgrade our level of talent and athleticism and that bodes well for the future of our program."

Aguirre is an outfielder from Carson, Calif., and earned all-area and all-city honors last sesaon as a junior and is also involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Barilli is a a shortstop-second baseman from Poway, Calif., and is a two-time all-league performer.

Lastrapes is a first baseman-outfielder from Laguna Niguel, Calif., and was named as the Pacific Coast League Player of the Year last season.

Puzey is an outfielder-first baseman-pitcher and is a three-time first team all-league choice and a two-time all-state selection. She is also a National Honor Society member. Her sister, Brittany, a Douglas High graduate, is a senior on the Nevada softball team.