The Western Nevada College softball team has added to an already talented freshman class by signing two high school players to letters of intent.
Pitcher Mckell Marble of Box Elder High School in Brigham City, Utah, and outfielder Maddison Neely of Reynolds High School in Troutdale, Ore., have been signed by Wildcats Coach Leah Wentworth for the team’s 2016 recruiting class.
Both student-athletes have a connection to the program.
Marble’s sister. Taleas, starred for the Wildcats in 2012, setting eight offensive records, including 16 home runs.
Neely, a left-handed slap hitter, is coached by former Wildcat standout infielder Melanie Pfeiffer, who grew up in Reno, graduated from Western Oregon University, and recently has moved into the coaching ranks.
“It’s nice to know that we have players that have graduated, and quite a few have gone into the direction of coaching and are providing great feedback about who could be a great addition to the program,” Wentworth said.
Marble helped pitch Box Elder into the Utah 4A state playoffs last season as a junior.
“I think she will continue to help the pitching staff and be a great addition to the team,” Wentworth said.
Neely played an outfield role for the Camas High (Wash.) Papermakers last season as they qualified for the Washington 4A state tournament. She will play for Pfeiffer in her first season at Reynolds this spring.
With a wealth of freshmen on the current Western Nevada College softball roster, the Wildcats plan to sign a limited number of players for the 2016 season.
“We don’t have many scholarships to hand out since the team will only be losing five sophomores,” Wentworth said.
“We have some other people on our radar.”