Softball Adds Three During Early Signing Period
December 10, 2012
ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University head softball coach Tommy Hewitt added a trio of talented prep players during the early signing period, as Augustine “Augie” Pena, Lauren Rudesheim and Courtney Czentnar inked national letters of intent in late November.
“This class of recruits will be skilled enough to start coming right out of high school and they will have an immediate impact on our program,” said Hewitt.
Pena, a standout pitcher for Geneva (Ala.) High School, posted an impressive 48-22 record over the past two seasons, with a 1.51 earned run average and recorded 510 strikeouts to help lead the Panthers to a pair of top-three finishes in the state of Alabama over the past two years.
As a junior last season, the right-hander notched a stellar 24-8 record with a 0.90 ERA and struck out 291 batters - nearly 10 per game. She tossed 16 shutouts from the circle, including three no-hitters, as the team finished third in the state in Class 3A.
Offensively, Pena batted .345 and posted an on-base percentage of .442.
Pena was nearly as impressive as a sophomore, going 24-14 in the circle with a 2.16 earned run average, while fanning 220 batters and walking 45.
She performed in the classroom as well, being named to the school’s honor roll all four years and participating in the Alabama High School Lions Leadership Forum.
“Augie will be a great addition to our pitching staff,” said Hewitt. “She’s a power pitcher with really good command of her pitches and at 5-foot-11, she will have great mound presence. With 510 strikeouts in the last two years, not only does Augie have good skills but also the right winning attitude as her two-year record (46-20) shows.”
Rudesheim, a four-year letterwinner at St. Anne-Pacelli High School in Columbus, Ga., is a 5-foot-8 right-handed hurler who posted a 15-7 record with a 1.10 ERA for the Vikings her senior season. She earned Region Pitcher of the Year accolades after recording 185 strikeouts in 139 innings and was named All-Region and All-West Georgia four times, while helping lead Pacelli to the state playoffs all four years.
She batted .365 with three home runs, eight doubles and three triples during her senior campaign and recorded 28 RBI while swiping 32 bases.
Rudesheim is also a member of the Georgia Peaches Gold club team, which placed second at the ESPN High School World Championships last July in Orlando and was named defensive MVP for the tournament.
“Besides being proven a winner, Lauren is a pitcher that has tight spin and the kind of movement we have been looking for,” added Hewitt. “Her command and location of her pitches is exceptional. Lauren will be a great complement to our pitching staff and is accustomed to winning. She will not settle for anything less.”
Czentnar is a shortstop/outfielder at Greater Atlanta Christian School who earned All-County, All-Region and All-State honors for the Spartans after recording an impressive .621 batting average, including hitting .782 with runners in scoring position during her senior season.
She also had a slugging percentage of 1.241, while blasting seven home runs and had an on-base percentage of .689. Czentnar earned the 2012 team MVP award and was named Gwinnett County Player of the Month.
“Courtney is a tremendous combination shortstop/outfielder and can do it all,” noted Hewitt. “She can hit with power or for average. Courtney can fly on the bases, has great instincts and knows that part of the game very well. She will be a huge game-changer for us in the future and has the chance to be one of the best athletes to play here at Anderson.”
The Trojans open their 2013 season on the road at Augusta State on Feb. 2. First pitch for the doubleheader is slated for noon.
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