Dec. 2, 2008

Contact: Brian McCann

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland State made a move to replace the six seniors on the 2009 roster by announcing the signing of five high school student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to enroll at CSU and play softball beginning next fall. CSU head coach Angie Nicholson made the announcement on Tuesday.

Joining the Vikings are Afton Allred (Spirit Lake, ID/Timberlake), Gabrielle Gillilan (Grove City, OH/Bishop Ready), Megan Lockhart (Hamilton, OH/Fairfield), Tess Sito (Elyria, OH) and Dara Toman (Westerville, OH/Westerville Central).

"This is a really good group of players," Nicholson said. "We knew going into recruiting that with so many seniors on our roster, that we were going to have to add some players who could come in and help us immediately. This group is so versatile and so athletic that each of them is capable of helping us at multiple positions.

"This is a very well rounded group. Not only are they going to represent CSU well on the diamond, but they are also wonderful representatives in the classroom and in the community," Nicholson added.

Allred, who is the younger sister of Viking sophomore Kala Allred, set a school record with 50 RBIs as a sophomore. A three-time all-league choice, she hit .482 as a junior (41-85) with 33 runs scored, 45 RBI and a .671 slugging percentage.

"Afton is one of the smartest players I know," Nicholson said. "She has great hands and even though she is small in stature, she has a powerful bat."

Gillilan, who plays both pitcher and third base, has been a three-year regular in the circle, helping her team to a 66-25 record during her career. A two-time All-Ohio pick, she earned second team honors as a freshman and first team accolades as a sophomore, playing on state championship teams.

"Gabby is a great leader," Nicholson said. "She pitched on two state championship teams and is versatile enough to play and bat as a corner infielder."

Lockhart, a lefthander who is best suited to play either first base or in centerfield, hit .333 with a perfect fielding average as a junior en route to earning first team all-league and all-district honors. She batted .393 as a sophomore to earn second team all-league and team best offensive player honors.

"Megan is a very versatile offensive performer," Nicholson said. "She hits for power and average, being able to both hit for power and slap the ball. She will add another dimension to our offense."

Sito, a power pitcher who is also capable of playing any infield position, was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio as a junior in 2008 after going 27-2 with a 0.22 ERA. She threw 188 innings, striking out 313 while walking just 24 and allowing only six earned runs. At the plate, she led the team in hitting (.450), home runs (6), RBI (30), runs scored (33), doubles (7), triples (4), stolen bases (8), stolen base attempts (8) and slugging percentage (.780).

A second team Louisville Slugger NFCA All-America choice last year, Sito is a two-time first team All-Ohio selection and a three-time all-league pick, helping Elyria High to three state Ohio state championship games.

"Tess is simply one of the best pitchers in the country," Nicholson said. "She throws hard with good location and will become even better once she learns the college game. She is also strong offensively and will play in the field when she isn't in the circle."

Toman, a shortstop, will leave high school having earned four letters each in volleyball, basketball and softball. In softball, she has earned all-league and all-district honors in each of her first three years.

"I think Dara is my diamond in the rough," Nicholson said. "She is very powerful at the plate with one of the strongest throwing arms I've seen in awhile. She has a bright future."

The Vikings, who have won 30 or more games in a school record three consecutive seasons, open the 2009 season on Feb. 6-8 at the New Mexico State Tournament.