PRESS RELEASE - UMD ATHLETICS

Mullen & Three More Sign With Bulldogs
Four individuals who have made their marks on the Minnesota and Wisconsin high school diamonds -- pitcher/utility player Megan Mullen, infielder/outfielder Maddie Bilse, catcher/infielder Dani Lagerstrom and infielder Brooke Neuroth -- have all signed national letters of intent to attend and play softball for the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2010-11.

"We are very excited to welcome these four players to our softball program," said UMD head coach Jen Banford. "They all have big shoes to fill and I'm confident that they will be a great addition and make an impact immediately. Each are gifted student-athletes who, most importantly, possess a great deal of character."

Mullen has established herself as one of the premier pitchers in the Minnesota prep circles over the past four years. Last spring, she helped lead Hermantown High School to the State Class AA title while being bestowed with St. Paul Pioneer Press All-State honors for a second straight season. A two-time Duluth News-Tribune All-Area Player of the Year award recipient and a member of the All-Lake Superior Conference team as a freshman, sophomore and junior, Mullen racked up

283 strikeout in 171 innings in 2009. That included a 31-strikeout performance (which, at the time, was a Minnesota high school record) in a 1-0, 14-inning victory over Virginia last April. Mullen also lettered three years in soccer (midfielder) and will begin her fourth year with the basketball Hawks (guard) this winter.

"Megan's the all-around package and will be a great asset to our program," said Banford, "She's a mentally-tough pitcher who is extremely poised and confident on the mound. It is terrific to have a local player of Megan's caliber joining us."

Bisle has been a part of the Eden Prairie High School starting lineup the past three seasons and will fill a team captaincy role for the second straight year in 2010. As a junior, she attained All-Lake Conference honorable mention acclaim in addition being chosen the Eagles' Best Defensive Player. Bilse capped off her four-year prep volleyball career this past fall, captaining Eden Prairie High School while serving as the club's top defensive specialist.

"Maddie has great speed who is versatlie enough to handle a number of positions", said Bandford. "She will definitely improve our short game and be a threat on the bases."

Lagerstrom will be entering her fifth year of starting duty at New Richmond (Wis.) High School this spring and is a two-time All-Middle Border Conference selection. As a Tiger team captain in 2009, she paced the Middle Border Conference in hitting with a .568 average (to go with a .901 slugging percentage) en route to securing All-State honorable mention and NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-North Region first team honors.

"Dana is very passionate about the game and works hard behind the plate," said Banford. "She's an all-around athlete who is as dedicated in the classroom as she is on the field."

Neuroth, who is a teammate of Bisle's at Eden Prairie High School, has anchored the Eagle infield since her sophomore year. As a junior, she received All-Lake Conference honorable mention recognition after topping the Eden Prairie batting charts.

"Brook is a great leader who has a big upside." said Banford. "I think one of her real strong suites is her defensive play at the short stop position."