By Jared Fields, Sports Editor

Head softball coach Chantiel Wilson added nine players to her roster during the summer for the 2006 season. Last year, Wilson’s team received an at-large berth to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament for the first time in school history.

Wilson signed six junior college and three high school players and expects them to add even more depth to her team than in the previous year.

“I think we had a couple of big losses last year, but I think that this year we have more strength and depth,” Wilson said. “I thought that last year, but I think it’s better this year.”

Wilson added two pitchers from the junior college ranks: Sarah Vidalin from Vernon College; and Kristine Beristianos from Ohlone College in California. Beristianos is a two-time conference Pitcher of the Year and went 28-5 with a 1.45 ERA last spring. Vidalin comes from Vernon College as last year’s conference Pitcher of the Year and was an academic all-conference selection.

Vidalin’s catcher from Vernon College, Samantha Borgeson, also transferred to ACU during the summer. Borgeson is a two time all-conference catcher who hit .342 last and had a .988 fielding percentage.

Also joining the Wildcats as transfers are Nicole Deel of Cerritos College; Jenna Daugherty from San Jose City College; and Lorena Arreguin from L.A. Valley College.

Deel was a second team all-state infielder and set a school record with nine home runs last season.

Daugherty, a first baseman at San Jose, was her conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and has committed only one error in her past three years of play. Daugherty also hits well; last year she hit .392 and had 14 doubles.

Arreguin comes to ACU with expectations to be a great hitter. Coach Wilson said that Arreguin has a great bat and could replace some power that the Wildcats lost from last year.

This year’s freshman class includes; Jessica Schwab from San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, California; Kimberly Partin from Deer Park; and Channing Morris from Eula.

Even though the Wildcats first practice was Tuesday, Wilson is impressed with her team’s work ethic this early in the year.

“I think our transfers coming in are strong and driven. Our freshmen are talented and have a good work ethic,” Wilson said. “It’s great to drive by there (Wells Field) and see them working out, and it’s 100 degrees!”