• Roster
• Schedule
• Coaches
• News
• Stats
• Photos
• Awards
• Prospect Questionnaire
• Recent Signings
• Camps

First Year Under Wade Shows Improvement for the Future

May 9, 2013

Kansas City, MO – By simply looking at the wins total from this season (7), you’d say the Eagles took a step backwards in 2013. But, by simply digging a bit deeper, you’ll see the Eagles showed significant measurable improvement under first year Head Coach Rob Wade.

With a record of 7-23, the Eagles lost twelve fewer games in 2013 than 2012, and improved both offensively and defensively. Defensively, the Eagles gave up 119 fewer runs than in 2012 while cutting the amount of errors committed in half from the prior season. (98 – ’12 | 56 - ’13) In addition, the Eagles saw improvements in fielding percentage.

Offensively, the Eagles had three players batting over .300 for the first time since 2007. The Eagles saw improvements in slug percentage, walks drawn per game, and struck out on fewer occasions per game.

While their conference record was equal to 2012, their non-conference record of 5-7 showed great improvement from their 7-19 record last season.

Individually, the Eagles were led at the plate by Junior transfer Kylie Ball. In sixty at-bats, the Kansas City native registered 25 hits including five triples. Her .417 batting average led the Eagles and ranked third in the HAAC while her .527 on base percentage ranked second in the conference.

 

Kyle Ball  - 2013 Batting

Batting	GP	GS	AVG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	SLG%	BB	HBP	SO	GDP	OB%	SF	SH	SB	SBA
Ball, Kylie	23	23	0.417	60	11	25	5	0	1	10	33	0.550	7	7	13	1	0.527	0	0	1	4

Ball was one of two Eagles to be named to the Second Team All-HAAC Squad in 2013. The other Eagle to receive the honor was senior shortstop Darah Matheis

Matheis, a HAAC honorable mention selection in 2012, served as the everyday shortstop and leadoff batter for the Eagles. Darah topped the .300 mark for the first time in her four year Avila career batting .320 and led the team with 31 hits. Matheis, a four year starter, finishes her Avila career having played 132 games and finished just one hit shy of 100 for her career.

 

Darah Matheis - Career Batting

Year	Team	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	SLG	Avg
2010	AU	29	63	6	15	0	0	0	4	15	1	14	3	2	0.238	0.238
2011	AU	31	72	1	17	0	0	0	5	17	1	17	3	0	0.236	0.236
2012	AU	42	131	20	36	3	1	0	4	41	4	11	13	1	0.313	0.275
2013	AU	30	97	16	31	2	2	0	5	37	7	12	2	2	0.381	0.320
Total		132	363	43	99	5	3	0	18	110	13	54	21	5	0.303	0.273

Leading the way on the mound for the Eagles was freshman Jennifer Hammonds. The Raytown HS alum showed fantastic durability and stamina as she often pitched both games of a double header this season. Her 6.7 innings per game average ranked fourth in the NAIA and first in the HAAC as Hammonds threw a total of 135.1 innings this season. Her 75 strikeouts on the year ranked seventh in the HAAC and was the most by any Avila pitcher since Lacey Porter’s 152 in 2008.

The Eagles graduate five seniors; Darah Matheis (SS), Maggie Carthen (CF), Jennifer Elliot (2B), Katie Noland (Util.), and Linley Tate (P) and will have ten players returning for the 2014 season. Coach Wade announced a recruiting class of fifteen back in December giving the 2014 Avila squad the largest projected roster size since 2007 when the Eagles went 30-14.

Recently, to add to the good omens for the, incoming freshmen Monica Hudson (Grain Valley HS - OF) and Morgan Greenwood (Blue Springs South HS - OF) were selected to play in the prestigious MoKan All-Star game which pits the best high school seniors from each side of the state line. The game is a best of three series and will take place at Shawnee Mission Athletic Complex in June.

Reflecting on the 2013 season Coach Wade said the following, “I’d like to thank the players for their hard work over the past ten months. It’s been a year of change for the program and I feel like we’ve taken some very positive steps in the right direction. With both our returners and a fantastic group of freshmen coming in this fall, the future looks very bright for Avila Softball.

---

Softball Team Excited to Forge New Path Under New Head Coach

Season Preview

February  13, 2013

Kansas City, MO - After struggling the past several seasons, the Avila University softball team is excited to begin a new era under first-year head coach Rob Wade.

Not only does Wade bring a wealth of coaching experience at the club and all-star levels, he also brings with him new concepts of playing a structured, team-oriented style of softball he believes will lead to success in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and NAIA.

“I’m tremendously excited to be the head coach of Avila softball,” said Wade, who most recently was head softball coach at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kan. as well as head coach and founder of the highly-regarded Kansas City Zephyrs Gold Junior club team. “It’s my goal for the program to ascend to the top of the HAAC and to compete for a national championship. I have high expectations for the future of Avila softball.”

Over the past seven years with the Zephyrs, Wade aided in the development and recruitment of more than 35 NCAA Division I players. It’s that kind of recruiting talent he’s used to bring in a group of talented newcomers to go along with a handful of experienced returners, a group that should go a long way toward vastly improving on the 9-35 overall record of last season.

Leading the list of newcomers is pitcher Jennifer Hammonds, a freshman from Raytown, Mo., who will be looked upon to anchor the Eagles’ rotation. Sophomore Evelyn Rutherford, from Overland Park, and senior Linley Tate, from Independence, Mo., will back Hammonds up in the circle.

Stevie Gibson, a transfer from Neosho Junior College, will be receiving Hammonds’ deliveries behind the plate as starting catcher, and redshirt senior Kailee Cowan, from Meadville, Mo., is developing fast as a worthy backup and potential challenger for the starting spot.

The infield will blend a mix of veterans and newcomers. Darah Matheis, a senior from Russellville, Mo. and a second-team all-HAAC pick last season, returns at shortstop and is slated to bat lead-off for the Eagles. Senior Jennifer Elliott, from Raymore, Mo., will be counted on to hold down the right side of the infield again and hit in the middle of the order. Maddy Misel, a sophomore from Polo, Mo., will be expected to handle the everyday duties at the hot corner, third base, and hit in the middle of the order. And, Kylie Ball, a transfer from Maple Woods Community College, will start at first base and add some gap-to-gap power to the middle of the order. Freshman Caitlyn Shireman, from Raytown, will see limited duty at first base, but will be expected to add some punch in the designated hitter spot.

Maggie Carthen, a senior from St. Louis, will be the starter in centerfield. The three-year starter will add speed, range and a great arm to the outfield this season. Alex Yates, a junior from Gladstone, Mo., possesses the strongest arm in the outfield and will play right field. Courtney Morgan, a senior from Raymore, and freshman Kayla Grieshaber will both see action in left field.

Grieshaber also will be looked to share time at designated hitter with Shireman. Both players have the ability to put together quality at-bats and drive in runs.

“The Eagles might not have a lot of depth this year, but they are all understanding the new concepts and learning to play a more structured and “TEAM” oriented style of softball,” Wade said. “This will be a fun and energetic team to watch. I encourage everyone to make plans to come catch a game at the Zarda Complex.”

All Avila home softball games are free to the public.

---

Eagles Announce 2013 Recruiting Class of Fifteen Athletes

December 4, 2012

Kansas City, MO - First Year Head Coach Rob Wade had a lot to be happy about in his first ever college recruiting class. With fifteen student-athletes signed for 2013, the future looks bright for Eagle Softball. Coach Wade had the following to say about the 2013 signees: "This 2013 signing class may be the biggest and most significant in Avila Softball history. The addition of these fifteen players will set Avila on course to become a National contender in the near future and more significantly, each player brings the level of character and work ethic to build a softball program that will make the University proud for years to come.”

Below is a brief summary of all fifteen athletes committed to Avila for the fall of 2013 with comments from Coach Wade.

• Courtney Nichols - Outfielder (Osborn, Missouri)

Stewartsville HS - 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Region, 2nd Team All State
Coach Wade: “Courtney is a very fast versatile outfielder that can slap and hit from the left side. Courtney will compete for a starting outfield position as a freshman”

• Morgan Greenwood - Outfielder (Blue Springs, Missouri)

Blue Springs South HS - 2nd Team All-Conference | Club Team: Victory
Coach Wade: “Morgan is a corner outfielder that hits for power and her versatility in the outfield will help her compete for a starting spot as a freshman”

• Katie McMurray - INF/OF (Kansas City, Missouri)

Pembroke HS | Club Team: Victory
Coach Wade: “Katie is one of the fastest players in the KC metro area and her ability to put pressure on opposing defenses will help her compete for a lineup spot as a freshman. Katie is also a very good second baseman that also has the ability to play outfield”

• Monica Hudson - Outfielder (Grain Valley, Missouri)

Grain Valley HS - 3A Conference and District Champions, Missouri 3A State Runners-Up | Club Team: MisfitsCoach Wade: “Monica is a multi-dimensional left handed hitter. Her ability to slap for power and her speed make her a true triple threat player. Monica will also compete for a starting outfield spot as a freshman."

• Sheyanna Thompson - Infielder (Pleasant Hill, Missouri)

Pleasant Hill HS | Club Team: Power/Misfits
Coach Wade“Sheyanna is a very talented infielder with the ability to develop into a premier power hitter in college. She will compete for a starting infield job her freshman year”

• Tori Aziere - Pitcher (Blue Springs, Missouri)

Blue Springs HS | Club Team: Power-Zahn
Coach Wade: “Tori will be effective immediately in the circle for the Eagles. Her ability to spin the ball as a pitcher makes it extremely hard for opposing batters to square up her pitches."

• Kaley Harkrader - 3B/SS (Harrisonville, Missouri)

Harrisonville HS - 2nd Team All-Region | Club Team: Originals-Green
Coach Wade: “Kaley is one of the best pure hitters in the area. Her ability to drive in runs will aid her in her pursuit of starting time as a freshman”

• Samantha Castoldi - SS/OF (San Tan Valley, Arizona)

Poston Butte HS - Divison II All State Honorable Metnion | Club team: East Valley Pride Arizona                        Coach Wade: “Samantha is a very fast natural left handed hitter with the ability to slap and hit for power. Defensively “Sam” gets very good jumps on balls and will compete for the starting shortstop position as a freshman”

• Sarah Siegismund - Pitcher (Pleasant Hope, Missouri).

Pleasant Hope HS - Class 2 State Champion, Class 2 1st Team All-State, 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-District.
Coach Wade“Quite simply Sarah is a winner! Having taken her Pleasant Hope squad to the 2A state championship game in 2011 only to lose her only game of the season in the state championship game, Sarah revenged the loss in 2012 by pitching her squad to victory in the 2012 Missouri state championship. You can count on one hand the amount of losses Sarah has had in her entire high school career and that winning mindset is exactly the mindset we are looking for here at Avila”

• Madison Mueth - INF/OF (Simi Valley, California)

Simi Valley HS | Club Team: Bow Net Gold
Coach Wade: “Madison is one of the best pure hitters I have ever seen. Her ability to hit with line drive power to all fields should secure her spot squarely in the middle of the lineup during her tenure here at Avila. Maddie is used to championship play as evidenced by her teams (Corona Angels-Perez) 33rd place finish at the ASA/USA national championship tournament. Madison currently plays for Coach Bob Creamer on Southern California’s Bow Net Gold squad.”

• Alexis (Lexie) Worden - Pitcher (Grain Valley, Missouri)

Grain Valley HS - 2012 Class 3 State Runners-Up | Club Team: Misfits
Coach Wade: “Lexie is one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the KC Metro area and has competed at a high level from a young age. Lexie was part of the Grain Valley 2012 state champion runner up team. Lexie’s competitive spirit and will to win will be a tremendous addition to our team and help set Avila softball in a winning direction for years to come.”

• Mackenzie (Mac) Ryle - C/OF (Raymore, Missouri)

Ray-Pec HS | Club Team: FCS Angels
Coach Wade: “Mac is one of the most focused and competitive catchers in the KC area. Mack brings tremendous game knowledge and reads the play in front of her as well as anybody. Mac is a welcome addition to the Eagles growing battery."

• Samantha Dexter - OF/C (Ozark, Missouri)

Ozark HS | Club Team: Ozark Dynamite/Midwest Nationals
Coach Wade: “Samantha is another addition that knows how to WIN. A four year starter at Ozark HS generally hit in the three hole and provided a lot of power with her 4 homeruns this season on Ozarks run to the
Missouri class 4 state championship game. Sam will be a prominent force in our conference for years to come”

• Brittany George - Utility (Excelsior Springs, Missouri)

Excelsior Springs HS | Club Team: KC Zephyrs
Coach Wade: “Brittany is a power corner type utility player that is adept at both infield and outfield. Brittany’s high school tenure included 1st team all-conference and all district honors”

• Laken Cagle - SS/C (Susanville, California)

Lassen Union HS | Club Team: Nevada Lightning
Coach Wade: “Laken is a tremendous athlete that not only excelled in softball in high school she is also a varsity basketball and field hockey at Lassen Union high. Laken brings a versatility and mental toughness that is contagious to a team’s ultimate success”

---

Rob Wade Named Head Softball Coach

July 12, 2012 

Kansas City, MO - The Avila University Eagles athletic department has hired Rob Wade as their new head softball coach. Wade was most recently the head softball coach at Blue Valley North High School as well as head coach and founder of the Kansas City Zephyrs Gold Junior club softball team.

Over the past seven years with the Zephyrs, Wade aided in the development and recruiting of over 35 NCAA Division I softball players. Wade has also coached several all-star teams as he served as head coach for the Adidas Futures All Star Team last month, an assistant coach in the St. Louis All Starts vs. US Olympic Team game in 2008, and was co-head coach in the 2009 Adidas All Star Class game in Boulder, Colorado.

“I am tremendously excited to become the head coach of Avila softball”, said Wade. “It is my goal for the program to ascend to the top of the HAAC conference and to compete for a national championship. I have high expectations for the future of Avila softball.”

Wade replaces Alicia Baker who led the Eagles to a 9-35 record in her one year at the helm. The Eagles graduate four seniors and are tabbed to return 15 letter winners led by HAAC Honorable Mention shortstop Darah Matheis.

Avila Athletic Director Gary Gallup had the following to say on Wade’s hiring, “Rob Wade is a tremendous addition to our outstanding athletic staff. He is very highly thought of by his peers in the softball community in the Kansas City area and throughout the nation. His experience and passion will help us develop a first-class softball program.

---

Avila Softball Team Leads Nation in NAIA Scholar-Athletes

May 23, 2012

Kansas City, MO - The 2012 Avila University softball team might not have been the best in the U.S. The Eagles were, however, the smartest.

Avila’s softball team led all NAIA institutions by having seven of its players named as 2012 Daktronics-NAIA Softball Scholar-Athletes.

The Eagles players receiving the honor were: Jessica Winkleman, senior first baseman/pitcher from Fenton, Mo., Emilee Bickleman, senior catcher/third baseman from Overland Park, Kan., Linley Tate, junior pitcher from Independence, Mo., Jennifer Elliott, junior second baseman from Raymore, Mo., Margaret Carthen, junior outfielder from St. Louis, Jordan Bultman, senior pitcher from Carrollton, Mo., and Katelyn Frakes, junior pitcher from Peculiar, Mo.

In order to be nominated by an institution’s head coach, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status to qualify for this honor.

---

Bickleman & Matheis Named to All HAAC Squads

May 5, 2012

Kansas City, MO - After a year that saw the Softball program (9-35) collect its highest number of win since 2008 (22), senior Emilee Bickleman was selected to the Second Team All HAAC squad while junior Darah Matheis was named to the honorable mention list.

Bickleman, a Overland Park, Kansas native led the Eagles in hits (48), home runs (3) and RBI (23). She featured in 42 of the teams 44 games and finished the year with a 0.378 batting average.

Matheis started at shortstop in 42 games for the Eagles and led the team in runs (20) and stolen bases (13). She also led the team in at bats with 131 and finished the year with a 0.275 batting average.

---

Three Eagles Make Boombah Smash-Hit All-Tournament Team

March 26, 2012

Kansas City, MO - Once again, the Eagles Softball team traveled to the South-Eastern part of the US over spring break. While the Eagles traveled to Orlando, FL last season to take part in the Spring Rebel Games, Head coach Alicia Baker took her squad to Bluffton, SC to play in the 2012 Boombah Smash-Hit Tournament hosted by the University of South Carolina-Beaufort.

The  Eagles picked up wins against a pair of Georgia schools as they defeat the College of Costal Georgia 7-6 and picked up a 2-1 win against Emmanuel College (GA.). Costal Georiga is a fellow NAIA member while Emmanuel is an NCAA Division III program.

Cheyene Crum, Darah Matheis, and Jenn Elliott all were selected as members of the all tournament team. Crum and Matheis currently co-led the Eagles in hits (22) and batting average (0.333) while Elliot currently leads the team in runs with ten and doubles with four.

The Eagles went 2-8 in the tournament, and are currently 6-16 overall. With just three more wins, the Eagles will surpass their win totals from the previous three seasons.

Eagles Softball Records Since 2008

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record
2008	22-22	5-15
2009	6-29	3-17
2010	7-26	3-17
2011	8-41-1	1-18
2012	6-16	2-0