Wildcat Athletics: Softball Press Release

ELLENSBURG - Two current high school seniors - one from Washington and one from Oregon - have signed National Letters of Intent to play softball at Central Washington University beginning in the 2005 season, CWU head coach Gary Frederick announced on Tuesday.

Meaghan Craig, a right-handed pitcher from Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek, and Sarah Noce (pronounced KNOW-chee), a shortstop from Redmond High School in Redmond, Ore., will join the Wildcats following the conclusion of their prep careers this coming spring.

Craig has been a standout player in both softball and volleyball at Jackson, a member of the WIAA's Wesco Conference. She is the daughter of former CWU baseball player Warren Craig, who played for Frederick during his days in Ellensburg.

"Meaghan is a pitcher with good velocity and very good command of several pitches," Frederick said. "She will step right in and, if she's not a starter, she will certainly be right in there in relief. Meaghan should do a great job for us."

Noce is another in a long line of Oregon prep softball players that Frederick has wooed to CWU. A third team all-state (Class 4A) selection last season as a shortstop at Redmond, Noce is a two-time all-Intermountain Conference honoree and a 4.0 student in the classroom. Central Washington has two Oregon natives on its 2004 roster, including senior captain Annie Franks (La Grande) and junior Kristin Powell (Tillamook).

"Sarah is one of the better recruits, in our opinion, in the last couple of years," Frederick said of Noce. "She is a very intelligent individual who currently plays shortstop but is athletic enough to where she can play more than one position. She has the capability of being an outstanding player at our level, and I am certain she will fit into our program somehow next year as a freshman."

Frederick, who will begin his 10th year as the Wildcats' head softball coach in 2004, expects to add one or two more players to his recruiting class during the late signing period in the coming spring.

Central Washington, which finished 17-20 in 2003, makes its earliest softball start in school history when it opens the 2004 season on Jan. 31 at Turlock, Calif. against Cal State Stanislaus. The Wildcats are slated for up to seven games on that opening weekend before taking one month off prior to the ninth annual Central Washington Softball Invitational at Richland on Mar. 5-7.

Meaghan Craig
Right-Handed Pitcher, 5'4"
Bats Right, Throws Right
Freshman - High School
11/06/85
Bothell, WA/Henry M. Jackson HS '04

Henry M. Jackson High School - Scheduled to graduate from Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek in June 2004 ... Has lettered in both softball and volleyball during her prep career with the Timberwolves ... Has been an all-Wesco Conference, South Division selection in volleyball ... Has frequently attended Central Washington's annual softball clinics.

Personal - Born November 6, 1985, in Seattle ... Plans to major in secondary education at CWU ... Parents are Warren and Lois Craig of Bothell ... Father played four seasons of baseball for current CWU softball coach Gary Frederick from 1968-71.

Sarah Noce (pronounced KNOW-chee)
Shortstop, 5'10"
Bats Right, Throws Right
Freshman - High School
12/16/85
Redmond, OR/Redmond HS '04

Redmond High School - Scheduled to graduate from Redmond High School in Redmond, Ore., in June 2004 ... Will earn her fourth varsity letter in softball for the Panthers this coming spring ... Was a third team all-state (Class 4A) selection as a junior ... Batted .512 with 25 runs scored, 18 runs batted in, and 20 stolen bases in 2003 ... Also had a .548 on-base percentage ... Tabbed the Panthers' Most Valuable Player ... Twice named first team all-Intermountain Conference ... Second team all-IMC as a freshman ... Received award as team's best defensive player as a sophomore ... Coach's Award recipient and Most Inspirational Player as a freshman ... Has earned letters in equestrian, basketball and volleyball as well ... Entering her third year as a member of Redmond's equestrian squad this year ... Four-year member of the Honor Society and honor roll ... Currently owns a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

Personal - Born December 16, 1985, in Portland, Ore. ... Plans to major in mathematics and/or physical education ... Aspiring to be a teacher and coach ... Parents are Bill and Sue Noce of Bend ... Has five older half-siblings.