The University of Akron Athletics
Softball's 2011-12 Class Ranked Tops in Ohio
December 27 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio - Ohio Softball Recruiting News has ranked the Akron softball program's recent recruiting class the best in the state. Head Coach Julie Jones recently announced the addition of four signees who will join the team for the 2012 season: Taryn Allmon, Keelia Nester, Rachael Ratcliffe, and Kellie Roudabush. Akron's class beat out Ohio State and Toledo for the #1 ranking.
In the individual rankings, Roudabush is listed as the top recruit in Ohio. Allmon is not far behind, ranked seventh, followed by Ratcliffe at ninth. Rounding out the talented group is Nester, who is also listed in the top 25. Below is a summary of the stellar recruiting class.
Taryn Allmon
Outfield
Grove City, Ohio/Grove City High School
High School Coach: Ted Williams
Notes: Led her team to the Ohio Capital Conference title three years running ... team was district and regional champions when Allmon was a freshman and junior ... boasts two final four appearances in the state meet and was the lead off hitter in Grove City's Division I runner-up finish at the tournament in 2010 ... held the highest batting average on the team as a freshman (.402) and junior (.476) ... was named first team All-Metro and second team All-OCC as a junior ... from 2004-08 was part of the Lady Lasers ... was a member of the Ohio Classics from 2008-10 ... participated in ASA Nationals for the last six years ... also played basketball.
Keelia Nester
Middle Infield
Commercial Point, Ohio/Teays Valley High School
High School Coach: Brenna Giesige
Notes: Was one of the top ranked Ohio recruits ... earned second team All-Mid-State League as a freshman and first team honors as a sophomore and junior ... also as a junior earned honorable mention all-district ... led her team a MSL Championship in 2008 and 2010 ... squad was district runner-up in 2008 and regional runner-up in 2009 ... a three sport athlete who also earned first team all-league as a golfer and in basketball.
Rachael Ratcliffe
First Base/Outfield
Bristolville, Ohio/Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School
High School Coach: Jack McParland
Notes: Was named All-Steel Valley Conference as a freshman and sophomore and first team All-North Coast League as a junior ... also as a junior named team MVP, All-Ohio honorable mention and Geagua News Herald All-Stars first team ... led her team to the conference and district championship in 2008 and 2009 ... as a sophomore led her team to the regional championship and Division II state final four ... regional runner-up as a junior ... posted a .410 batting average as a freshman, .417 as a sophomore and .393 in her junior season ... also is a school record holder and state qualifier in the 100 backstroke.
Kellie Roudabush
Shortstop/Pitcher
Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Bradley High School
High School Coach: Kevin Moody
Notes: Was rated the #1 recruit in Ohio ... named first team All-Ohio Capital Conference and all-district ... as a freshman and sophomore was honored as All-State Team MVP ... as a junior was named Player of the Year, first team all-state, and first team All-Metro ... led her team to a OCC Championship in 2008 and 2010 ... in 2009 were district and regional champions ... also a sophomore led her team to the state tournament finals ... holds the most strikeouts record (370) ... as a freshman posted a .400 batting average, .318 as a sophomore and .587 as a junior ... also played basketball.
