Loretto, PA -- Saint Francis University head softball coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift has announced the addition of two members to her freshman class, outfielder Kathryn Blattenberger (Martinsburg, Pa./Central) and pitcher Ketarah DeVries (Forreston, Ill., Forreston). The two incoming recruits bring the 2012-13 class total to seven.
Kathryn Blattenberger (Martinsburg, Pa./Central)
Blattenberger joins the Red Flash after a successful senior campaign at Central High School, during which the Altoona Mirror and the Mountain League named the centerfielder a first-team All-Star. A multi-sport star in high school, Blattenberger was a three-time letter winner in basketball in addition to lettering in softball four times. She led the Scarlet Dragons to a district runner-up spot – the first in school history – with a .513 batting average to go along with 36 runs batted in. Leading the team in multiple offensive categories, she went on to be named team MVP. Blattenberger is also a member of the National Honor Society.
She is the daughter of Daniel and Karen Blattenberger and plans to major in occupational therapy at Saint Francis.
“Kate will look to compete for a spot in the outfield this year,” said Patrick-Swift. “She gets a great read and jump on the ball off the bat, which enables her to run down balls that ordinarily drop in for base hits. Offensively, the ball jumps off her bat so we'll look for her to not only hit for power but for average as well.”
Ketarah DeVries (Forreston, Ill., Forreston)
DeVries joins the Red Flash as a talented pitcher out of Illinois. At Forreston High School, she was also an infielder for the Cardinals, batting .447 her senior year to go along with five home runs and 42 runs batted in. As a member of the Red Flash, DeVries' focus will be on the mound, where she racked up 356 strikeouts in 2012. Her accolades while at Forreston include being a three-time unanimous all-conference selection, being named to the all-state team after her junior and senior years, as well as being named the maxPreps National Player of the Week (Midwest) in spring 2012. In addition to her on-field accomplishments, she was on the honor roll all four years in high school and was twice named to the Academic All-Conference team.
She is the daughter of Rob and Tammy DeVries and plans to major in marketing at Saint Francis.
“Ketarah will be a great addition to the current pitching staff,” said Patrick-Swift. “She is the type of player every coach would love to have. Her work ethic along with the fire to have the ball in her hands will not only project a powerful presence on the mound against opponents, but will also give our defense the added confidence in knowing that she can control the game in the circle.”