April 16, 2007

HUNTINGTON - Another Nielson name could soon be added to the Marshall softball record books. Thundering Herd head coach Shonda Stanton announced the signing of Pima Community College power hitter Kelly Nielson (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) to a National Letter of Intent for the 2007-2008 academic year Monday.

Nielson is the younger sister of former Marshall pitcher Randi Nielson who was a four-year letterwinner for Stanton from 2002-2005.

"Kelly comes from a solid family with a sound work ethic," Stanton said. "She is an incredible athlete."

The younger Nielson, a third baseman, joins another West Coast product, early signee Melanie Stoehr (Tacoma, Wash./Governor John Rogers), as the Herd's two additions for the upcoming campaign. She leads all National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I hitters with 18 home runs and is currently seventh nationally with 61 RBI, while adding 23 stolen bases in 25 attempts. She is third on the team with a .466 batting average and second with 69 base hits.

Nielson was a 2006 Louisville Slugger/NFCA NJCAA Division I All-America second team selection, hitting 12 home runs with 70 RBI. She was also a second team All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) selection.

"She has the versatility to play three different positions for us. Offensively, she has an explosive bat and when we put her in the heart of our lineup with Rachel (Folden) and Sam (Rodriguez), we will have the best middle lineup in Conference USA."

Behind Nielson, the Aztecs are ranked 10th in the latest NJCAA Division I Top 20 with a 44-10 overall record. Last season, Nielson was a part of Pima's 2006 NJCAA Division I National Championship team that finished the season with a 60-10 mark.

"Kelly will make a name for herself," Stanton said. "She will be a huge impact player for our program."