SOFTBALL ADDS LOCAL PRODUCT JESSICA ABELIA TO 2010 RECRUITING CLASS 8/4/2009 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento State head softball coach Kathy Strahan announced today that Sonoma State transfer Jessica Abelia has signed with the Hornets and will be a sophomore with the squad in 2010. A local product who starred at Franklin High School in Elk Grove, Calif., prior to spending her freshman season (2009) at Sonoma State, Abelia is a native of Elk Grove and can play positions in the middle infield as well as outfield. At Sonoma State, Abelia started games at shortstop, second base and left field (primarily shortstop), and helped the Seawolves to a 36-25 overall record as well as an appearance in the NCAA Regionals. She played in 57 games (50 starts), and finished second in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with 30 stolen bases. She batted .253 overall, .327 with runners in scoring position and led the team with nine sacrifices. “Jessica is a great addition to our program because of her versatility,” Strahan said. “She can play any infield or outfield position and has a lot of potential. Jessica can hit from either side of the plate and I expect her to make her mark at a middle infield position with our team.” A four-time first team all-Delta Valley League selection at Franklin High School, Abelia was named the league MVP and Franklin’s Athlete of the Year in 2008. A three-time all-Metro selection, she spent all four years with the varsity squad and helped lead Franklin to a Sac-Joaquin Section championship in 2006 and consecutive Delta Valley League titles in 2006 and 2007. Sacramento State’s recruiting class for the 2010 season is now comprised of Abelia, Erin Jones (Antioch High School in Antioch, Calif.), Emily McCormick (Sultana High School in Hesperia, Calif.), Molly Smith (St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Ariz.) and Kelli Frye (Norco High School in Norco, Calif.). Sacramento State concluded the 2009 season with a 28-23 overall record and a second-place finishing 14-6 mark in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference. The team has now won at least 28 games six times in the last seven seasons. 2010 Sacramento State Signees Name Pos. Yr. Ht. B/T Hometown/Current School Jessica Abelia IF/OF So. 5-0 S/R Elk Grove, Calif./Sonoma State Kelli Frye OF Fr. 5-5 L/R Corona, Calif./Norco HS Erin Jones IF Fr. 5-5 R/R Antioch, Calif./Antioch HS Emily McCormick 3B Fr. 5-5 R/R Hesperia, Calif./Sultana HS Molly Smith C/2B Fr. 5-3 R/R Glendale, Ariz./St. Mary's HS