Softball Signs Two to National Letters of Intent

12/16/04 -- Long Island University softball head coach Roy Kortmann has announced the signings of Britnee Edwards and Jenny Giles to National Letters of Intent for the fall of 2005.

Edwards, a catcher/outfielder from Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Ariz. has twice been named to the first team East Valley 5A All-Region (2003, 2004). As a junior, she posted a .472 batting average and a program-record 36 RBI. In addition, Edwards boasted a .692 slugging average with six home runs and was a second team all-state honoree.

The utility player received honorable mention all-state accolades following her sophomore campaign,which was highlighted with the setting of the school’s new home run mark. Edwards is also a member of the AZ Hotshots Gold squad, 13th place finishers at the 2004 ASA 18 Gold Nationals. A member of the National Honor Society, she is featured in the 27th edition of the Who’s Who in Sports Student-Athletes.

Giles hails from Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Fla, where she registered 140 strikeouts en route to a 10-4 ledger as a junior. The right-handed hurler posted a 0.14 ERA and a .365 batting average with 27 RBI last spring. The Commodores were picked as one of the top 50 teams in the country prior to the 2004 season by rivals.com.

Giles, who has compiled nearly 250 strikeouts the past two seasons while walking just 15 batters, has twice been named a Florida Today Newspaper All-Space Coast first-team selection and has been named to the All-Cape Coast Conference team three straight seasons. A two-time all-state selection, Giles currently plays travel ball for the Magic Gold out of Indiana.

“I am extremely excited to have Britnee and Jenny join our program in the fall,” said Kortmann. “They both have tremendous talent and will be a welcome addition as we build for the future.”

The Blackbirds notched their record eighth Northeast Conference Tournament championship in May en route to earning their third trip to the NCAA Tournament. LIU returns six starters and nine letterwinners to the field this spring.