'Dogs Sign Louisiana Pitching Standout
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State softball head coach Kathy Arendsen announced the final signee of the 2002 season Wednesday afternoon as Louisiana pitching standout Summer Delaneuville (Reserve, La./Riverside Academy) inked her name to a national letter of intent to continue her playing career with the Bulldogs. Delaneuville comes to Starkville following an outstanding senior season at Riverside Academy in Reserve, La., in which she led the Lady Rebels to the 2002 Louisiana state championship. She is expected to make an immediate impact with the Bulldogs. "Summer is a power pitcher who will be able to handle a lot of innings for us," Arendsen said. "We expect she will be someone who will be able to help us immediately and contribute to the success of this program. We are very anxious and excited to have her join our program." Delaneuville proved to be a very valuable spark plug in Riverside Academy's run to the state crown this past season, tallying a 27-8 record and a 0.10 ERA in 197 innings of work with 317 strikeouts and just 15 walks. She was equally as impressive in the batter's box, turning in a .450 average to go along with 17 extra-base hits (1 HR) and 32 RBIs. She also walked 12 times. Summer will own the distinction of being the first student-athlete from the Pelican State to play for Arendsen and becomes just the sixth softball player from Louisiana to attend Mississippi State. The daughter of A.J. and Yvonne Delaneuville, Summer has a two younger brothers, A.J. and C.J. She recently graduated 33rd in her class of 70 at Riverside, turning in a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.