Four Softball Players from Midland College Sign National Letters-of-Intent with ENMU

PORTALES, NM — Four softball players from junior college power Midland College in Midland, Texas, have signed National Letters-of-Intent to play at Eastern New Mexico University. The student-athletes are Tina Whitt, a 5’8” catcher from Riverside, Calif. (Ramona HS), Jessica Nocas, a 5’5 second baseman and shortstop from Crestline, Calif. (Norte Vista HS), Adina Taul, a 5’4” outfielder from Placentia, Calif. (El Dorado HS), and Rosemary Moreno, a 5’5” pitcher from Midland, Texas (Lee HS). All four will be juniors at ENMU during the 2004-05 academic year.

“We are very fortunate to get four talented players from one of the strongest junior colleges in the country,” said ENMU Head Coach Kevin Blaskowski. “All four will make an immediate impact and will bring a winning mentality to our program.”

ENMU tied for fifth at the NCAA Division II National Finals in Salem, Va., in 2001. After going 29-22 in 2002, the Zias changed coaches two weeks prior to the 2003 season and dropped to 24-29. ENMU hired Blaskowski late in the spring of 2003. The Zias were 11-36 in 2004, but look for great improvement in 2005 following Blaskowski’s first full recruiting year.

Midland College was 61-7 in 2004 and 58-8 in 2003. The Lady Chaps won Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) titles in 2003 and 2004. In 2003, Midland also won the Region V title and placed seventh at the NJCAA National Tournament. Midland finished second in Region V in 2004.

ENMU Softball Signings

Tina Whitt — Junior in 2004-05
Catcher, 5’8”, Riverside, CA (Midland College/Ramona HS)

Whitt was named Honorable Mention All-Conference in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) during the 2004 season. She also earned All-WJCAC honors in 2003. Whitt achieved a .361 batting average in 2003, with 14 doubles, three homers, 16 runs scored and 42 RBIs. In 2004, she hit .339, with 12 doubles, six homers, 30 runs scored and 35 RBIs. She was chosen Defensive Player-of-the-Year at Midland College this spring.

“Tina is a very talented catcher,” Blaskowski said. “She is a leader who takes charge behind the plate. She knows how to get the most out of a pitching staff. Offensively, she is a contact hitter, who can also supply some much needed power in the middle of our lineup.”

Jessica Nocas — Junior in 2004-05
Second Baseman/Shortstop, 5’5”, Crestline, CA (Midland College/Norte Vista HS)

Nocas was named All-WJCAC in 2004 after hitting .374, with three homers, eight doubles, 43 runs scored and 29 RBIs. She hit .320 during the 2003 season, while recording three doubles, hitting one triple, scoring 25 runs and providing 10 RBIs.

“Jessica will step into a key leadership role for us at shortstop,” Blaskowski said. “She is a competitor, who plays with a lot of heart and intensity. She has a very strong work ethic. At the plate, she will bring a number of skills to the top of our order.”

Adina Taul — Junior in 2004-05
Outfielder, 5’4”, Placentia, CA (Midland College/El Dorado HS)

Taul received Honorable Mention All-WJCAC recognition in 2003 and 2004. She was chosen for Midland’s Player’s Choice Award in 2004. She hit .369 during her freshman season in 2003, with 13 doubles, one triple and three homers. She also crossed the plate 38 times in 2003, while recording 23 RBIs. In 2004, she hit .290 and provided Midland with 11 doubles, four triples, 43 runs scored, 28 RBIs and five stolen bases.

“Adina will make an immediate impact in our outfield,” Blaskowski noted. “She possesses a strong arm and solid defensive skills, along with great outfield instincts. Offensively, she is a multi-talented contact hitter, who can hit from both sides of the plate.”

Rosemary Moreno — Junior in 2004-05
Pitcher, 5’5”, Midland, TX (Midland College/Lee HS)

Moreno was an All-WJCAC selection as a sophomore in 2004. She also completed her career at Midland by earning the team’s Most Improved Player Award and by receiving an Academic Excellence Award. She was 22-4 in 2004, with a 1.98 earned run average. She started 29 games during the season, and recorded 21 complete-game appearances. She earned 82 strikeouts in 169 innings pitched, wile walking just 15 batters and holding opponents to a .230 batting average. She saw limited action in 2003, when she made just five appearances for the Lady Chaps.

“Rose has made herself into a solid college pitcher,” Blaskowski commented. “She makes the most of her abilities. She is not overpowering, but is a talented pitcher, who will fit well into our pitching staff.”