Hayes Announces 2001 Softball Signings
December 6, 2000 | Softball
BOSTON, Mass. (November 27) -- Boston University head softball coach Amy Hayes has announced the signing of four freshman - Laura Furtado (Taunton, MA/Taunton), Jamie Haas (Houston, TX/Klein), Julie Henneke (Philadelphia, PA/Sickles (FL)), and DeKenya Williams (San Diego, CA/Mt. Carmel), the first signing class for the first-year coach.
"We lose a lot when our seniors graduate this spring," said Hayes. "I think we have found young guns to fill their shoes."
Furtado is a four-year varsity starter at shortstop/pitcher for Taunton HS, batting an Old Colony league-high .556 in 2000. She was named to both the Taunton Daily Gazette and Brockton Enterprise All-Scholastic teams and was a Boston Herald "Top Performer" on May 15, 2000 and a Boston Globe "Player of the Week" on the same date. A member of the National Honor Society, Furtado will serve as Taunton's captain in her senior year. She chose B.U. over Cornell, Harvard and UConn.
"Furtado is a hometown kid who possesses great skills," said Hayes. "She swings a big bat and can play every position on the field."
Haas is a three-year varsity letterwinning shortstop under head coach Jess Vaught at Klein HS in Klein, TX. She was a two-time defensive player of the year, two-time first team all-district and was once named second team all-district at Klein, where she will complete her senior year in May. She chose B.U. over UConn.
"Jamie is arguably on of the top shortstops to come out of Texas this year," said Hayes. "She's got tremendous quickness and great range and she'll help replace some of the speed we're losing."
Henneke was named Most Valuable Player in 1998, 1999 and 2000 at Sickles HS in Tampa, FL. As an outfielder and pitcher, Henneke also earned All-Conference Most Valuable Player in 1998 and 1999, was named All-Conference in 2000 and first team All-County in 1999 and 2000. She was honored as The St. Petersburgh Times Player of the Year in 2000 along with receiving second team All-State Honors. She chose B.U. over UNC and Canisius.
"Julie is a superb lefty athlete who is extremely versatile," commented Hayes. "She will have an immediate impact in the outfield and may see some time on the mound."
Williams, an outfielder, will serve as team captain in her senior year at Mt. Carmel HS. She was a member of the Southern California ASA All-State team in 2000 and was named to the Union Tribune All-Academic Team the same year. She chose B.U. over Uconn, Notre Dame and Fordham.
"DeKenya is an outstanding individual and athlete," said Hayes. "She brings a lot to the table as a pitcher, hitter and team player. She's got a beautiful swing and we look for her to have an immediate impact."
The Terriers completed the 2000 season 36-19 overall, 19-7 in the America East Conference. They lost to Hofstra, 1-0, in the America East Championship.
"This class is very special since it is my first," Hayes concluded. "I think they are an exceptional group of composed, dedicated and athletic young women."
The Terriers will kick off the 2001 season on February 16 when they travel to Chapel Hill, NC, where the University of North Carolina will host the Triangle Classic.
