Softball Signs Three Student-Athletes
November 26, 2008 | Softball
Nov. 26, 2008
BOSTON - Boston University head softball coach Shawn Rychcik has announced the signing of three student-athletes for the 2010 season today. Taylor Cowan, Chelsea Kehr and Jayme Mask will join the Terriers following three decorated careers at their respective high schools.
Cowan of Columbia, Mo., was a four-time all-district selection and three-time all-region honoree at Hickman High School and earned second team all-state accolades as a senior. A 5-11 pitcher, Cowan's named is etched in the Missouri state record books, ranking third all-time in games pitched (101), third in games started (100), fourth in innings pitched (6,481) and 14th in strikeouts (836).
In addition, she was an impressive 69-29 throughout her high school career. In her final season, which is played in the fall in Missouri, the squad was the district champions and advanced to the state sectionals. As a senior, she struck out 274 batters and owned a 0.82 ERA. Cowan also played for Gary Ennis' Missouri Rattlers in the summer. She is expected to add depth to pitching staff and will also get a chance in the batter's box. In addition to softball, Cowan was a three-sport athlete at Hickman, where she also participated in soccer and basketball. She chose BU over Eastern Illinois and Wisconsin.
"Taylor will give us an added arm in the rotation and gain experience as freshman to replace two graduating seniors," said Rychcik. "She is a hard-throwing pitcher that has very good control. She was the best pitching prospect in the state of Missouri this past year and we are very fortunate to get her."
A Trenton, N.J., native, Kehr will come to BU following a decorated career at Florence High School, where she is a two-time all-state selection and First Team All-South Jersey honoree. She is expected to make an immediate impact in the middle of the Terriers' lineup and is considered one of the best power hitters in the Northeast. As a freshman Rychcik sees Kehr as a designated hitter with the potential to see action at first base. Heading into her senior campaign, Kehr has been named a captain for the team's 2009 season.
In addition, she has been a four-year member of the 18U Jersey Inferno Gold team. Last summer she hit 17 home runs for the squad with a .487 batting average. She is also a varsity letter winner in basketball. Kehr chose BU over UConn, Penn State, Fordham, Colgate and Penn.
"Chelsea is the best power hitter I have seen the past two recruiting years," said Rychcik. "She comes from a big hitting travel team and should have similar numbers in college. She will move to first base eventually but as a freshman she will be an immediate threat in the lineup."
A local product out of Grafton, Mass., Mask is a three-time all-conference honoree and has ranked in the top 10 for batting averaging in the Southern Worcester County League (SWCL) since her freshman year. The first Massachusetts athlete to be signed by Rychcik, she is a member of the RI Thunder Gold, where she is currently batting .456 with a .486 on-base percentage. Over the summer she had 26 stolen bases for the RI Thunder Gold, and swiped 52 in her junior year at Grafton.
She also participated in indoor track and field as a sophomore and junior, and now holds the school record in the shot put as well as the 4x100-meter relay. Mask competed at the Nike Nationals as a member of the squad's 4x400-meter relay team. The 5-2 catcher/outfielder chose BU over UMass, Hofstra and Maine.
"Jayme is the first local recruit that has signed at BU since I became head coach," noted Rychcik. "We are excited that Jayme can play several positions and gives us speed on the bases. Her speed will put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses."
BU opens its 2009 season with six games in the San Jose State Tournament from Feb. 27 to March 1.
