COLLEEN RONEY SIGNS WITH FERRIS STATE SOFTBALL

Bulldogs' Recruiting Class Now At Three With Roney On Board

Colleen Roney

"Colleen is a skilled outfielder who swings from the left side," said FSU head coach Keri Becker. "She will also have a perfect opportunity to compete for a starting spot in the grass.

"We're looking forward to her raising havoc with the opposition's defense because of her speed from the left side of the plate," added Becker, who starts her 11th year at the helm in 2008 and owns the distinction of being the program's all-time winningest coach.

Roney received all-state honorable mention and All-Western Sun Conference recognition as a senior in 2007 while leading Glenband South High to a 32-6 overall record and a 14-0 conference mark. The Raiders, coached by Julie Fonda-Smith, also claimed regional, sectional, and conference championship titles in the 2007 campaign. Roney batted for a .344 average with 45 base hits in 131 at bats to go with 12 runs batted in and 16 stolen bases. The team captain and all-area pick also totaled five extra-base hits and had a .977 fielding percentage.

As a junior, Roney hit .215 with 14 hits in 65 at bats and stoled six bases. GSHS posted a 27-10 overall record to go with a first-place 9-1 league mark and a regional championship crown.

Along with earning three varsity letters in softball, Roney also attained a letter for three years in varsity dance. The 5-4 outfielder served as the president of the Key Club, Pep Club, and Big Brother/Big Sister during her senior year.

The daughter of Michael and Ginny Roney of Grandville, Mich., Colleen plans to major in resort management at FSU. Her older sister, Shannon Roney, will enter her senior year in 2008 as a member of the Loyola University (Ill.) softball team.

Roney joins Brooke Lewis (Columbiaville/Lapeer) and Lynsay Weaver (Bay City/All Saints) as the Bulldogs' 2007 signees to date. All three will begin particpation this fall in preparation for the upcoming 2008 spring season.

Ferris compiled a 31-17 overall record for the 2007 season, which included a 14-6 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) regular-season mark. The Bulldogs made their fifth NCAA Division II Regional Tournament appearance in the program's history last season and the second one in the last three years.