Softball Inks Four for 2012
11/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 17, 2010
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss' head softball coach Howard Dobson announced the signings of Sydney Aguilar of Pasadena, Texas, Kaitlyn Friedel of Cypress, Texas, Carissa Turang of Corona, Calif., and Caroline Walker of Woodville, Miss., to national letters of intent and grant-in-aids for the 2012 season.
"What's nice about this recruiting class is they add instant depth to our program," Dobson said. "We also added speed and some versatility because they all are capable of playing different positions."
Aguilar was a three-year letterwinner at Pasadena Memorial High School where she earned the Houston Chronicle's All-Greater Houston Area second team. She earned second team 22-5A all-district honors as a sophomore and first team accolades as a junior. She was twice named her team's most valuable player. Aguilar also received NFCA South Central Region second team accolades.
"Sydney is an outfielder who is a gap-type hitter," Dobson said. "She does have home run power here and there, but will hit a lot of doubles. She is quick and has a strong arm."
She also plays for the Texas Storm Gold travel team coached by Larry Durham and Joe Wymer. She is the daughter of Bruce and Kelly Aguilar.
Friedel comes to Southern Miss from Cypress Ranch High School where she was a member of the school's first softball team. The middle infielder batted .600 with four doubles, six triples and one home run. As a junior, she was named her team's most valuable player while leading the team in batting with a .464 average with six doubles and five triple.
"Kaitlyn is a kid I've known since she was tiny," said Dobson. "She is a right-handed hitter that plays more second base and has a little more power. She will be able to hit in the middle of the lineup, but is capable of moving up as well."
Prior to Cypress Ranch, she played a season at Cypress Woods where she helped the team to a 17-5a district title with a 13-1 record. She earned all-district accolades and was tabbed the Newcomer of the Year with a batting average of .381 with six doubles.
She plays on the Texas Eclipse Gold in Houston with current Golden Eagles players Mackenzie Sher and Taylor Brown. She is the daughter of George and Dianne Friedel and has two older sisters, Amy, who played softball at Texas State, and Leigh.
Turang is a middle infielder out of Santiago High School where she is a Big 8 all-league. She earned all-area second team and helped her team to the league championship with an undefeated record. She was named the team's best all-around player with a .611 batting average. "Carissa is a left-handed hitter," Dobson said. "She is more of a slapper than a hitter, but she also can hit. She is really quick and comes from a big athletic family. Her father played second base for the Seattle Mainers and her older sister plays centerfield for Oklahoma softball and soccer."
Turang earned 2010 Spring Fling all-tournament team honors and helped the Courage of Gold Team travel team finish 13th in the ESPN Premier Nationals. She also was a teammate of current Golden Eagle Danielle LaPointe. She is the daughter of Brian and Carrie Turang and her sister, Briana, is a sophomore soccer and softball player at the University of Oklahoma.
Walker, a multi-sport athlete, comes to the Golden Eagles from Wilkinson County Christian Academy where she was the starting shortstop and leadoff hitter during the 2010 season. She is a three-time team MVP, district MVP and a three-time all-district selection. Walker led her team in stolen bases while receiving the Golden Glove Award twice. She was selected to play in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools South All-Star team and was named the South's MVP.
"Caroline is a local player from Woodville," Dobson said. "She is a lefty slapper, but she also can stand it and hit. She is very quick with speed."
As a senior, she batted .651 with three home runs, 18 RBI and 23 stolen bases and had a fielding percentage of .986.
Walker played travel ball with the Louisiana Lady Hawks and helped them win the ASA Louisiana State, Red Devils GIT, USFA Gulf State and USSSA National Championships. While competing on the Lady Hawks' team, she batted .510 and had an on-base percentage of .547.
Walker also earned letters in track, basketball and tennis. She is the daughter of Carl and Robin Walker.
"We are really happy with all four because we've been on them for a long time and they were highly recruited from different places and other colleges, and decided to come here," said Dobson.
 Sydney Aguilar with parents Bruce and Kelly Aguilar, grandparents, siblings and coach  | |
 George, Kaitlyn and Dianne Friedel | |
 Carissa Turang with parents Brian and Carrie and siblings | |
 Seated Robin, Caroline, Carl and Bennett Walker. Standing AD Billy Jack Caston, Softball Coach Ray McDaniel, Track Coach Mike McGraw | |