Contact: Tim Ertle

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State University softball team has added seven athletes during the NCAA's early signing period who will enroll in school next August and be eligible to compete for the Vikings during the 2013 season. Alyson Broschk, Briana Combs, Lauren Look, Susan Knight, Katelind Phillips, Alisha Silva and Darien Ward have all signed National Letters of Intent to attend Cleveland State and play for head coach Angie Nicholson.

"I am very excited about the signing of this class," Nicholson said. "This is a large class with seven signees that is very talented both on the field and in the classroom. This group will continue to add depth and keep this program moving in the direction that we have been going in for the past six years. They know and understand where this program is and where we want to be!"

Alisha Silva, a second baseman at Keystone (Ohio) High School, was one of two players from the state of Ohio to be named to the All-American first team by Louisville Slugger and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association last season. She hit .563 with 31 RBI and 21 stolen bases.

"Alisha has the potential to earn a spot right away," Nicholson said. "She fits right into our style in the fact that she is fast and powerful and you can't go wrong with both speed and power. She can play anywhere on the field which is a bonus but I see her fitting in the outfield for us."

Silva's high school teammate Alyson Borschk is also a member of the signing class.

Broschk, who teamed with Silva to help lead the Wildcats to a 32-2 record and runner-up finish in the Division II state tournament, was part of a Keystone lineup that clubbed a state record 33 home runs last season. She primarily plays right field for Keystone, but has the ability to change positions when she gets to the next level. 

"Alyson is a very good hitter who will add some pop to the lineup and will work to find a spot at first base or in the outfield," Nicholson said. "She's another great athlete with endless potential."

Another duo will come to Cleveland State already familiar with each other. Pitcher Briana Combs and catcher Lauren Look have formed a battery over the summers while playing in Michigan. The two intend to be roommates.

Combs led Ladywood (Mich.) to the Division II semifinals by pitching three consecutive complete games. She finished her junior season with a 32-2 record and a 0.22 ERA. In her 253 innings of work, she recorded 324 strikeouts. At the plate, she hit .528 with 74 hits and 41 runs scored.

For her efforts, Combs was honored as a second team All-American by ESPN Rise.

"Briana is a finesse pitcher who also has a great work ethic and knows and understands what hard work is all about," Nicholson said. "I am excited to see how much she develops and adjusts to the college game. She is a student of the game and I know she is ready for the challenge."

Look, the catcher for Pinconning High School (Mich.) was an All-Northeast Michigan Conference and all-district selection in 2009 and repeated both honors in 2010, adding all-region and all-state honorable mention honors to her resume.

Last year she earned all-conference, all-district and all-region honors.

She's a power hitter who belted a school record 10 home runs in 2010.

Look is engraved in the Michigan record books after she homered in three consecutive at-bats and drove in nine runs in one game, the second highest single game total in state history.

"Lauren is a catcher who actually has caught Briana for many years," Nicholson said. "She is a very smart catcher who gets the game and knows exactly what to do. I am thrilled to work with her and see her work with the rest of the pitching staff.

All-Ohio selection Susan Knight enters her senior season at Edison High School (Ohio) with a reputation as one of the best players in the area. In the circle, she was 17-7 as a junior in 2011 with a 1.25 ERA and 180 strikeouts.

She also hit .560 with 30 runs, 30 RBI, 30 runs and six home runs as a junior.

In Knight's sophomore season, she went 20-4 with a 0.83 en route to helping the Chargers capture the first regional title in school history. In a game against Huron, she recorded 27 strikeouts in 17 innings to enter her name in the state record books.

"Susan is a powerful young lady with a great work ethic! She will come in and help our pitching staff out and when she is not pitching she can play anywhere on the infield," Nicholson said. "Susan is just a true athlete," the coach added of Knight who also plays volleyball and basketball.

Katelind Phillips hit .482 and stole 32 bases last season at Monroe Central High School (Ind.). In high school, she played mostly in the infield - primarily at shortstop before moving to third base. She expects to play in the outfield at Cleveland State.

"Katelind is another true athlete who just plays the game the way it should be," said Nicholson. "She plays hard! We see her as a gap hitter who can get it done at the plate and who will run down a ball in the outfield. I cannot wait to work with her!"

Darien "Peanut" Ward of Elyria High School (Ohio) was the last to sign her letter of intent.

She comes from a winning program as she started as a freshman to help the Pioneers capture the 2009 state championship.

Last season, she hit .426. The year before, she hit .300 and was a perfect 16-for-16 in stolen base attempts.

"She is a little speedster who will make things happen for us offensively" said Nicholson. "She has great hands on the infield and will add to the group of young infielders we have now. I think Peanut is only going to get better!"