ROCHESTER, Mich. - Lauren Pletscher, Devon Smith, Jamie Squires and Rachel Zerona all signed a National Letter of Intent to be members of the Oakland softball team next season, announced head coach Connie Miner.

Oakland Softball Early Signees

LAUREN PLETSCHER - C/OF
Swartz Creek, Mich.
5'6" - Catcher/Outfield

Highlights
▪ 2014 & 2015 Flint Metro Academic All-League selection
▪ Hit .714 in 2015 district series helping team to district championship
▪ Graduated as Valedictorian with high honors from high school in only three years

Why Pletscher chose Oakland:
▪ Actuarial Science program
▪ Opportunity to play college softball
▪ Close to home

Miner on Pletscher: "Lauren will join her sister Carah who is currently a member of the team. She is a gifted athlete with very strong defensive skills behind the plate and hits for power. We can also use Lauren's skills in the outfield with her strong arm. She is currently playing for the top travel ball organization in Michigan and will graduate from high school in three years so that tells you how she excels in the classroom. Lauren takes that same approach and work ethic to her softball skills and expects perfection and success there as well."


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DEVON SMITH
Gloucester, Va.
5'5" - Catcher/Middle Infield/Utility

Highlights
▪ Two-year All-Conference first team selection and second team All-Region selection
▪ Helped led team to conference championship in 2013-14.
▪ Multiple honor roll selection and Spanish Honor Society member

Why Smith chose Oakland:
▪ Amazing softball program
▪ Beautiful campus
▪ Distance away from home

Miner on Smith: "Devon is a true all around utility player. She plays for a very strong travel ball program out of Virginia that just finished third at the 16 and under National Championship with 181 teams competing. Devon has it all-speed, power, quickness, strong arm and understands the game. I will look for strong leadership from her as a freshman. Her positive attitude and competiveness is contagious! Devon will come right in and make an immediate impact in our softball program both on and off the field. She is a game changer and above all, is an outstanding young woman that we are blessed to have in our program."


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JAMIE SQUIRES
Canton, Mich.
5'5" - Outfield

Highlights
▪ 2012-15 MSSCA (Michigan Softball Coaches Association) All-Conference, All-District and All-Regional team selection
▪ Helped Michigan Pride club team to 12U USSSA (United State Specialty Sports Association) State Championship
▪ Set Salem record for home runs in a season

Why Squires chose Oakland:
▪ Good physical therapy program
▪ Great softball program
▪ Beautiful Campus

Coach Miner on Squires: "Jamie is another amazing all-around athlete that can play anywhere on the field. She has outstanding power as evident with 17 home runs in high school last year which has her as one of the top power hitters in the state. She is unique in the fact that she possess this kind of power but also has outstanding speed to steal bases for us. Jamie has great quickness, reactions, first step and a powerful arm and has gained outstanding experience while playing for the top travel ball organization in Michigan. She is a wonderful young woman that is all about her team and helping them win games."


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RACHEL ZERONA
Canton, Mich.
5'4" - Outfield

Highlights
▪ 2015 All-Conference, All-District team selection
▪ Helped led team to division, conference and association championship in 2013 and 2015
▪ 2015 All-Observer first team selection and 2013 and 2104 honorable mention

Why Zerona chose Oakland:
▪ Great medical program
▪ Great campus
▪ Softball team

Coach Miner on Zerona: "Rachel is a very special player with outstanding speed and strong arm in the outfield. With the tremendous jump Rachel gets in the outfield, nothing drops in. She is a triple threat at the plate with being a slapper that can hit with some power as well. Rachel will always be a threat on the base paths to steal bases for us. She has played on top teams her whole career in travel ball as well as in high school so she comes in with an attitude of success and confidence. Rachel is a true team player that will do anything to help her team succeed on and off the field."



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