Branson signs with Jennies softball

The University of Central Missouri Jennies softball squad announced that Marisha Branson will be wearing the Cardinal and Black next season for head coach Susan Anderson.
"Marisha is a great addition to our team and we are extremely excited to sign her to UCM." Anderson said, "She will make a big impact as a freshman and we're expecting big things from her the next four years."
She will join the class of Abby Dickson of Belton, Mo., Kelli Kurka of Sullivan, Mo., Megan Leonard of Purdy, Mo., and Tiffany Eden of Ochelata, Okla.
           
Marisha Branson - Shortstop
5-5 * Freshman
Keller, Texas* Keller High School
           Branson was a first-team all-district and academic all-district selection as both a junior and senior for head coach Mo Fritz... She also served as the team captain during her senior campaign and hit .405... She plays during the summer for head coach Kay Rosser and the Bandits-Gold team... Branson plans to major in chemistry at UCM.

Abby Dickson
            Dickson, the daughter of Mark and Donna Dickson and attending Belton High School, is a 5-4 outfielder. She earned all-conference and all-district honors her last two years and was named second-team all-state this past season at Belton, and lettered all four years on the diamond. Dickson, who will major in education, also participated in basketball, track and soccer.
            “Abby is a true lefty who is a triple threat at the plate,” Anderson said. “She can drop the bunt, slap and hit for power.  She will also be a threat on the bases.  In the outfield she has an amazing arm and great range.”
           
Kelli Kurka
            Currently attending Sullivan High School, Kurka is the daughter of Stan and Debbie Kurka, and will major in physical education/sports management at Central Missouri. A 5-7 catcher, she is a four time all-conference and all-district selection, and has been named to the all-regional squad three times. She has been named first-team all-state each of the last two seasons and was second-team selection her sophomore year. Kurka has been a part of three conference championships and four district championships, and helped them to a second place finish at state during her freshman season. She also lettered in basketball and track.
            “Kelli is a great addition to our UCM squad,” Anderson said. “She is a very athletic catcher and a leader behind the plate.  She will definitely add power to our batting order.  I also love Kelli's hard work and competitiveness.”
           
Megan Leonard        
            Leonard is a 5-7 left-handed pitcher from Purdy, Mo. The daughter of David and Vicki Leonard, she is currently attending Crowder College in Neosho, Mo. where she was a first-team all-region selection last season. In high school she was an all-conference and all-district pick all four years, and she was selected as the conference player of the year twice. Leonard was also named to the all-region and all-state teams three times.
            “Megan will be a definite force in the pitching circle,” Anderson said. “She has all of the tools necessary to be a top pitcher in the MIAA.  She is a lefty with great movement and velocity.  She has proved that she can hold her own pitching against some of the better Division I schools.”
           
Tiffany Eden  
            Eden, the daughter of Kenny and Jeanette Eden, is attending Crowder College, and is a 5’5 shortstop. Last year she was named to the NJCAA Division I all-regional team. In high school she was named to the all-district team four times and was the district MVP her senior year. Eden was all-state in track competing in the 300 meter hurdles.
            “Tiffany is a true competitor and a great middle infielder with lots of range,” Anderson said. She has demonstrated that she can hit for power at the junior college level.  We hope that she continues that power hitting at UCM.” .