Nov. 21, 2007

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team has added a new member for the 2009 season, head coach Kim Maher announced today. Molly Garst (Webb City, Mo.) has signed a national letter of intent to play softball for Purdue next year.

Garst, an infielder out of Webb City High School, is a four-time all-state selection, having earned first team honors on the diamond each season. The three-time Joplin Globe All-Area Team member led Webb City to the Missouri Class 3A state title in 2004 and 2007 under coaches Walter Resa and Kathy Harris. As a rookie, Garst set the record for stolen bases in state playoff games, while batting .602 as Webb City posted a perfect 32-0 record. As a sophomore, she led the team to a third-place finish in the Class 3A state playoffs, while batting .490 with 38 stolen bases. The following year Garst garnered first team all-region, all-conference and all-district accolades. Webb City won four straight district titles in her tenure, while also earning sectional and quarterfinal titles her freshman, sophomore and senior years. She also played varsity basketball her first two seasons and was a state relay medalist on the track team as a freshman.

The daughter of Kent and Kelly Garst has played summer ball for the Southwest Missouri Firestix and the KC Peppers Gold. The Firestix were five-time ASA State champs, two-time regional champs and made four ASA National appearances in her time with the team. Since joining the Peppers in the summer of 2006, Garst has been selected for the USSAA 18 Major World Team (2006) and as defensive MVP as the team won the USSAA 18 Major Championship and qualified for the ASA Gold Nationals in 2007. Academically, Garst is a four-year distinguished honor roll member. She also was chosen by the Joplin area Chamber of Commerce for the "Tomorrow's Leaders Today" program.

"Molly is a triple threat at the plate," head coach Kim Maher said. "She has power to hit the long ball, the ability to place a slap, and can drop a bunt for a base hit. Molly has good speed and is aggressive on the base paths and will fit our style of play offensively. Defensively, Molly is an athlete. She has a good glove, the ability to cover a lot of ground and will have one of the best arms in the infield. Molly plays the game smart and hard. She is exciting to watch and her excitement is contagious. I'm very pleased Molly will be a Boilermaker because she represents excellence in the classroom and on the field."

The 2008 Boilermakers begin their season at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash on Feb. 8.

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