GREENSBORO, NC – UNC Greensboro head softball coach Jennifer Herzig announced the addition of 2005 Southern Conference Player of the Year Janine Sprague as a volunteer assistant for the 2007 season.
Sprague, a Hillsborough, NC, native, arrives at UNCG by way of East Tennessee State University where she starred for four seasons in the Buccaneer outfield. Sprague, who earned Southern Conference Player of the Year during her junior season, made her mark on the ETSU record books during her career, breaking six single-season hitting records.
Sprague currently holds ETSU records in batting average (.358), slugging percentage (.557), on-base percentage (.398), hits (70), doubles (18), triples (6) and total bases (112). She also became the first-ever Buccaneer to earn all-region honors during the 2005 season when she was named to the All-South Region second team.
During the 2004 season Sprague led the Buccaneers in every offensive statistical category and was selected as a member of the All-Southern Conference second team. She compiled 40 putouts and only one error, giving her one of the top defensive marks with a .979 fielding average. Sprague also tallied 18 doubles and six triples during the season.
In her freshman campaign, she earned first team All-Southern Conference honors after setting single-season records in batting average (.327), on-base percentage (.417), runs (33), hits (53) and tied the single season mark in walks (24). She was the only freshman to start in all 54 of the Buccaneers' games.
“I am extremely excited to announce the addition of Janine to my coaching staff for the 2007 spring season,” said Herzig. “After playing college softball for East Tennessee State University in both the Southern and Atlantic Sun Conferences and as a member of the StormUSA softball team (Women's League A Division) this summer, Janine brings a wealth of playing experience to the table, which gives our current players yet another resource to tap into here at UNCG.”
Herzig and Sprague are very familiar with each other. Herzig recruited Sprague to ETSU out of high school and worked with her during her tenure at ETSU as an assistant coach.
“Not only am I thrilled to see Janine getting her start in collegiate coaching with the Spartans, this is personally a very proud moment for me," said Herzig. "From recruiting Janine when she was in high school to coaching her at ETSU, welcoming her onto my coaching staff now is like bringing a family member home. Janine has meshed perfectly with our team and her ultimate contribution to the Spartan Softball program will only be limited by how hard she chooses to work."
Sprague will work with the Spartan outfielders and hitters.
The Spartans open the 2007 season on Friday when they begin play at the Jacksonville Tournament in Jacksonville, FL. UNCG will face Southern Illinois at 1 pm and Minnesota at 3 pm.
- UNCG -