This Month's News
August2014
Nemish adds more top ranked talent to the Lords recruiting class
August 14, 2014
Oshawa, ON
Durham Lords Media Release
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Nemish adds more top ranked talent to the Lords recruiting class
OSHAWA, Ont. – Durham College softball head coach Jim Nemish continues to bolster his line-up as he is adding four more top-ranked recruits. Joining the Lords for the 2014 season are Kate Jackson (Vars, Ont.), Justine Pike (Whitby, Ont.), Lindsay Geffros (Waterloo, Ont.) and Katrina Gammie (Guelph, Ont.).
“With the addition of these four players, we feel that we have addressed some needs from last year,†said Nemish. “Our recruiting class features talented players that are able to give us speed, depth and options at different positions. We are looking to have a very competitive training camp and carry that over into the regular season this fall.â€
KATE JACKSON – Pitcher/Outfielder
Community Services and Child Studies
While many people in the Durham Region may not know of the small town of Vars, they will most likely be hearing a lot of it this fall as Kate Jackson looks to make an immediate impact in the Lords line-up. The Community Services and Child Studies major captained the Orleans Rebels Midget team this summer and her strong play earned her a tryout for team Canada. With the national team, she had the opportunity to play a game against the United States at the Canadian World Series, where she scored a run in a 5-4 victory.
“As a left handed pitcher, Kate will be a welcomed addition for pitching coach Jamie Baker to work with. When not pitching, Katie will add depth to our line-up as she can play both the outfield and first base. Offensively, Kate is a contact hitter batting from the left side which will add balance to our line-up.â€
Jackson has earned a number of honours playing with Orleans including winning a bronze medal at the Beauregard Memorial Tournament in 2013, making a final four appearance at the Unionville Provincials in 2012 and earning two game MVP awards at the 2011 national championship. At the Unionville Provincials in 2011, Jackson pitched in a record setting 26 innings in two days, as the team finished in third place out of 19 teams.
“With the addition of Kate and returning left-handed pitcher Ashley Black, it gives our pitching staff complete balance to go along with our right handed pitchers. I believe that this will be one of our stronger pitching staffs that we have had in sometime.â€
JUSTINE PIKE – Catcher/Outfielder
Pre-Health/Nursing
Pike, a quick, hard throwing catcher from Whitby is familiar with the Durham College softball program having followed her sister Jessica who played with the Lords for the past three years.
Pike played for the Port Perry Intermediates this summer while previously suiting up for the Barrie Midgets in 2013 and the Whitby Eagles from 2004 to 2012. Last season, she had a .457 batting average and won the top batter award at the U18 provincial championship. Her strong performance throughout the season did not go unnoticed as she was picked up for the Mississauga Tigers at last year’s Midget Nationals.
“Justine will be a welcomed addition to our program as a catcher to take some of the load off of Kayla Gammie. She gives us another top catcher with a strong arm and great defensive ability blocking balls and throwing out runners from behind the plate. Justine works well with her pitchers guiding them and keeping them focused on their task.â€
In 2012 with the Whitby Eagles, Pike once again put up impressive numbers at the plate posting an average of .378. Her team went on to win the bronze medal at the U16B national championship as well as the gold medal at the CNE exhibition tournament.
“Justine offensively will add some strength to our line-up as she is a good contact hitter with a quick bat. We look forward to having Justine with our program and her addition will give us more options and depth at the catching position.â€
LINDSAY GEFFROS – Infielder/Outfielder
Sport Management
Geffros, who is enrolling in the sport management program, played this past season with the Guelph Midget Gators and has been invaluable to the team’s success playing all fielding positions. The Gators most recently won the Midget II provincial championship, beating Milverton 14-4 in the championship game.
The previous two years, she played with Waterloo where her team won the Eastern Canadian Midget Championship in 2013. She will be reunited with current Lords Ashley Black and Kayla Gammie, who were also members of the championship team in Waterloo.
“Lindsay brings speed, a strong arm and quickness in her defensive play and on the bases. She is also not afraid to get ‘dirty’ as we say. Offensively, Lindsay is a good contact hitter with the ability to hit the gaps and with her speed take the extra base when needed.â€
KATRINA GAMMIE – Pitcher/Third Base
Community Services and Child Studies
Playing for the Guelph along side Geffros at the Midget II Provincials, Gammie was a workhorse as she pitched every inning of the five games they played. The Gators were 3-0 to advance to the championship game were they eventually fell to Milverton 7-6. Being a double elimination tournament, the loss forced an ‘if necessary’ game. In the second championship game, Guelph would win 14-4 behind another strong pitching performance by Gammie to win the championship. Based on her play throughout provincials, she was awarded the Top Pitcher Award.
“Katrina will be a welcomed addition to the program. She is a third baseman/pitcher with the potential to add power from the right side of the plate and drive in runs, which was lacking from that side last year. Katrina has a strong arm from third with good defence at that position.â€
Gammie will be joining her sister, Kayla, who is entering her sophomore season with the Lords.
Durham will be on the field for training camp that is set to open on August 25th.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
