Nov. 13, 2003

WACO, Texas - Baylor softball head coach Glenn Moore announced the signing of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent here Thursday. The Lady Bears welcome Nicole Jackson and Katie Ottens to the program for the 2005 season.

Jackson, a left-handed pitcher from Midway High School in Hewitt, Texas, posted a 15-1 record with a 0.21 ERA last spring for the Pantherettes. She registered 102 strikeouts with only six walks and 39 hits allowed in 102.0 innings pitched. Jackson led Midway to the 2003 regional finals and was named District 15-4A Most Valuable Player. She played club ball for the Texas High Voltage Gold.

"Nicole is a true pitcher," Moore said. "She has great ball movement and tremendous accuracy, and she will complement the rest of the staff. Nicole is a model student-athlete, and we are very fortunate she chose to attend Baylor."

Ottens, a shortstop, will come to Baylor from Hollywood Christian School in Sunrise, Fla. She was named second-team all-state by the Florida Sports Writers Association and first-team all-Broward County by The Miami Herald after hitting .430 with 37 runs scored and 21 RBI last spring. Ottens led Hollywood Christian to the 2003 state title, the school's fourth since 1995. Ottens played club ball for the Davie Power.

"Katie is one of the best defensive shortstops I've seen in quite a while," Moore said. "She can also put up numbers offensively. Katie has enjoyed very good coaching in one of the top travel organizations in the Southeast, and she is fundamentally sound. She has very quick hands and feet along with a tremendous arm."

Baylor opens its 2004 season Feb. 6-8, hosting Auburn, North Texas, Northwestern State, Pacific and Wichita State for the third-annual Getterman Classic.