FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University softball coach Stacey Johnson Vallee has announced the signing of utility player Melanie Bisek of Oregon, Wis., to a national letter of intent to attend FMU this fall and play for the Patriots in the spring of 2007.
Bisek, 5-6, is transferring to Francis Marion from Parkland College in Champaign, Ill., where she played for coach Chuck Clutts. She will have two years of eligibility at FMU.
This past spring, she hit .324 with 26 runs scored, 10 home runs, 36 runs batted in, and 12 stolen bases. She helped lead the Cobras to a 50-8 record, the M-WAC title, and a spot in NJCAA Division II national championship game. She earned All-Tournament honors at the Region 24 tournament. Her home run total ranked her among the Top 25 national leaders.
She played her freshman year at Muscatine Community College for coach Scott Beatty. She garnered honorable mention All-Conference recognition as Muscatine posted a 53-12 record and was ranked sixth nationally.
Bisek was a three-time All-Conference performer at McFarland High School, playing for coach Steve Schmikla.
“Melanie will be a vital player for us in 2007,” said Vallee. “Her ability to play all over the field, including pitch, will give us more line-up options this spring. She will also add immediate college experience to our roster.”
Francis Marion lost only one senior from its 2006 squad that finished 27-16. For the third straight year, the Patriots narrowly missed earning a bid to the NCAA Division II national tournament.
Bisek joins outfielder Jessica Birchmeier of Port Richey, Fla., left-handed pitcher Michaela Wolf of Littleton, Colo., and infielder Kat Beauvais of Manassas, Va., as newcomers to the Patriot program for 2007.
