ThunderWolves ink Otero JC standout Traxinger

PUEBLO, Colo. (April 15, 2010) – The Colorado State University-Pueblo softball program has received a letter of intent from Otero Junior College pitcher and former Niwot High School standout, Shannon Traxinger (Longmont, Colo./Niwot HS) to play softball for the ThunderWolves beginning in 2011.

Traxinger was a first-team all-NJCAA Region IX selection in 2009 after leading the Rattlers to the Region IX Championship and a top 16 finish in the NJCAA national tournament.  In 2010, she is on her way to the same honor, leading Region IX with a 1.45 ERA and a 13-4 record, striking out 96 batters in 120 innings.

At Niwot High School in Longmont, Colo., Traxinger was an all-state selection, helping lead Niwot to the state quarterfinals in 2007.

“Shannon has good character, is a hard-working kid and knows how to win,” CSU-Pueblo head softball coach, Shane Showalter, said.  “She's a strong pitcher, has good location and movement on her pitches, and throws a lot of ground balls.  We think she will be a great addition to our pitching staff.”

Traxinger joins a CSU-Pueblo softball program which is experiencing some its best success in program history.  In 2009, the ThunderWolves advanced to the Central Sub-Region championship for the first time in program history, and is on its way to a return trip to the national tournament in 2010, currently boasting a 20-10 record and flirting with a national ranking.