JERSEYVILLE, IL  -- Lauren Brown of Jerseyville High School, has decided to sign her NJCAA Letter of Intent to play softball. Opting not to pursue volleyball nor basketball,  she will stay on the diamond with the Kaskaskia College Blue Angels. Lauren will add to an already strong '20 recruiting class for first year Head Coach John Barnes.  Lauren plans to study to become a teacher.  She is the daughter of Greg and Angela Brown of Jerseyville.

Just shy of 6'0", Lauren's impressive wing span will surely be noticeable while roaming the outfield at KC.  While playing with either, Jerseyville High School or her travel team, the Illinois Esprit, she has excelled as a left handed power threat at the plate. With her ranging ability to play defense, while hitting for high average and power, she has been awarded, 1st Team All-Mississippi Valley Conference honors her sophomore and junior years.  She was also named, 1st Team All-Metro Area last season after leading the area in batting average. With three high school sports and a brimming summer ball schedule, Lauren still has time to be active in her school's Student Council, Class Council, and the Blue Crew, all while being a high honors student, carrying a 4.8/5.0 GPA.

Coach Barnes' first recruiting efforts has already netted a cast of pretty talented players for next season, and he adds that Lauren is no exception. "There was definitely a plan in place on how to fill our voids and strengthen our roster, in which I feel that we have accomplished.  But you don't always know how a player is going to handle the transition of being a college player.  That's why you try to find that certain combination of talent and character. Saying that we have found various levels of that combination, can be said of all of our in-coming recruits. In Lauren, not only do we have a college-ready player in regards to her physical make-up and skill set, but she has an air about her that gives me an impression of her self-confidence. She carries herself in a way that lends me to believe that she will be able to handle the grind of a college season. With most college teams, full of award winning high schoolers, the mental game is what separates them. With that said, I am confident that Lauren's mentality will allow her to excel at this level too."

Seated (l-r):  Angela Brown (mother), Lauren Brown (#22), Greg Brown (father)

Standing (l-r):  Jim Corby (Esprit Coach), John Barnes (KC coach), Mike Hall (Esprit Coach)