Katie Mertes signs her letter of intent with family members and coaches Tingler and Reif.

PARKVILLE, Mo. – Park University head softball coach Amy Reif and assistant coach Steve Tingler have signed Wichita Heights senior Katie Mertes to a national letter of intent and the slugging infielder will join the Pirates in the Fall of 2012.

Coach Tingler helped lead Mertes to one of the greatest single seasons in the history of the Smithville softball program her sophomore year.

Mertes played her freshman season at Smithville High School for Tingler, then transferred to Wichita Heights to finish out her career. Tingler spent 15 years as the head softball coach at Smithville and led Mertes to first-team all-state honors as a freshman.

She set the single season record for home runs with eight and single season RBI mark with 36.

The last two seasons at Wichita Heights, Mertes was named to the all-city and all-metro teams. Last year, she had a batting average of .631 with 53 RBI, 17 doubles and four home runs.

“Katie is the type of player that can come in and make an instant impact,” Reif said. “She is a versatile player that can catch behind the plate and play the corners of the infield, and can really swing it and were excited to have her join our squad next year.”

Park opens up the 2012 season on Saturday, Feb. 11 in Ottawa, Kan., for a doubleheader with Ottawa University at 1 and 3 p.m.

-PARK-