By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---Oliviah Banister, a 5-11 infielder from Wauseon High School in Wauseon, Ohio, has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Owens Community College next year.

As a junior, Banister was named Second Team All-Northwest Ohio Athletic League (NWOAL). As a sophomore, she hit .398 with three home runs and 24 RBI en route to being named Honorable Mention All-NWOAL.

Banister, who will be a two-time team captain when her time is done at Wauseon, is a National Honor Society member and earned Academic All-District honors as a junior.

"Oliviah has a huge bat," said Owens Community College head softball coach Marcus Smith. "And outside of softball, she comes from an awesome family. She's a great kid who is also a very good student in the classroom.

Banister, who becomes the program's first player from Wauseon High School in nearly 15 years (Heather Veith, 2002-03), is the seventh member of the 2016-17 recruiting class. She joins Noel Gilley (RHP/1B) of Ashley Ridge High School in Summerville, S.C., Courtney Cadle (SS) of Monroe High School in Monroe, Mich., Josie Monroe (C) of Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio, Alexa Schmeltz (3B) from Eastwood High School in Pemberville, Ohio, Mikayla Ludwig (RHP) of Walter Wellborn High School in Anniston, Ala. and Ronni VanSteenkiste-Amador, a utility player from Blissfield High School in Blissfield, Mich.

The Owens softball team, which captured Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) and Region XII championships last year en route to a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament appearance, will open its 2016 season March 4-13 in Florida. They are scheduled to play 20 games during the trip.

Notes

For a look at the full 2016 Owens softball schedule, visit here