NCAA Division I schools continue to sign Butler talent

After a season where the Butler softball team went 45-10, won the conference championship and breezed through the Region tournament, it is no surprise that NCAA Division 1 schools have come calling.

Butler has had seven players from the 2011 team sign with NCAA Division I schools, including three players who were just freshmen. Two more Butler players will likely accept Division I scholarships before the summer is over, one of which is another freshman.

"I think it's great." Butler head coach Doug Chance said. "If we can get these players a good offer after their freshman year, they need to take it."

The list of Division I signees so far includes Clarisa Navarro (Arkansas), Stacia Boeckstiegel (Missouri State), Simone Patterson and Leah Becker (Southeast Missouri State), Sarah Shanika (Wright State), Courtney Kasson (Eastern Illinois) and Kelli Nicholson (Nebraska-Omaha). In addition, Cassady Haworth signed with DII Arkansas Tech and Kelsee Farmer has signed with Friends University of the NAIA.

Despite the number of talented players who are transferring, Chance isn't concerned about next year's team.

"We have a great recruiting class coming in as well as a few Division 1 transfer players," Chance said. "I don't think we will miss a beat."