Pam Poff, a standout catcher from Tallmadge, Ohio, has signed a letter of intent to continue her fastpitch softball career and further her education at Mount Vernon Nazarene College.
Poff led Tallmadge High School to the Division II State Final Four in 1999 as she posted a .359 batting average and led the team with 31 runs batted in, a .510 on-base percentage, and a .551 slugging percentage. She is one of only three position players to start as a freshman and letter all four years for Tallmadge, who has won seven state championships including back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998. In fact, Poff was part of 100 victories during her four-year career.
Poff was an All-Suburban League selection in each of her final three seasons, and she capped off all the honors by being named to the All-Ohio Division II Second Team at the conclusion of her senior season.
In addition to her softball honors, Poff was also the setter on Tallmadge's successful volleyball team that made it to the State Final Four in each of her four years and finished as the State runner-up in 1995, 1996, and 1997. She was also a member of the Student Senate, the French Club, the Spanish Club, and the Home Economics Club.
"Pam is an incredible athlete with a lot of ability," said MVNC head coach Jeana Howald. "We are really excited that she is coming to be a part of our program, and I am looking for her to contribute right away."
"I really liked the small college atmosphere and felt that this was a very good fit for me," said Poff on making MVNC her college choice. "I love Mount Vernon as a town already and was familiar with a lot of the town. I wanted to play softball at the college level and I like Coach Howald. I felt that this would be the place for me to continue playing the sport I have loved for so long."
MVNC posted a 16-24 record in 1999 despite losing three starters for the majority of the season due to injuries. The Lady Cougars also just missed out on qualifying for the American Mideast Conference Tournament. Ten of the team's losses were by one run and two of them came in extra innings.
