Yesterday in our Recruiting News & Notes article we listed Shelby as a commit and in this spotlight we learn more about how and why the sophomore finalized her college choice last weekend…

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Name: SHELBY HODO
High School: Northwest
City: Justin
State: 
Texas
Grad Year: 2017
Club: Texas Glory – Naudin
Position(s): catcher/infielder
Height: 5-foot-6
Academics: ranks 80/769 in her class at her Texas Class 6A school  located just north of Dallas/Ft. Worth.

Stats: as a freshman hit .298
Honors: invited to the OnDeck Colorado National Jamboree, Academic All-District

Scouting Report: has a 1.7 POP time and has excellent defensive catching skills, catches two D1 commits (going to Texas A&M and Memphis) with Glory – Naudin team.

College: Southern Illinois
Recruiting Process:  As told by her father, Brad…

“Shelby had early interest from Iowa St., Wichita St., Kansas, Louisiana Tech and Arizona State.  However, Southern Illinois watched several games at the Louisville Slugger Invitational in Longmont (Col.) over the Summer.”

“They expressed genuine interest to Coach Ed Naudin after the tournament.  She kept in touch with Head Coach (Kerri) Blaylock since then by phoning her and developed a nice relationship.”

“Through Coach Ed she set up an unofficial visit to campus this past weekend where she and I made the trip.  She did not know exactly what to expect but I knew SIU as a basketball school and was unsure myself.”

“To say the least we were blown away by the campus, the dedication the entire athletic department had towards athletes and their academics and of course Coach Blaylock herself.  She is a legend in that region and is a staple of the Southern Illinois athletic department.  Coaching stability was a definite plus in Shelby’s decision.”

“The athletic facilities are probably top 2 in the Missouri Valley Conference with the softball facility as nice as any.  If all that wasn’t enough Coach Blaylock laid out an incredible offer.  We watched a double header and Shelby told me during the secnd game she wanted to give Coach Blaylock her verbal commitment.”