Posted: Dec 15, 2009
The newest Bruins include: catcher Melissa Ackley (Omaha, Neb./Millard North HS), outfielder Caitie Kaneer (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence HS), third baseman Kristin Burhenne (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Abraham Lincoln HS), utility player Becky Bomberger (Crete, Neb./Crete HS), and catcher Augusta Ratliff (Bethany, Mo./South Harrison HS).
Ackley was a three-year letterwinner under coach John Swoboda at Millard North High School where she batted .325 for her career with 17 doubles and 25 RBIs. She was named co-captain during her senior season and helped lead the Mustangs to two district titles and two fifth-place finishes at the Nebraska State Tournament.
Ackley is the daughter of Brian and Barb Ackley and played club softball for the Echoes Renegade Gold under coach Tony Larry.
A three-year starter at Bishop Kenny High School, Kaneer will play her senior season at Providence High School. She batted .463 with 12 doubles, four triples and 20 RBIs over her final two years at Bishop Kenny. Kaneer was named the 2009 Florida all-state softball Player of the Year in Class 4A after finishing the year with a .486 batting average and a .531 on-base percentage.
Kaneer, the daughter of Robert and Cindy Kaneer, was named to the Honor Roll and earned the 2008-2009 Bishop Kenny HS Scholar Athlete Award.
Kaneer played club softball for the River City Rebels 18U Gold under coach Gary Gouldthread.
Burhenne was named to the Council Bluffs all-city first team, while earning second team all-conference accolades at Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln High School under coach Pat Kroll. She batted .277 with 12 RBIs during her junior campaign.
An excellent student, Burhenne earned academic all-conference honors in basketball and was named to the Honor Roll three-straight years.
Burhenne played club softball most recently for the Iowa Sluggers under coach Darren Peterson.
Bomberger was a 2009 first team Class B all-state selection at Crete High School under coach Shawn Carr. A three-time all-conference selection, Bomberger batted .440 during her senior campaign, with 9 doubles, 2 home runs and 36 RBIs.
Bomberger is the daughter of Dean and Jennifer Bomberger. She was named to the Crete High School Honor Roll four quarters.
Bomberger played club softball for the Nebraska Chaos and the Nebraska Nemesis.
Ratliff earned 2009 second team all-conference and all-district honors while playing at South Harrison High School under coach Chad Smith. She batted .342 with 2 home runs, 3 doubles, 11 RBIs and 4 stolen bases during her senior season.
Ratliff was named to South Harrison's Honor Roll during the 2009-10 academic year.
