BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head softball coach Scot Thomas announced Thursday the signing of two talented players who will enroll at Tech in 2010 and begin playing in the spring of 2011. Dani Anderson and Kat Banks signed National Letters of Intent Wednesday, becoming the newest members of the Hokie softball team.

“This isn’t our largest signing class, but it’s one that features two very good players who can come in and play at several different spots,” Thomas said. “Dani is a quality player who comes to us from quality summer program, R & R Gold, in California. Kat is a pitcher/athlete, who has a lot of potential both in the circle and elsewhere in the line up. The sky is the limit for Kat, because I think her ability has just started to be tapped. It’s going to be fun to watch both of these players get better and better as Hokies.”

Anderson is a shortstop/third baseman from Rio Linda, Calif., where she attends Rio Linda High. She has been named all-conference all three years for Coach Robert Regpala, Anderson hit .394 her freshman year, .426 her sophomore and .379 last season.

“Dani is a tremendous competitor and a very versatile player,” said Barb Sherwood, who oversees the recruiting for Tech. “She can play anywhere in the infield. She also is a clutch hitter. She will contribute in numerous ways while playing for the Hokies.”

Banks will be a multi-purpose threat for the Hokies. She is a standout pitcher and shortstop at Beech High in Hendersonville, Tenn., where she led her team to a state runner-up finish last year. She has batted over .400 for her career in one of the toughest districts in the state of Tennessee and is 76-6 in the circle for her career heading into her senior season. As a junior, went 34-3 with 16 shutouts, 345 strikeouts and a 0.70 ERA in the circle. She also hit .418 with 13 doubles, four triples, five home runs and drove in 50 runs in earning first-team all-state honors. Banks plays travel ball for the Tennessee X-Plosion, where Brian Drake coaches her.

“Kat will make an immediate impact on our program,” Sherwood said. “She will see time on the rubber, at shortstop and at second base. She hits the ball for average and power, as well. She has the potential to be among the all-time greats here at Virginia Tech”