Picha and Klinge announce college choices

State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners softball student-athletes Sami Picha and Paige Klinge have chosen where they will continue their academic and athletic careers. Picha will continue her academic and athletic career at Central Methodist University. Klinge will continue her academic and athletic career at Columbia College. They made their announcements at a ceremony inside the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center on Friday afternoon, May 17. The pair helped the program to a 27-27 record this season. The 27 victories were the most in the history of the program.

Picha earned Second Team All-Region 16 team in the infield and Second Team Missouri Community College Athletic Conference All-Conference.

"Sami will be able to fit right into the program at Central Methodist and be able to help them out next year," said Head Coach Michele Rupard.

Klinge was named First Team All-Region 16 Team as a catcher as a sophomore.

"Paige chose to go to Columbia College because, she wants to go to nursing school at the same time," said Rupard. "The nursing school is really good, and the softball program has been successful in the past."

As a sophomore, Picha put together a .366 batting average on the season with 59 hits, seven home runs and 38 RBIs. Picha added 13 doubles and 42 runs scored for the season. Picha had a .472 on base percentage and a .578 slugging percentage for the season with 20 extra-base hits.

As a sophomore, Klinge had a batting average of .304, 11 home runs and 40 RBIs. Klinge also registered 45 hits and 10 doubles on the season. Klinge had a .390 on base percentage and a .595 slugging percentage. Klinge had 21 extra-base hits for the season.

 Klinge earned Second Team All-Region 16 and Second Team All-Conference in the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference as a freshman.

"We are very proud of Sami and Paige for making the choice to continue their careers at four-year institutions," said Rupard. "We thank them for their dedication to our program and can't wait to see what they do at the next level."

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics