(Rolla, Mo.) – Missouri S&T softball coach Don Kennedy announced the signing of three student-athletes for the 2015 season and another that will transfer in at the start of next semester. The new Lady Miners for next year are Ashley Rausch, Miranda Thompson and Kati Viets. Bethany Rader will be joining the team this January.

"These kids bring us more pitching depth and have some really good hitters in it," Kennedy said.

Ashley Rausch, a senior pitcher and infielder from Washington, Iowa, went 17-11 and had an earned run average of 2.42 in the circle as a junior and hit at a .413 clip with 17 doubles, three home runs and 49 runs batted in. She is a two-time Iowa Class 4A third team all-state selection and helped lead her team to back-to-back fourth place finishes at the state tournament.

"She can pitch but also has experience at first base and in the outfield as well," he said. "She's got a good arm, throws the ball well and has some pop in her bat too."

Miranda Thompson, 5-4, catcher from Ballwin, Mo., played her high school ball at Marquette High School for head coach Chris Meador. She hit .462 as a senior with six doubles, three home runs, a triple and 27 runs batted in. Thompson helped guide the Mustangs to the Class 4 District 7 championship and the sectional round of the state playoffs this past season. She earned first team all-conference, all-district and all-region honors as senior.

"She came on strong as a senior helping her team to the state playoffs. She's a catcher, but can also play outfield," Kennedy said. "Miranda's got a good arm and can hit the ball out of the ballpark."

Kati Viets, 5-4, pitcher from Sweet Springs, Mo., was a four sport letterwinner at Sweet Springs. She earned two varsity letters in volleyball, two in track and field, three in basketball and three in softball. For her career she hit .538 with five triples, 12 doubles, 13 home runs and drove in 63 runs. She was 26-for-27 in stolen bases and scored 56 runs. In the circle she compiled a 32-2 record with 0.74 ERA. She struck out 374 batters in 206 innings pitched and averaged 1.82 strikeouts per inning while yielding just one walk per contest. She threw 16 shutouts, seven no-hitters and had five perfect games. Viets has been a part of a two straight conference championship teams.

"I'm really looking forward to her getting her," Kennedy said. "She's a really good pitcher that has had a great career at both the high school and summer ball levels."

Bethany Rader, a 5-9 pitcher and infielder from Memphis, Mo., played at Scotland Count High School for Kim Small. She was a three-time first team all-conference, all-district and all-region selection. She has been named to the Kirksville Daily Express All-Area team each of the past four years. This past season she added first team all-state to her resume. This past season she helped lead the Tigers to a 14-3 campaign and to the Class 1 District 9 semifinals.

"Bethany is coming off a good high school career," Kennedy said. "She's a good power hitter and can pitch it well."

The Lady Miners are scheduled to open their 2014 schedule on February 22 against Ohio Dominican University in Evansville, Ind.