THIS YEAR: Freshman Nicki Sprague is a versatile infielder who can play a number of positions but will surely impact the offense regardless of her position ... Has an advanced left-handed bat which should provide power and bolster the heart of the lineup.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played four seasons of varsity softball at Charter Oak High School in Covina, Calif., for head coach Scott Higuera ... Earned All-CIF recognition all four years, including first team honors three consecutive years ... Was also an All-Sierra League first team pick all four years ... Earned all-area first team honors her final two years after garnering second team twice as a freshman and sophomore ... Named Sierra League MVP as a senior in 2013 after batting .557 (54-for-97) in 30 games with 37 runs, 33 RBIs, 18 doubles, five home runs, and 10 stolen bases ... Played in the 2013 North-South San Gabriel Valley Senior All-Star Softball game, along with current Azusa Pacific teammates Jaime Bejarano and Abry Moreno ... Helped lead Charter Oak to a 23-7 season and an appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinals her senior year ... As a 2012 junior, batted .513 (40-for-78) with 35 runs, 21 RBIs, seven doubles, and five home runs ... Had a batting average over .400 both her freshman and sophomore years ... Finished her career with a four-year average of .487, scoring 123 runs with 92 RBIs, 45 doubles, seven triples, and 14 home runs in a stellar prep career ... Also played one season of volleyball as a setter her freshman year ... Received the All-Sierra League Academic Award her senior year.
PERSONAL: Born Dec. 29, 1994, in Fontana, Calif. ... Parents are Russell (transportation supervisor) and Tina (executive assistant at Azusa Pacific) Sprague ... Is the youngest of three children with one brother (Jason) and one sister (Angie) ... Sister Angie finished a four-year softball career at Azusa Pacific last year and now serves as an assistant on the current coaching staff ... Majoring in social work.
