The USU-Eastern softball team, led by manager Brittani Richins, will welcome seven new players to the program in the fall of 2017 after signing its recruiting class on Monday evening.
Ali Jennings, Avery Blackhurst, McKenzie Dorney, Kaitlyn Julian and Whitney Webster all signed National Letters of Intent to join the softball team. Shaylee Bunn from Bear River, and April Semetoa from Hunter, were not present at signing night, but will also be apart of the 2017 class.
“I think a lot of places over look Utah players, so our goal has been to try to recruit locally,” said Richins. “Hopefully they come here and show everyone just how good they really are.”
Signing in front of family and friends, the five incoming athletes expressed their excitement in joining the program. The group will be apart of the second class recruited by Richins and her assistant Brandi Lovato.
“The opportunity to continue playing softball and jump to the collegiate level is the best part,” said Dorney, a pitcher/shortstop from Bingham High School. “When I came for my tryout I went on a tour and the campus seemed really fun. That’s when I felt like I belonged here.”
Dorney, who batted .258 with 17 hits and nine RBI during her junior campaign, will be join USU-Eastern with current teammate Whitney Webster. While she’s excited to join her teammate, she credited the chemistry with the coaching staff and her future teammates as her reason for signing.
“When I came I loved the coaches and all my teammates,” said Webster. “I’m glad I got to have an experience like this tonight, and I cannot wait to start playing college ball.”
Jennings, a pitcher/outfielder from Murray High School, brings a solid arm and reliable bat. During her junior campaign she finished with a .345 average at the plate, along with 11 RBI, four doubles and a triple. On the mound she finished with a record of 9-4 and a team best 2.93 ERA.
“Definitely the jump from high school ball to accelerated ball has helped me develop,” said Jennings. “I’m so glad I have the opportunity to play past high school. It’s been my dream since I was little, so I’m super excited.”
Julian, a third baseman from Herriman High School, ended her junior season batting .262 with seven RBI. In the field she should play a compliment with Blackhurst, a middle infielder from Pleasant Grove.
“I’m super excited, but also super nervous,” said Julian. “It kind of hit me that now I’m going to college. It’s going to be fun to come down here, see all my friends and play softball at the next level.”