"This year's class will help us become bigger, faster and strong, as we continue our transition into Division I," said Powers. "All these players will help us reach our goal of winning the PCSC in the upcoming years. We are really excited about the future of Redhawk softball and what each of these student-athletes bring to our program and SeattleU."
Utility Player • Post Falls High School/Post Falls, Idaho
Richelle Ashburn of Post Falls, Idaho is a 2009 All-Conference Inland Empire selection. She currently is a senior at Post Falls High School and plays for Washington Spirit Gold club team. Ashburn will be an all-around asset for the Redhawks as a utility player, both in the field and in the mound.
Coach Powers on Ashburn: "Richelle reminds of Erin Martin with her control and poise the circle. She will be replacing Kelsey Reynolds in the circle, and will compliment Hannah Klein and Jessica Ulrich very well. She is a workhorse on the mound and has the mental toughness needed to succeed in college softball. Last summer she was on the same pitching staff as Jessica, while playing for the Spokane Sliders Gold team."
Pitcher/First Baseman• Pendleton High School/Pendleton, Ore.
Kelli Demianew is a three-sport student-athlete at Pendleton High School. The Oregonian will vie for time in the mound for the Redhawks. She has been named to the Intermountain Conference Team from 2007-09 and was an All-State 5A Second Team selection in 2009. Currently she also played for the Oregon Reign and helped lead her club team to their first Gold National Championship last summer. Demianew is a member of PHS' National Honor Society and hopes to major in biology at SeattleU.
Coach Powers on Demainew: "Kelli brings a solid bat and a impressive dropball to our program. She is developing into a very solid pitcher and we foresee big things from her in the future. Kelli is the first softball player from Pendleton HS to play Division I softball."
Outfielder • John F. Kennedy High School/Buena Park, Calif.
Brianna Guerrero is a two-time Inland Empire All-Conference Second Team recipient. While with John F. Kennedy High School she was the team's MVP and captain in 2009. She is from the same club team, Scorpions Gold, that produced current Redhawks Jessica Amador and Sandra Hernandez, as well as pitching coach Erin Martin. Guerrero plans on majoring in humanities for teaching at SeattleU.
Coach Powers on Guerrero: "Brianna is a switch hitter that brings a solid glove to the middle infield and quick release that is necessary at the DI level. She will primarily slap hit and use her speed to help set the table for our power hitters. I see her filling in nicely for senior Megan MacIsaac after this season."
Outfielder • Todd Beamer High School/Federal Way, Wash.
Outfielder Sarah Petosa is one of the top defensive outfielders in the Northwest. She is a fast base runner and will add depth in the Redhawk lineup. Petosa was named to the All-SPSL First Team and the Federal Way All-City Team in 2008 and 2009. She also plays for Washington Ladyhawks-Hawkins Gold club team. During the 2010 season she will be a team captain for TBHS.
Coach Powers on Petosa: "I watched Sarah develop into one of the top defensive outfielders in the Northwest this past season. She is going to have some big shoes to fill in the top-half of the lineup replacing current outfielder's Katie Petersen and Katie Antich. Sarah brings a solid slapping game and good wheels to our team, as she has a great mind for the game and is one of the best base runners I've ever recruited. She is going to bring a lot of excitement to our offense."
Utility Player • San Luis Obispo High School/Atascadero, Calif.
Karina Smyth will add depth to both the SeattleU offense and defense. She was an All-Pacific 7 and All-San Luis Obispo County selection from 2007-09. Smyth will captain SLOHS in 2010, in addition to being a three-time school Scholar-Athlete honoree and a member of the National Honors Society. She played catcher this past summer for her club team the SoCal Waves Gold.
Coach Powers on Symth: "Karina is solid hitter and defensive player from California. She has primarily played catcher for her summer team, but can play either corner position as well. Karina is going to push for playing time immediately next season, as she has great presence in controlling the infield and pitchers. She is a true student-athlete, in addition to excelling on the field she is a three-time school Scholar-Athlete award recipient and a member of the National Honors Society.