Seattle University head softball coach Dan Powers announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The incoming class of 2011 boasts an experienced group of impact players. Powers' newest class of signees are: Erin Crowley (Kent, Wash.), Ashley DeVaere (Riverside, Calif.), Jennifer "Jenny" Hurst (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Kaydi Kochi (Honolulu, Hawaii), Amber "Bubba" Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) and Amanda "Mandie" Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.).
"I am very excited about our 2011 recruiting class!," exclaimed Powers. "We have made a strong move towards the top of the PCSC with the six players we signed this week. Each player fits in perfectly with our softball program and will be excellent student-athletes for Seattle University."
"This class represents a big step forward in our Division I reclassification process and I'm confident they will leave their mark at Seattle U! All six signees want to win and bring a strong commitment to helping us put SU on the Division I softball map."
Outfield ∙ 5-8 ∙ L/L ∙ Kent, Wash./Kentlake
Washington native Erin Crowley was a four-year varsity letterwinner at Kentlake High School. In 2009, she boasted both the best batting average and on base percentage in the SPSL League. She earned Kentlake's Silver Slugger Award, was named to the Tacoma News Tribune's All-Area "Best of the Rest" and was selected "Athlete of the Week" by the Kent Reporter in 2009, as well. Crowley was named the 2010 SPSL North Co-Player of Player of the Year and Covington/MV Co-Athlete of the Year. That same season she earned All-SPSL First Team honors, was a Seattle Times "Star Times" and Tacoma News Tribune All-Area selection. The outfielder also has played for the Rainier Jets 18U Gold since 2007. At Seattle U, Crowley is undecided on her major.
Coach Powers on Crowley: "Erin brings outstanding defense to our outfield and a big left handed bat to our lineup. She is one of the most athletic outfielders we have brought to Seattle U and I can't wait to have her chasing down flyballs and making diving catches for us. Erin will contend for a starting position in the outfield next season."
Crowley on "Why Seattle U": "The day I took my visit, I told myself 'this is it'. I had no doubt in my mind that Seattle U was where I wanted to spend the next four years as a student-athlete. Allegra Wilde took me on a tour and showed me around. During that time, I got to talk to her about SU from the athlete's point of view, as well as from a student's point of view. She helped my realize that this school was a good fit for me, from the location, the small class sizes, the support system she gets from the school and the people who surround her every day. She had nothing bad to say, and she seemed genuinely happy to be there. She had a big impact on my decision to commit. There was also that feeling of being welcomed onto the team. Coach Powers has always been so happy and willing to talk to me about anything, at any time. It gave me a great feeling knowing he really wanted me as a part of his program.
Infield ∙ 5-5 ∙ R/R ∙ Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King
Ashley DeVaere is a versatile player, who boasts experience at second and third base, along with at shortstop. The right handed hitter was a three-year varsity starter at Martin Luther King High School, where was a part of two CIF appearances, in 2008 and 2009. DeVaere also guided the Wolves to a No. 10 ranking in the state of California. She is a four time recipient of the MLK Scholar High Honors Athlete Award and earned the USSSA MVP. The 5-5 infielder has played for several club teams since 2004, most recently joining the SoCal Fillys GOLD in August 2010. Her club experience includes winning the 2009 Pacific Region 14 Champions, finishing in second place at the 2006 National Profastpitch Inaugural and a first place finish at the 2005 USSA Nationals. She has also been a captain on multiple club teams she has competed with. At Seattle U, she is currently undecided on her major, but is interested in pursuing a career in forensic science.
Coach Powers on DeVaere: "Ashley impressed me from the first time I saw her play with her ability to always be in the right spot on defense. She made tough plays look routine and I love her intensity on defense. Her versatility will help our program immensely whether she is at third base, shortstop or even second base. Ashley swings the bat very well too and I'm looking forward to seeing her drive the ball in the gap for the Redhawks! Her bubbly personality fits in perfectly with the Redhawk family as well."
DeVaere on "Why Seattle U": "I fell in love with Seattle University the first moment I saw the school's rich history and tradition. I know that SU is the place to prepare me to follow my dreams, succeed and achieve my goals. The SU staff is second to none and cares about my success as a student and an athlete. The campus size, faculty and staff were also a big influence on my decision. The SU softball program's leadership qualities and the competitive conference will help me grow, learn and push me to be my very best."
Jennifer "Jenny" Hurst
Infield ∙ 5-2 ∙ R/R ∙ Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills
Southern California native Jenny Hurst will add experience in the infield for the Redhawks, as the four year varsity starter at Dana Hills High School has played at second and third base, and at shortstop. In 2009 and 2010, she helped guide the Dolphins to back-to-back appearances in the CIF playoffs. The 5-2 infielder was is a three-time South Coast League selection, most recently being named to the first team following her junior season in 2010. In 2008, as a freshman she was named DHHS Defensive Player of the Year and has been the LN Girls Softball home run recorder holder since 2006. Hurst has competed for the American Athletics Gold club team for the past six years. The team went to the National Softball Tournament three consecutive seasons, from 2008-10. In 2010, she was named to the All-State Tournament Team, Women's Open Division. At Seattle U, Hurst currently is undecided on her major.
Coach Powers on Hurst: "Jenny plays very big for her size. She gets a great read on the ball and has a quick transition to compliment her strong arm in the infield. Her bat is very impressive, as well, and I expect big things from her in a Redhawk uniform. Jenny has a high softball IQ and makes everyone around her better with her intensity and commitment to winning. She plays with a positive swagger that I like to see on the field."
Hurst on "Why Seattle U": For two years, Coach Dan Powers has been attending my softball tournaments and I couldn't talk to him because of 'rules'. I read about Seattle University, knowing the education would be outstanding. I could see how beautiful the city was and how competitive the softball program was, but you can't decide anything until you walk on the campus. The first time I visited the campus I thought it was beautiful, but overwhelming with the city and commotion. The second time I visited the campus, I knew it was the right fit for me. Having the other recruits there and getting a real feel of what life would be like at Seattle University, made my decision easy. Our softball team is going to be AMAZING and I know now that I will be a Redhawk for life."
Utility ∙ 5-5 ∙ R/R ∙ Honolulu, Hawaii/Mid-Pacific Institute
A three-year varsity starter at Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kaydi Kochi provides the Redhawks with not only versatility, but a winning resume. The utility player, who has experience both at catcher and in the outfield, she helped guide the Owls to the 2009 Hawaii State Tournament as a sophomore. In 2009, Kochi was also named to the All-Interscholastic League Second Team, catcher, and Hawaii All-State Third Team, utility. She capped off her junior season with back-to-back Hawaii State Tournament appearances, after MPI won the 2010 Interscholastic League of Hawaii Championship. In 2010, she was named to the All-Interscholastic League Second Team, catcher, and to the Hawaii All-State Second Team, catcher. She has played club softball since 2003 with the Hawaii Hurricanes. She currently is the team's captain, and helped the Hurricanes to a pair of state championship appearances. She also saw time over this past summer playing in the state of Washington with the Washington Acers. At Seattle U, Kochi is undecided on her major, but would like to pursue a career in sports medicine or physical therapy.
Kochi: "Kaydi is a shy player off the field but her game is very loud. She has good speed, a live arm and is an aggressive hitter. She can play catcher and in the outfield when you need her. I'm impressed with her athleticism and how she carries herself on the diamond. She is another great piece of the puzzle as we put together a championship team at SU. I look forward to Kaydi's development over her career and have no doubt she is going to make an impact for us."
Kochi on "Why Seattle U": I chose Seattle University because it allows me to play competitive D1 softball and get a great education. Also I really like the coaches and love the city. It has also been the school I always wanted to attend!
Amber "Bubba" Morrow
Catcher ∙ 5-6 ∙ R/R ∙ Auburn, Wash./Auburn
Catcher Bubba Morrow is a four-time All-SPSL League honoree, being named to the second team twice and to the first team as a junior and senior. At Auburn High School, she earned the Trojans Coaches Award in 2008 and 2009, and was team MVP in 2009 and 2010. As a senior, she had the SPSL League third-best batting average. Morrow also played for the Acers 18U Gold in 2009 and currently is her second season with Washington Ladyhawks -Miller 18U Gold. She was named team captain in 2011 of her club team. At Seattle U, the 5-6 Auburn, Wash. native will major in nursing.
Coach Powers on Morrow: "Bubba is a big time catcher that will help lead our team to new heights. Defensively, she has a strong arm and moves well behind the plate. Offensively, she carries a big stick! I look forward to having her in the middle of our lineup driving in runs the next 4 years. We are extremely happy she chose to stay close to home and know she'll keep the home crowd happy with some memorable shots! Bubba is a cornerstone for our future success and is helping us build a solid foundation for the future.:
Morrow on "Why Seattle U": "I chose to go to Seattle U because it's close to home and I could see my family. I also chose Seattle U because of the outstanding nursing program, it being a small school and how the class sizes weren't over-bearing, where I could get a great education and get help from the professors. I love the environment of Seattle U, when I went on my visit all the people I met were really personable and down to earth. I saw myself meshing well with my future teammates and they all had great things to say about Seattle U and the coaching staff. I love Seattle, the whole city and the weather it's perfect for me. The last reason why I chose Seattle U is because of the coaching staff, Dan and Sean were really friendly and after watching the team practice, I knew they would push me and make sure that I succeed not only on the field, but off the field as well."
Amanda "Mandie" Sugita
Pitcher ∙ 5-9 ∙ R/R ∙ Rossmoor, Calif./Los Alamitos
The lone pitcher in the incoming class, Mandie Sugita will add depth to the Redhawk pitching staff. A three-year varsity starter, the 5-9 right handed pitcher helped guide Los Alamitos to back-to-back CIF playoff appearances as a sophomore and junior. In 2009, she held the Sunset's League's best record during conference play, and led league in strikeouts in 2009 and 2010. She was named 2009 LAHS Rookie of the Year and the Foothill Roundtable Tournament MVP. Sugita has maintained above a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, landing her on the Scholar Athlete Award list since 2007. The Californian has played club softball for the past six years and currently is a member of the SoCal Athletics 18 Gold. In 2010, she helped guide the Athletics to the Premier National Championship. She has also received national recognition as a 2009 National Elite Future Athlete, a two-time Adidas Top-100 Athlete and a 2008 Future on Deck Athlete. At Seattle U, she is undecided on her major.
Coach Powers on Sugita: "Mandie is a power pitcher with excellent control and ball movement. She carries herself extremely well on the mound and should make an immediate impact in the circle for us next season. She keeps the ball down and in the infield which will keep us in games. She reminds me of Erin Martin, all-time Redhawk wins leader, with her pitching mechanics and focus. We look forward to her pitching some big games for us in the upcoming years."
Sugita on "Why Seattle U": "SU completely fit the preferences I had for a college environment: relatively small, private Christian and on the West Coast. Athletically, I want to play at a D1 school where I will be able make a difference in the softball program. I am excited about SU because I totally believe that I am going to be an impact player helping put SU at the top of D1 schools to contend with."