SEATTLE – Seattle University softball has announced the addition of four newcomers for the 2022 season. Coach Geoff Hirai will welcome transfers Jocelynn De La Cruz, Izzy Dino, and Madison Kahwaty and incoming freshman Naomi Chaidez for next season.
Hirai guided SU to a second straight WAC Tournament Championship in 2021, as the Redhawks returned to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament.
De La Cruz, a native of Menifee, Calif., is a 5-10 graduate transfer from Middle Tennessee State. The righthander played third base, first base, and catcher at MTSU, totaling 17 home runs and driving in 86 runs as a four-year starter. De La Cruz batted .303 in 2021, good for second on the Blue Raiders. She will have one year of eligibility remaining.
"Jocelynn gives us experience right away being a four-year starter at Middle Tennessee State," said Hirai. "She is a true competitor with serious pop in her bat. As a grad transfer, we see her impacting us right away."
Dino, a native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, is a 6-2 righthanded pitcher. She pitched for three years at the University of Hawai'i, throwing a no-hitter as a freshman. Dino was picked 2019 Big West All-Freshman Team. She played on the Philippines Senior Women's National Team at the USA Softball International Cup in the summer of 2019. Dino has two years of eligibility at SU.
"We have known Izzy for a long time," said Hirai. "She has been coming to our camp since she was a junior in high school. We missed on her the first time around so when we had to chance to get her from Hawaii, we jumped at that chance. She has a great spin and will do great here at Seattle U."
Kahwaty is a 5-10 infielder from Livermore, Calif. She was a three-year starter at the University of Pacific, where she led the team in hitting in 2021 with a .314 batting average and 12 stolen bases. Kahwaty earned All-West Coast Conference Second Team honors for her efforts. She will have two years of eligibility left.
"Madison is a great athlete who has been a starter for three years at University of the Pacific," said Hirai. "She has all the tools you want in a middle infielder. She has power, speed, a strong arm, and a great glove. We look forward to seeing her in the red and black."
Chaidez is a 5-6 righthanded pitcher out of Anaheim, Calif. She is a member of the highly-regarded Corona Angels club team. Her prior club, Ohana Tigers Gold, was ranked sixth in the nation by FloSoftball in 2016. At Paramount High, Chaidez earned San Gabriel Valley All-League four times and was inducted into the City of Paramount Hall of Fame. She recorded a 4.4 grade point average while also playing volleyball in high school.
"Naomi is a true competitor in the circle," said Hirai. "She comes from a great travel ball team that competes with the best in the country. We look for her to come in right away and compete for innings."
Hirai guided SU to a second straight WAC Tournament Championship in 2021, as the Redhawks returned to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament.
De La Cruz, a native of Menifee, Calif., is a 5-10 graduate transfer from Middle Tennessee State. The righthander played third base, first base, and catcher at MTSU, totaling 17 home runs and driving in 86 runs as a four-year starter. De La Cruz batted .303 in 2021, good for second on the Blue Raiders. She will have one year of eligibility remaining.
"Jocelynn gives us experience right away being a four-year starter at Middle Tennessee State," said Hirai. "She is a true competitor with serious pop in her bat. As a grad transfer, we see her impacting us right away."
Dino, a native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, is a 6-2 righthanded pitcher. She pitched for three years at the University of Hawai'i, throwing a no-hitter as a freshman. Dino was picked 2019 Big West All-Freshman Team. She played on the Philippines Senior Women's National Team at the USA Softball International Cup in the summer of 2019. Dino has two years of eligibility at SU.
"We have known Izzy for a long time," said Hirai. "She has been coming to our camp since she was a junior in high school. We missed on her the first time around so when we had to chance to get her from Hawaii, we jumped at that chance. She has a great spin and will do great here at Seattle U."
Kahwaty is a 5-10 infielder from Livermore, Calif. She was a three-year starter at the University of Pacific, where she led the team in hitting in 2021 with a .314 batting average and 12 stolen bases. Kahwaty earned All-West Coast Conference Second Team honors for her efforts. She will have two years of eligibility left.
"Madison is a great athlete who has been a starter for three years at University of the Pacific," said Hirai. "She has all the tools you want in a middle infielder. She has power, speed, a strong arm, and a great glove. We look forward to seeing her in the red and black."
Chaidez is a 5-6 righthanded pitcher out of Anaheim, Calif. She is a member of the highly-regarded Corona Angels club team. Her prior club, Ohana Tigers Gold, was ranked sixth in the nation by FloSoftball in 2016. At Paramount High, Chaidez earned San Gabriel Valley All-League four times and was inducted into the City of Paramount Hall of Fame. She recorded a 4.4 grade point average while also playing volleyball in high school.
"Naomi is a true competitor in the circle," said Hirai. "She comes from a great travel ball team that competes with the best in the country. We look for her to come in right away and compete for innings."