BOWLING GREEN, Ky.--WKU softball head coach Amy Tudor announced the signings of National Letter of Intents of five players for the 2016 season. Joining the Lady Toppers is Cassidy Blackford (Marshalltown, Iowa), Bryce Holmgren (Roland, Iowa), Beka Engelhardt (Rockport, Ind.), Kelsey McGuffin (Elizabethtown, Ky.) and Hannah Mabrey (Phoenix, Ariz.).
"Within this class, I feel like we had to recruit athletes that have the potential to make an immediate impact" said Tudor. "We are bringing in two pitchers that will hit, a corner utility and two middle infielders to round out the initial signing class. Graduating eight seniors at the end of the 2015 season, we have a lot of holes to fill. I feel like for our first signing class, it's a strong class with very versatile kids."
Blackford comes to The Hill from Marshalltown High School in Iowa, where she was an All-Conference and All-Area right-handed pitcher for the Bobcats. Helping her team be state qualifiers for the first time ever in 2012, Blackford earned All-Tournament honors that season. Blackford has also earned two varsity letters in volleyball and track, as her 4x100 relay team has been Drake Relay qualifiers in 2013 and 2014.
"Cassidy will be able to help us in the circle immediately after graduating two senior pitchers," said Tudor. "She is trained very well, and she will be able to put the ball in two different planes. In high school, she was injured, so she hasn't had much game-time experience, but this year, her senior season, she will be able to get game time experience and continue to develop."
A five-year varsity letterwinner for Roland-Story High School in Iowa, Holmgren has earned multiple All-State, All-District and All-Conference accolades in her career. A Scout Softball All-American and USSSA World Series Game MVP, Holmgren holds the highest career (.483) and season (.582) batting average in her high school's history. Holmgren also earned the Wendy's High School Heisman State Award, which recognizes outstanding students across the country for their athletic prowess, academic achievement and leadership within their community. Holmgren is another multi-sport athlete in the signing class, involved in track and volleyball.
"Bryce is an intuitive and intelligent young lady," said Tudor. "She is the lone left-handed hitter in this signing class, which I am excited to have a presence on that side of the plate. She has the potential to hit the ball hard, and she also has the potential to help us in the circle. For me, I wanted a pitcher/utility in this class, and Bryce fits that mold."
Engelhardt is a three-year varsity starter for South Spencer High School in Indiana, helping her school win its first-ever state championship in any girls' sport. An All-Conference, All-Region and All-State selection, Engelhardt has earned numerous team awards, including Clutch Hitter, Best Batting Average and Best Defense. This past season, she hit .470 in season and .500 in postseason.
"Beka is a very athletic third baseman," said Tudor. "I think the kid could play a lot of different positions for us. Her quickness and instinctiveness will help us both offensively and defensively."
McGuffin is a three-time All-State selection out of Central Hardin High School in Kentucky. Named the 5th Region Player of the Year as well as Kentucky East-West All-Star and Section 2 Player of the Year, McGuffin is currently third in home runs in KHSAA history. For as stellar as she is on the field, she is just as great off the field, named an Academic All-State honoree three times.
"Kelsey is the lone Kentucky signee that has a very big personality," said Tudor. "She has an exceptional arm and has the experience with middle infield and outfield. She's eager to learn, and her attitude is contagious. We are looking forward to having her on the team."
Mabrey will come to Bowling Green from Arizona, as she has lettered four years at Pinnacle High School. Mabrey was named Blue and White MVP her sophomore year while earning Defensive Player of the Year in her junior season. She has helped the Pioneers to the state playoffs every season.
"Hannah is primarily a second baseman," said Tudor. "Coach Aja (Paculba) recruited her and connected her to WKU. She is quick, hits from the right side and is another kid that is fun to be around, and we are looking forward to having her on the team."
Tudor and the Lady Toppers kick off the 2015 season in February, as the official schedule will be released later this week. Check on WKUSports.com for the release.
The 2015 WKU softball season is being presented by the United States Marines. This season, the Marines and WKU Athletics are working together to promote the outstanding athletic and academic achievements of our female student-athletes. The Marines are proud to work with and support these future leaders of America.
For more information on WKU softball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the team on Twitter via @WKUSoftball.
