UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University softball program has announced its most recent recruiting class, as the team will welcome seven student-athletes aboard for the 2017 season.
"This recruiting class addressed perfectly what our needs will be after this season. We will have the task of replacing two top-notch senior pitchers and will continue to build on our already strong catching core. The four battery signees will help us have more depth and options than any other team in the GLIAC. The three utility players immediately increases the overall athleticism of our squad and gives us great depth to work with. I am very excited to continue to build on our current success, and I feel this class will add what we need to reach our ultimate goal of fighting for an NCAA National Championship."
Click here for photos of the 2017 Recruiting Class
2017 SVSU Softball Recruiting Class
Mikayla Alexandrou
LHP
Southgate, Mich. / Southgate Anderson HS
Played for Finesse Black travel team
Received All-District and All-Region honors
"Mikayla will bring a different look to our solid pitching staff as a lefty. She has a great spin on her rise ball and has rock solid presence on the mound. Playing for one of the strongest travel programs in the state of Michigan will help her be ready from day one"
Kaylee Hartwell
Utility
Grand Haven, Mich. / Grand Haven HS
Played on Sabercats-Galloway travel team
Received All-District
"Kaylee has an infectious attitude and work ethic that will help us in many areas for years to come. She has played primarily middle infield, but has the foot speed and athleticism to play at a high level in the outfield as well. Her travel team won numerous events the past two summers, so she knows how to play in big situations"
Camila Lopez
Catcher
Pembroke Pines, Fla. / Pembroke Pines HS
Played for national power Plantation Pressure Gold travel team
"Cammie's defensive ability behind the dish will make an immediate impact on our program. Having played some of the toughest travel ball teams in the country will no doubt prove to help her be as "game ready" as any freshman that has come into this program in quite awhile. Combined with her travel ball running mate Emily, we have a duo from the Sunshine State that will make big waves in the GLIAC for years to come"
Emily Osteen
RHP
Coral Springs, Fla. / Coral Glades HS
All-County honors
Played for Plantation Pressure Gold travel team with Lopez
"Emily is going to be a force for us on the mound. She has all the tools to be a dominant pitcher for this program. She can throw in the mid 60s and has devastating bite on her movement pitches. Her mound presence is that of an elite college pitcher"
Samantha Stosiak
INF
Troy, Mich. / Athens HS
All-League and All-District honors
Top academic performer (NHS, Summa Cum Laude)
Played for Grizzles Black '98 travel team
"Sam is a warrior. She is the type of player we feel we can put almost anywhere and she can get the job done. Her success on and off the field will help her become a strong leader for our program"
Abby VanLake
C/3B
DeWitt, Mich. / DeWitt HS
All-Conference honors
Played for Lakeshore Storm travel team
"Abby's power at the plate and strong arm will help our program immediately. She can hit the long ball and the gap shot. She has a great glove whether it be behind the plate or at the hot corner"
Alison Willman
Utility
Wheeler, Mich. / Breckinridge HS
Played for Central Michigan Edge travel team
"Alison will join her sister Sam (will be a senior pitcher next year for us) as the second sister duo I have had the pleasure of coaching here at SVSU (Rousse sisters in 2015). Alison is the true definition of a utility player, having the nature athleticism to mold her game to fit wherever we need her the most. She's strong, quick, a very fast learner, and has an attitude of gold"
