Marshall University Athletics
@HerdSB Announces the Signing of Eight Players
11/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall softball head coach Shonda Stanton has announced the signing of eight players for the class of 2021. Katie Adams, Armani Brown, Wylie Glover, Alyson Harrell, Sam Koehn, Tatum Ksiazek, Grayson Radcliffe and Rachel Rousseau will join the Herd beginning in the fall of 2017.
"This is an outstanding group of student-athletes with a unique dynamic and a great sense of pride in Marshall University," coach Stanton said. "I appreciate the hard work over the last couple of years by my coaches to solidify such a strong signing class.
"Character counts and we believe in the caliber of person in each of these individuals and thank them for choosing the Herd. They represent our core values and demonstrate the drive and competitive excellence it takes to win in the classroom and on the ball field. We look forward to coaching these athletes and watching them grow into strong, confident young women."
Katie Adams | C/P/1B | L/L | Hurricane, W.Va./Hurricane High School | West Virginia Outlaws
Katie Adams is a versatile player who has spent time as a catcher, pitcher and at first base. She was the 2016 West Virginia Softball Player of the Year as she hit .494 with six home runs, 12 doubles and drove in 55 runs for Hurricane High School. Adams also dominated in the circle with a record of 29-4, a 1.25 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 176 innings of work. She has helped lead her school to AAA state championships in 2015 and 2016. She plays travel ball for the West Virginia Outlaws Premier.
"Katie has proven to be successful in a number of ways propelling Hurricane to state titles," coach Stanton said. "She provides a number of options for us to utilize her skillset defensively and has a lot of pop in her bat. As a natural lefty she pitches, can play first base, has a strong arm as a catcher, and is another power hitting lefty needed in our lineup. She is a ballplayer with an understanding of what Marshall is all about being a local star who we are pleased is staying home."
Armani Brown | 2B/OF | L/R | Elk Grove, Calif./Cosumnes Oaks High School | LTG Lions
Armani Brown is a middle infielder and an outfielder and plays for Cosumnes Oaks High School. Another lefty, she has also been a star off the field as a member of the National Honor Society and the District Honor Roll.
"Armani is a versatile ballplayer with the ability to play either on dirt or in the grass up the middle," coach Stanton said. "She has great glovework and footwork. Armani will fit well into our offensive system with her quickness and athleticism. Her presence on the bases represents the pressure and aggressive style we like to play."
Wylie Glover | OF | L/R | Wichita, Kan./Valley Center High School | Wichita Mustangs
Wylie Glover is an outfielder who plays for Valley Center High School and travel ball for the Wichita Mustangs. Last season Glover hit .642 and was named all-league, all-metro and all-state.
"Wylie is a natural outfielder. She reads the ball well and gets great jumps covering a lot of ground," coach Stanton said. "Having played with the Mustangs she has performed at a high level of ball against top competition. Offensively she has great bat control and placement which makes her very effective from the left side."
Alyson Harrell | 1B | L/L | Gahanna, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln High School | Bandits
Alyson Harrell is a first baseman and plays for Gahanna Lincoln High School. In 2016, the young slugger hit. 533 with 16 home runs, 51 RBIs and a slugging percentage of 1.054. She was named to the All-State second team as well as first team All-Central District and All-OCC Ohio District in 2015 and 2016.
"Aly is one of the best power hitting lefties in the region," coach Stanton said. "She will be a force at the plate with the ability to consistently drive in runs and be a game changer with one swing of the bat. Aly is an exciting hitter to watch and will make a run at the Herd record books. She will be a tough out."
Sam Koehn | UT | R/R | Altoona, Iowa/Bondurant-Farrar High School | Iowa Blitz
Sam Koehn is a utility player for Bondurant-Farrar High School. Her career numbers, prior to the 2016 season, included a batting average of .446, 60 doubles, 14 triples, 12 home runs, 166 RBIs, 210 runs scored and 88 stolen bases. In 2016 with her travel ball team, the Iowa Blitz, Koehn hit .459 with 22 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 55 RBIs, 74 runs scored and 27 stolen bases.
"Sam is solid on the hot corner," coach Stanton said. "She has a great first step and with arm strength and athleticism she will give us the option of utilizing her at multiple positions. Her consistency in making plays and softball IQ makes her a dependable performer. Offensively she has great footspeed from the right side which will allow us to hit her in a number of places in the line-up."
Tatum Ksiazek | RHP | L/R | Altoona, Iowa/Bondurant-Farrar High School | Iowa Blitz
Tatum Ksiazek is a right-handed pitcher and a teammate of Koehn at Bondurant-Farrar High School and with the Iowa Blitz. Both players were 3A State Champions in 2013. Ksiazek helped lead the Blitz to top-10 finishes at the 2015 TopGun Invitational and the 2014 Colorado Sparkler Tournament, along with taking first place at the 2014 TopGun Invitational.
"Tatum will provide depth in the circle," coach Stanton said. "She spins the ball with the ability to mix speeds. She has a solid presence, fields her position well, and gives us options for the designated player since she can remain in the hitting lineup when on the mound. Having another lefty option at the plate fits well within our system. Her athleticism will also allow her to fight for time in the field."
Grayson Radcliffe | SS/C/UT | R/R | Glen Allen, Va./Patrick Henry High School | Hanover Hornets
Grayson Radcliffe is another versatile player who has spent time as a shortstop, catcher and utility playing for Patrick Henry High School. In 2016 she was named first team All-Conference, All-Region and All-Metro while hitting .524. Radcliffe also hit .438 with her travel ball team the Hanover Hornets.
"Grayson can flat out play on both sides of the ball," coach Stanton said. "Her energy, passion, and drive elevates those around her. She has great range at shortstop and is a solid field general behind the plate. She already has proven to be a leader within this dynamic group and will have a deep impact within our team culture. We knew she was a must get from the beginning of the recruiting process."
Rachel Rousseau | 3B/UT | R/R | Morgantown, W.Va./University High School | DeMarini Outlaws
Rachel Rousseau is a third baseman and a utility player staring for University High School. Rousseau was named the 2016 TRAC Player of the Year and in 2015 took home All-State first team honors, along with Dominion Post Player of the Year and OVAC All-Conference.
"Rousseau is solid defensively and will provide depth on the corners or possibly the outfield," coach Stanton said. "She moves well and has a good arm. Rachel is coming off a successful summer season with the Outlaws, being a consistent performer offensively. She has power potential at the plate and can compete in the heart of the line-up."
Marshall opens the 2017 season Feb. 10-12 at the Florida State University Tournament in Tallahasee, Fla.
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