EL PASO, Texas – UTEP softball head coach
Tobin Echo-Hawk announced the signing of seven recruits for the 2020 season on Friday afternoon.
The recruiting class features student-athletes from outside of the Lone Star State, with five from California (Ashley Williams, Isabella Hanson, Alanda Cardon, Amanda DuPriest and Cecilia Jurado), one from Arizona (Zaylie Calderon) and one from Colorado (Isabella Kelly).
The seven new Miners will look to replace the depth that the 2019 senior class will leave behind, as seven seniors are set to graduate at the conclusion of this season.
"We are extremely excited about this recruiting class," Echo-Hawk said. "They are all great athletes, but more importantly great people. They will add a ton of depth to our program. I can't wait to get them all on the field."
Zaylie Calderon | UTL | Mountain View High School | Tucson, Ariz.
HIGH SCHOOL: Named to the 2018 All-Southern Arizona Softball All-Star first team … was a AZPreps 365 5A Southern All-Region second team selection (2017) as a pitcher … selected to the AZPreps 365 5A Southern All-Region first team … has a career .434 batting average … during junior season, reached base safely in 29 of the 31 games … has thrown 196 innings in career at Mountain View, registering 203 strikeouts with an average of 1.04 Ks per inning … during junior campaign, Calderon recorded a career-high .962 fielding percentage.
Coach Echo-Hawk's Take: "Zaylie is a very explosive player and will definitely bring some speed to our program. She will be fun to watch next year."
Ashley Williams | C | Whitney High School | Rocklin, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in three seasons at Whitney High School … locked in a .345 batting average with 15 RBI and seven doubles in junior season … helped lead team to an appearance in the second round of the state playoffs … proved to be a reliable player behind the plate … recorded two hits and three RBI in a victory over Del Oro High School (3/12).
Coach Echo-Hawk's Take: "Ashley is a very good defensive catcher, as well as a great team player. Her maturity and softball IQ behind the plate will add to our pitching staff and team's success."
Isabella Kelly | P | Legacy High School | Westminster, Co.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was a four-year letter winner at Legacy … helped lift squad to an undefeated league record (11-0) in senior season … was a state finalist in senior season, and led team to being ranked sixth in the state … accumulated 35 victories in the circle … in final season produced a 2.69 ERA, only giving up 22 earned runs in 65 innings of work … logged a two-hit, seven-strikeout outing against Greeley West (9/25).
Coach Echo-Hawk's Take: "We are excited to have Izzy as part of our program. She has been a winner in high school and knows how to compete against the best."
Isabella Hanson | C/3B | Troy High School | Fullerton, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was a Freeway League second-team selection (2017) … belted six homeruns in junior season and registered a .365 batting average … recorded a .941 fielding percentage and 34 putouts.
Coach Echo-Hawk's Take: "Bella is a true gamer, she plays with so much passion and love for this game. We can't wait to have her on the field."
Alanda Cardon | UTL | Calaveras High School | Mokelumne Hill, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Small Schools All-State selection … Co-MVP of Mother Lode League … is a two-time state finalist … in junior season, had a staggering .515 batting average with a team-high seven home runs and 42 RBI … registered a .554 OBP and a 1.465 OPS … she locked in 53 assists in the field and 57 putouts … in two games against Bret Harte High School (3/19 & 4/3) totaled six hits and eight RBI … Cardon has 25 stolen bases in high school career
Coach Echo-Hawk's Take: "Alanda is one of the most versatile players that we have recruited. We could put her anywhere and she would do a tremendous job."
Cecilia Jurado | OF | South El Monte High School | El Monte, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Has a .438 career batting average in three varsity seasons … has batted in 40 runs and has accumulated 27 extra-base hits during career … converted on 26 of 28 stolen base attempts … registered a .977 fielding percentage, along with 341 putouts in the field … locked in 10 multi-hit games during junior campaign … helped lift team to a 20-2 record, and an unblemished 12-0 run in league play.
Coach Echo-Hawk's Take: "Cecy is very sound both offensively and defensively. Her consistency and work ethic will be a great addition to our outfield."
Amanda DuPriest | P | Del Oro High School | Penryn, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: 2018 All-Metro honorable-mention selection … recorded a 2.12 ERA during junior season … produced an 8-3 record with one save in 2018 campaign … struck out 85 batters in 62.2 innings of work … held opponents to a .211 batting average when in the circle … registered 14 strikeouts and threw 129 pitches in a one-hit complete-game victory over Granite Bay (4/25) … has yet to commit an error in the field at the varsity level.
Coach Echo-Hawk's Take: "Amanda is a great addition to our pitching staff. She has played at a very high level and we can't wait to add her experience to our pitching staff."
