Huskies Sign Eight For 2019
November 06, 2017 | Softball
SEATTLE - The Washington Huskies announced eight commits on Signing Day 2018.ย Madison Banks, Silent Rain Espinoza, Madison Huskey, Ari Quinoñes, Sami Reynolds, McKenzie Schulz, Francesca Torraca, and Megan Vandegriftย all signed with Washington and will begin competing for the Huskies in the 2019 season.
"As a whole, this class is extremely versatile, competitive, and deep," said Head Coach Heather Tarr.ย "They have developed relationships amongst each other and with our coaching staff for several years.ย They will be well-versed in the traditions of Husky Softball the second they set foot on campus."
Madison Banks
Bettendorf, Iowa
Shortstop/Second Base
Iowa Premier
Banks comes to Washington after winning a Premier Girls Fastpitch national championship and IDT Boulder championship while playing for the Beverly Bandits.ย In addition to her softball prowess, Banks is also a two-time school record holder and state champion in track.ย She also competed in club ball with Iowa Premier.
Tarrย was excited for Banks' signing, saying that "she brings energy, intensity, and enthusiasm to our program.ย She's a versatile, multi-sport athlete with plus speed who will help us in various ways."
Banks on UW: "I picked Washington because I instantly felt at home once I talked to the coaches and stepped foot on campus.ย I wanted to go to a school where it was both academically and athletically challenging and would push me to become a better student and athlete.ย I'm excited for the chance to win the Women's College World Series!"
Silent Rain Espinoza
Alpine, Calif.
Infield
Corona Angels
One of two Corona Angels set to join the Huskies, Espinoza has excelled as an infielder throughout her high school and club career.ย Espinoza was named a Max Preps All-American and an All-State player for California.ย In both 2016 and 2017, Espinoza made the Underclass All-American teams as well.ย In both the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Espinoza hit over .500 for Christian High School, with a line of .545/.612/.818 as a sophomore and .569/.647/1.045 as a junior.
"Silent Rainย is another left-handed power bat whose defensive skills can play in the middle of the field," said Tarr.ย "Her experience with some of the most competitive teams in youth ball will prepare her to come in right away and make an impact."
Espinoza on UW: "I chose UW because it felt like home.ย I wanted to be able to compete with the best academically and athletically."
Madison Huskey
Cerritos, Calif.
Catcher/Outfield
Corona Angels
Huskeyย led the California Interscholastic Federation in home runs and was named the Division II Player of the Year for her work at Gahr High School.ย Huskey was also a part of the PGF championship team in 2014 as well as the PGF Shootout championship in 2016.ย She was named All-State for California after hitting .549/.559/1.263 her junior year of high school, also earning an Underclass All-American honor for that performance.
"Madi brings to our program right-handed power and versatility in the field," said Tarr.ย "She is another in a long line of successful Corona Angels players who have thrived in our program."
Huskey on UW: "I chose UW because I wanted to compete at the highest possible level on the field and in the classroom."
Ari Quinoñes
Vista, Calif.
Utility
Athletics
Quinoñesย was named not only Mission Hills High School's Player of the Year after her junior season, but the Avocado East League MVP as well.ย She hit .632 that season, with 25 extra-base hits in 25 games.ย ย Quinoñesย also won a PGF championship in 2015.ย She was named to the All-Section Team for the San Diego area as well as a junior by both the San Diego Union Tribune and East County Sports.
"Ari has speed and can hit for power from the left side," said Tarr.ย "She has a plus arm in the middle infield.ย Her competitive experience will allow her to compete for time right away next year."
Quinoñesย on UW: "Everything about Washingtonย and the environment exceeded what I wanted in a school.ย Even though I am a few states away from where I grew up, it still feels like home."
Sami Reynolds
Snohomish, Wash.
Outfield
Washington Majestics
One of three Washingtonians joining the Huskies, Reynolds won a state championship with Snohomish High School in 2016 while hitting .462 with a .507 OBP.ย Reynolds' performance on the field earned her First Team All-Area honors in 2016 and 2017.ย In 2014, she helped lead Snohomish SWAT to the second-place finish in Washington.
Tarrย was impressed by Reynolds' ability to "hit for power and run with plus speed.ย I think she will contend for time right away in the outfield for us."
Reynolds on UW: "This is such an incredible college and I can't see myself going anywhere else.ย I'm so blessed to be given this opportunity and want to compete for a national championship!"
McKenzie Schulz
Monroe, Wash.
Pitcher
Northwest Bullets Campos
Schulz helped Monroe High School to a third place finish in the state in 2017.ย She was named one of the Seattle Times' Players to Watch before that season and shone at the PGF Surf City Camp over the winter.ย Schulz was also recognized as one of USA Today's Performers of the Week after striking out 29 over two games in March of 2015.
Tarrย was excited by Schulz's potential, saying that the "power pitcher will add depth to our staff.ย She will have an opportunity to compete for pitching time with a veteran staff next year."
Schulz on UW: "Washington has been my dream school since I was nine years old."
Francesca Torraca
Raritan, N.J.
Outfield
Beverly Bandits
A four-time All-Conference selection in high school, Torracaย is also a part of the Puerto Rican national team and competed in the 2017 World Cup of Softball.ย Torraca also earned a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup of Softball earlier in her career and reached 1000 career hits in her junior year at Immaculata High School.
"Fran can hit for both average and power," said Tarr.ย "Her experience playing softball on the best travel clubs back east, combined with her Puerto Rico experience, will allow her the confidence to come in and compete for time right away."
Torracaย on UW: "I chose UW because its the perfect place for me.ย It combines friendliness and competition."
Megan Vandegrift
Buckley, Wash.
Shortstop/Second Base
Washington Majestics
Vandegriftย found immediate success while at White River High School, taking second place in the state her freshman year.ย She was named First Team All-Area last season and was First Team All-League after her sophomore and junior seasons.ย As a sophomore in 2016, Vandegrift hit .515, scoring 30 runs in just 20 games played.
"Megan is a plus defender in the middle of the field," said Tarr.ย "She brings speed and a triple threat to our lineup."
Vandegrift on UW: "I love the family atmosphere and the beautiful campus.ย I have always wanted to win a national championship as a Husky since I saw the 2009 team win.ย Plus my favorite color is purple."
Make sure to follow Husky softball on Twitter with the username @UWSoftball and on Instagram at uwsoftball.
ย
"As a whole, this class is extremely versatile, competitive, and deep," said Head Coach Heather Tarr.ย "They have developed relationships amongst each other and with our coaching staff for several years.ย They will be well-versed in the traditions of Husky Softball the second they set foot on campus."
Madison Banks
Bettendorf, Iowa
Shortstop/Second Base
Iowa Premier
Banks comes to Washington after winning a Premier Girls Fastpitch national championship and IDT Boulder championship while playing for the Beverly Bandits.ย In addition to her softball prowess, Banks is also a two-time school record holder and state champion in track.ย She also competed in club ball with Iowa Premier.
Tarrย was excited for Banks' signing, saying that "she brings energy, intensity, and enthusiasm to our program.ย She's a versatile, multi-sport athlete with plus speed who will help us in various ways."
Banks on UW: "I picked Washington because I instantly felt at home once I talked to the coaches and stepped foot on campus.ย I wanted to go to a school where it was both academically and athletically challenging and would push me to become a better student and athlete.ย I'm excited for the chance to win the Women's College World Series!"
Silent Rain Espinoza
Alpine, Calif.
Infield
Corona Angels
One of two Corona Angels set to join the Huskies, Espinoza has excelled as an infielder throughout her high school and club career.ย Espinoza was named a Max Preps All-American and an All-State player for California.ย In both 2016 and 2017, Espinoza made the Underclass All-American teams as well.ย In both the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Espinoza hit over .500 for Christian High School, with a line of .545/.612/.818 as a sophomore and .569/.647/1.045 as a junior.
"Silent Rainย is another left-handed power bat whose defensive skills can play in the middle of the field," said Tarr.ย "Her experience with some of the most competitive teams in youth ball will prepare her to come in right away and make an impact."
Espinoza on UW: "I chose UW because it felt like home.ย I wanted to be able to compete with the best academically and athletically."
Madison Huskey
Cerritos, Calif.
Catcher/Outfield
Corona Angels
Huskeyย led the California Interscholastic Federation in home runs and was named the Division II Player of the Year for her work at Gahr High School.ย Huskey was also a part of the PGF championship team in 2014 as well as the PGF Shootout championship in 2016.ย She was named All-State for California after hitting .549/.559/1.263 her junior year of high school, also earning an Underclass All-American honor for that performance.
"Madi brings to our program right-handed power and versatility in the field," said Tarr.ย "She is another in a long line of successful Corona Angels players who have thrived in our program."
Huskey on UW: "I chose UW because I wanted to compete at the highest possible level on the field and in the classroom."
Ari Quinoñes
Vista, Calif.
Utility
Athletics
Quinoñesย was named not only Mission Hills High School's Player of the Year after her junior season, but the Avocado East League MVP as well.ย She hit .632 that season, with 25 extra-base hits in 25 games.ย ย Quinoñesย also won a PGF championship in 2015.ย She was named to the All-Section Team for the San Diego area as well as a junior by both the San Diego Union Tribune and East County Sports.
"Ari has speed and can hit for power from the left side," said Tarr.ย "She has a plus arm in the middle infield.ย Her competitive experience will allow her to compete for time right away next year."
Quinoñesย on UW: "Everything about Washingtonย and the environment exceeded what I wanted in a school.ย Even though I am a few states away from where I grew up, it still feels like home."
Sami Reynolds
Snohomish, Wash.
Outfield
Washington Majestics
One of three Washingtonians joining the Huskies, Reynolds won a state championship with Snohomish High School in 2016 while hitting .462 with a .507 OBP.ย Reynolds' performance on the field earned her First Team All-Area honors in 2016 and 2017.ย In 2014, she helped lead Snohomish SWAT to the second-place finish in Washington.
Tarrย was impressed by Reynolds' ability to "hit for power and run with plus speed.ย I think she will contend for time right away in the outfield for us."
Reynolds on UW: "This is such an incredible college and I can't see myself going anywhere else.ย I'm so blessed to be given this opportunity and want to compete for a national championship!"
McKenzie Schulz
Monroe, Wash.
Pitcher
Northwest Bullets Campos
Schulz helped Monroe High School to a third place finish in the state in 2017.ย She was named one of the Seattle Times' Players to Watch before that season and shone at the PGF Surf City Camp over the winter.ย Schulz was also recognized as one of USA Today's Performers of the Week after striking out 29 over two games in March of 2015.
Tarrย was excited by Schulz's potential, saying that the "power pitcher will add depth to our staff.ย She will have an opportunity to compete for pitching time with a veteran staff next year."
Schulz on UW: "Washington has been my dream school since I was nine years old."
Francesca Torraca
Raritan, N.J.
Outfield
Beverly Bandits
A four-time All-Conference selection in high school, Torracaย is also a part of the Puerto Rican national team and competed in the 2017 World Cup of Softball.ย Torraca also earned a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup of Softball earlier in her career and reached 1000 career hits in her junior year at Immaculata High School.
"Fran can hit for both average and power," said Tarr.ย "Her experience playing softball on the best travel clubs back east, combined with her Puerto Rico experience, will allow her the confidence to come in and compete for time right away."
Torracaย on UW: "I chose UW because its the perfect place for me.ย It combines friendliness and competition."
Megan Vandegrift
Buckley, Wash.
Shortstop/Second Base
Washington Majestics
Vandegriftย found immediate success while at White River High School, taking second place in the state her freshman year.ย She was named First Team All-Area last season and was First Team All-League after her sophomore and junior seasons.ย As a sophomore in 2016, Vandegrift hit .515, scoring 30 runs in just 20 games played.
"Megan is a plus defender in the middle of the field," said Tarr.ย "She brings speed and a triple threat to our lineup."
Vandegrift on UW: "I love the family atmosphere and the beautiful campus.ย I have always wanted to win a national championship as a Husky since I saw the 2009 team win.ย Plus my favorite color is purple."
Make sure to follow Husky softball on Twitter with the username @UWSoftball and on Instagram at uwsoftball.
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