Softball Announces Early Signing Class
12/10/2018 9:53:00 AM | Softball
KENT, Ohio - Head coach Eric Oakley announced the Kent State softball program signed six student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent during the 2018 early signing period
Autumn Acord (La Grange, Ohio), Morgan Bowers (Whitehouse, Ohio), Julia Mazanec (Aurora, Ohio), Laiken Rice (Lucasville, Ohio), Gabbie Sherman (Millington, Michigan), and Makayla Thompson (Muskegon, Michigan).
Accord comes to Kent State from Keystone High School where she hit .687 with 20 doubles and seven home runs and was named first team all-state. She was part of a team that captured an OHSAA Division II state championship last season and ran the table with a perfect 34-0 record. As a junior, she was also named first team all-county and all-region and was named a Maxpreps All-American.
"Autumn is a talented athlete with championship experience," said Oakley. She is high-energy, vocal, has the ability to play multiple positions and brings excellent game knowledge with her to Kent."
Bowers is a three-time all-conference selection and was named First-Team All-Conference in her junior year at St. Ursula Academy. She recorded 173 strikeouts, and posted a 1.50 ERA, at the plate she batted .575 and slugged 12 homeruns.
"Morgan is a pitcher/utility with power both in the circle and at the plate. She has been coming to Kent State camps for years and we are excited as she finally gets to make the jump to college."
Mazanec is a local product out of nearby Aurora High School where she holds a .488 batting average throughout her career. Last season, she led the Greenmen to a Suburban League title with a .463 batting average with 25 RBIs and 32 runs scored. She has been named First Team All-Suburban League for three consecutive seasons and is a two-time Suburban League Scholar Athlete honoree.
"Julia is a versatile athlete with big play-making ability. We anticipate her adding to our middle-infield depth and providing a spark to our club."
Rice is a catcher who hails from Northwest High School and is from Lucasville, Ohio. She is a two-time first team all-district selection and a second team and first team all-conference selection during her career.
"Laiken has an impressive physical presence behind the plate as well as the ability to be a confident game manager. Her athleticism will allow her to contribute in multiple facets of the game."
Sherman is a pitcher from Millington High School that was selected to first team all-conference, district, region, and state during her junior season and was part of a conference championship, district championship and regional championship. Sherman holds multiple school records, including career wins and single-season strikeouts.
"Gabbie is an extremely well-rounded pitcher with excellent control and a good mix of pitches. She has been big-game tested as is incredibly strong both mentally and physically. She also brings a powerful bat to our lineup.
Thompson brings both a power arm and bat to the Golden Flashes. During her career, she is a .442 hitter with 12 doubles and four home runs at Reeths Puffer High School in Michigan. Inside the circle she has compiled a 59-10 record with 875 strikeouts and a 0.85 ERA. In her junior season, Thompson was named first team all-conference and all-district.
"Our pitching staff gets stronger and more diverse with Makayla's arrival. She brings us a left-handed pitcher option that we have not had in many years. She also swings a big bat from the left side of the plate and has the potential to make an immediate impact."
