Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU softball team announced its 2021 recruiting class Tuesday, which includes five student-athletes that signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) and one who agreed to a scholarship agreement.
"Our primary goal with the 2021 class was to identify some of the best talent in Western Pennsylvania and keep them home," RMU head coach
Jexx Varner said. "I believe we accomplished that, as the region has a lot of talented softball players. RMU has built a championship legacy with local student-athletes, and this class will go a long way in bringing that back. In addition, this class continues to help us establish our work ethic and leadership."
Included among the latest recruiting class for the Colonials includes a catcher, two that can play the infield, two outfielders and a utility. A closer look at each of the new members of the RMU softball program …
Bailee Bertani
Catcher
North Huntingdon, Pa. / Norwin
Notes: Member of both Team Pennsylvania and the Ohio Outlaws for travel ball … Helped Norwin post a record of 13-8 (.619) in 2019 and advance to the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals … Also played outfield for Norwin … In 2019 hit .408 and led the Knights with 28 RBI … Scored 22 runs in 2019 for Norwin and accumulatied five doubles, a pair of triples and four home runs … Named a 2019 Westmoreland Softball Second Team All Star according to the
Tribune-Review.
Quotable: "Bailee is a defensive stud and a leader behind the plate," Varner said. "She possesses a strong arm, and her offensive game continues to grow. We believe she'll be able to make an impact right away.
Logan Black
Utility
Gilbertsville, Pa. / Boyertown Area
Notes: Member of Newton Rock-Hutchins travel team … Helped the Rock post a record of 23-8-2 (.727) in the summer of 2020 … In the fall of 2020 recorded a batting average of .355 to go along with a .460 on-base percentage for the Rock … Earned All-PAC-10 Team honors as a freshman at utility and as a sophomore in the outfield for Boyertown … Plans to major in marketing and management.
Quotable: "Logan is a tenacious athlete who is willing to play and do whatever she can to help the team," Varner said. "Her hard work and determination will be a great asset to the program, both on and off the field."
Madison DeVault
Pitcher
Dover, Ohio / Dover
Notes: Member of USA Elite 2 travel squad … In addition to pitching has logged time in the outfield in both left and right … Two-year letterwinner at Dover, earning All-Eastern District Second Team honors as a sophomore … Plans to major in biology.
Quotable: "Madison is a raw and extremely gifted pitcher who will bring some extra heat to the pitching staff right away," Varner said. "She knows what hard work looks like and has the tools to make an impact at the plate, as well."
Alaina Koutsogiani
Infield / Outfield
Peters Township, Pa. / Peters Township
Notes: Member of Team Pennsylvania travel ball organization … Four year-starter on the 18U showcase team for Team Pennsylvania, owning the organization single-season (88) and career (172) records for stolen bases … Selected to travel to Chicago, Ill., and participate in the On Deck Softball Jamboree … Also a member of the track & field team at Peters Township, competing in the WPIAL championships twice in both the 200-meter dash and the 4x100-meter relay ... Plans to major in biology.
Quotable: "Alaina is an explosive and dynamic player, and her speed will be a difference maker both offensively and defensively," Varner said. "Her glove and quickness will make her a very versatile piece on our roster."
Jess Matheny
Outfield
Connellsville, Pa. / Southmoreland
Notes: Member of the Ohio Outlaws travel team … Hit .336 for the Outlaws in the summer of 2020 with eight doubles, three home runs and 25 RBI … Earned first team all-section honors as both a freshman and sophomore at Southmoreland … Owns the most victories for a starting pitcher in playoff history at Southmoreland, helping lead the Scotties to the 2018 WPIAL championship ... Plans to major in criminal justice.
Quotable: "Jess is a great outfielder who has the aggressiveness and heart to make things happen on both offense and defense," Varner said. "She has a versatile offensive game that will help her find a way to get on base and create havoc with her base running."
Anna Resnik
Infield
Elizabeth, Pa. / Elizabeth Forward
Notes: Member of both Team Pennsylvania and Ohio Outlaws travel ball organizations … Named to the
Mon Valley Independent Dirty Dozen Softball Team for Elizabeth Forward in both 2018 and 2019 … Helped Elizabeth Forward qualify for the WPIAL Class 4A championship as a freshman and win it in 2019 as a sophomore … Elizabeth Forward also advanced to the PIAA state finals in 2019 … Lettered each year at Elizabeth Forward in soccer, basketball and softball ... Plans to major in engineering.
Quotable: "Anna is a smooth, quick and athletic player who will provide a lot or range with her glove," Varner said. "She's going to be a good on-base hitter that will add speed to our lineup, as well."
RMU officially joined the Horizon League July 1, 2020, in 10 of its varsity sports. The Horizon League features 12 members, 11 of which sponsor softball. Led by Varner, who enters his third season at the helm in 2010, the Colonials welcome back a pair of seniors from 2020 in
Natalie Higgins and
Madison Riggle.
Both Higgins and Riggle started each of RMU's 19 games in 2020 before the season was canceled, with Higgins leading the Colonials in batting average (.349), hits (22), doubles (6), home runs (3) and RBI (12). Riggle was tied with Higgins for the team lead in home runs and RBI and hit .308 (16-for-52) on the year.
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