University of Connecticut Athletics
Softball Announces Class of 2022
5/24/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn softball team and head coach Jen McIntyre are proud to welcome the six incoming players that will make-up the Class of 2022 - with players coming from both the East and West coasts to join the Huskies next season.
It is the second-straight six-player class for McIntyre and her staff, as they announce the additions of Morgan Ash (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Ashley Esty (Roseville, Calif.), Kylie Gavitt (Poestenkill, N.Y.), Aziah James (Spring, Texas), Alexis Lemus (Rialto, Calif.) and Emily Piergustavo (Milford, Mass.) to the program.
The group is well-balanced in terms of position, as the newcomers consist of one pitcher, two outfielders and three infielders - adding to the depth and versatility of UConn's current roster heading into the 2018-19 academic year.
The Huskies are slated to have six freshmen and six sophomores next season - their third-straight year with a double-digit number of underclassmen, as the youth of the program continues to grow and develop.
Morgan Ash | Infielder | Arcadia High School | Scottsdale, Ariz.
Four-year softball letter winner at Arcadia High School…Two-time All-City with a career batting average of over .400…Finished in third place of the 2016 State Championship…Dobson Invitational Tournament and Apollo Invitational Tournament champion…National Honor Society member…One of 50 students nationally accepted to the FBINAA Youth Leadership program in 2015…Intended psychology major.
Coach McIntyre: "Morgan is a true utility player. She comes to us from a long line of successful camp and clinic participants. She can anchor the corner positions with solid fundamentals and will provide offensive punch to our lineup. She can play multiple positions and we are looking forward to watching her continue to develop throughout her career."
Ashley Esty | Outfielder | Woodcreek High School | Roseville, Calif.
Four-year softball player at Woodcreek High School…First Team selection and Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore…Accumulated over a .300 batting average…Second Team All-League as a freshman with a .347 batting average and 28 stolen bases…Silver Academic Merit Award for GPA…Intended biology major.
Coach McIntyre: "Ashley will continue to add speed to our outfield and our offensive lineup. She has the ability to drop bunts in front of the defense and place the ball in the gaps for extra bases. She covers an incredible amount of ground in the outfield and will compete not only on the field, but in the classroom as well."
Kylie Gavitt | Pitcher | Averill Park High School | Poestenkill, N.Y.
Pitcher at Averill Park High School…2017 Class A Section 2 Champions…Placed among top three players at prospect showcase on Long Island…Threw a perfect game at Pennsbury Tournament in 2016…2015 NYS Class A State Champions…High Honor Roll student…Three-time scholar athlete and winner of the Sandra G. Morley athletic/academic award…Intended major is health sciences.
Coach McIntyre: "Kylie is a solid regional talent that we are excited to see compete at the next level. She has great spin on her ball and can throw with power. She has the ability to create a lot of swings and misses and knows how to come in and shut down opposing offenses. I am looking forward to her adding depth to our pitching staff."
Aziah James | Outfielder | Spring High School | Spring, Texas
Four-year letter winner in softball at Spring High School…Two-time First Team All-State selection as a sophomore and junior…Selected Player of the Week by Max Preps during sophomore season…Second Team All-State as a freshman…Honor Roll student…Intended major is chemical engineering.
Coach McIntyre: "Aziah has tremendous range in the outfield and will add significant speed to our offensive lineup. She already bleeds blue and white and works hard to elevate those around her. As a Junior National team tryout invitee, her talent speaks for itself. We are anxious to see her compete in a Husky uniform and create havoc on the bases."
Alexis Lemus | Infielder | Rialto, Calif. | Grand Terrace High School
Three-year letter winner at Grand Terrace High School...First Team All-League and All-Inland Softball Honorable Mention as a junior…Second Team All-League and CIF Champions as a sophomore…Multiple-time Principal's Honor Roll student…Undeclared major.
Coach McIntyre: "Lexi comes to us from a very successful travel ball program. She is smooth on the infield and has a great arm slot throw. She has the ability to hit for power and drive the ball gap to gap. We will look to her to step in and compete right away and add RBI production to our lineup. I am anxious to see her grow into her own at the next level."
Emily Piergustavo | Infielder | Milford, Mass. | Milford High School
Three-sport athlete at Milford High School, earning letters in softball, basketball and volleyball…Hockomock League First Team All-Star for three straight seasons in softball…League MVP as a junior in 2017…Two-time Boston Herald All-Scholastic…Three-time Metrowest Daily News All-Star…Milford High School Rookie of the Year in 2015…Team captain in her senior season…2017 Massachusetts Division I State Champion…Two-time captain of the basketball team…Rookie of the Year in volleyball during 2017 season…National Honor Society member…Intended communications major.
Coach McIntyre: "We are looking to Emily to come in and add depth and strength to our infield defense. She is another one of our strong multi-sport athletes and a Massachusetts state champion. She has great range, a solid arm, and a nose for the ball. She is quick to the spot and will push each teammate around her to be better."
