University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Ink Four to Class of 2024
11/15/2019 3:05:00 PM | Softball
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn softball team and Head Coach Laura Valentino have announced the addition of four newcomers who recently signed National Letters of Intent, officially joining the UConn Athletics family and the softball program in the fall of 2020.
Payton Kinney, Lauren Benson, Madisyn Estorga, and Jana Sanden each committed to UConn during the early signing period this November, forming Coach Valentino's first recruiting class since taking over the helm.
"I'm excited to welcome this class of four to the next generation of UConn Softball," said Valentino. "This group includes one pitcher, two catchers and one position player. Payton Kinney, Lauren Benson, Madisyn Estorga, and Jana Sanden are all committed to building a championship culture at UConn and will be an integral part of our success as we move into the Big East."
Find out more about our newest Huskies below (player profiles correspond with the photo above it)
NAME: Payton Kinney
HOMETOWN: Bradenton, Fla.
HIGH SCHOOL: Lakewood Ranch
POSITION: Pitcher
HEIGHT: 5-7
High School: She was a four-year letterwinner under the coaching of TJ Goelz, serving as varsity captain and taking home Player of the Week Honors five times. After earning an honorable mention selection as a freshman, Kinney was named First Team All-State, All-Area, and the Defensive Player of the Year following a breakout 2018 season. In 2019, she carved out a spot on the All-State Second Team and earned All-Area honors for the third consecutive season. Additionally, she was featured in the Bradenton Herald in Bradenton, Fla. Academically, Payton has made the honor roll and served on the National Honor Society all four years.
Club: Five-year member of the Tampa Mustangs-TJ, who have been consistently ranked in the Top-10 over the past four seasons. Kinney assisted the Mustangs to a first place finish at Scenic City, second-place in the 2017 Colorado Sparkler, and two third-place placements in the 2014 and 2019 PGF. Additionally, from 2016-19 she helped the Mustangs become the highest finishing F1 team at PGF Nationals. Individually, Kinney was ranked 86th (2017) and 95th (2019), respectively, on the FloSoftball's Top 100 Players in the Nation list and collected 2019 PGIF All-Tournament Team honors. She was also selected for the Select 30 All-American Camp and received invites to the On Deck Colorado Jamboree and the Triple Crown Power Poll All-Star game.
Coach Valentino on Payton: "Payton is a true competitor on the mound that thrives under pressure. She knows how to win at a high level and she is driven to be the best in everything she does. I am looking forward to coaching Payton and having her bring her drive and energy to UConn Softball."
NAME: Lauren Benson
HOMETOWN: White Rock, British Columbia
HIGH SCHOOL: Elgin Park Secondary
POSITION: Catcher
HEIGHT: 5-7
High School: Member of the Yale Secondary Softball Academy from 2017-2019 under Coach Dave Paetkau. Earned a silver medal in the 2018 U19 Kent Washington Flame Invite. A multi-sport athlete, Benson was a two-year member of the Elgin Park Secondary Senior Girls Volleyball team. A three-time selection to the Elgin Park Secondary School All-Academic Honour Roll, Lauren was featured by Peace Arch News in White Rock, British Columbia.
Club: Eight-year member of the White Rock Renegades under Head Coach Ted Birdsall. In 2017 she snatched up North Delta Tournament MVP honors and was named the Canadian Championship Top Catcher. Benson assisted the Renegades to first-place finishes in the U-16 Provincial Championship and the U16 Canadian Nationals while also picking up Top Catcher recognition for the second-straight year. In 2019, she was named to the U17 Canadian World Qualifier Roster and the U19 Canadian Junior National Team, helping both teams capture bronze medals in the U17 Pan-American World Qualifier and the U19 World Championship.
Coach Valentino on Lauren: "Lauren will bring versatility to our program behind the plate and in the infield. She has also competed at a high level with the Canadian Junior National Team and takes tremendous pride in her work behind the plate. I look forward to seeing Lauren bring her work ethic and love for softball to our program."
NAME: Madisyn Estorga
HOMETOWN: Rancho Cucamonga, California
HIGH SCHOOL: Etiwanda H
POSITION: Catcher
HEIGHT: 5-9
High School: Under the coaching of David Masucci, Estorga was a four-year letterwinner. A two-time Golden Glove winner, Madisyn earned All-League First Team honors twice and has been featured in both the Press-Enterprise and The Sun.
Club: Estorga has been a member of the So Cal Athletics-Briggs since 2016. Under the tutelage of Ken Briggs, Estorga assisted the team to a Top-3 finish in the 2018 Boulder IDT and a Top-10 placement in the 2019 Premier Girls Fastpitch League.
Coach Valentino on Madisyn: "I'm excited to see Madisyn be a part of our battery behind the plate in the Big East. She is a strong athlete who will be fun to watch improve her game at the college level. Madisyn has great potential and I am looking forward to coaching her as a catcher."
NAME: Jana Sanden
HOMETOWN: Riverton, Conn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Northwest Regional
POSITION: Middle Infield
HEIGHT: 5-10
High School: Coached by Stacey Zematis, Jana has been a three-year letterwinner, a three-time All-Conference and 2019 All-State selection. She has helped Northwest Regional to three-consecutive Berkshire League Championships and recorded her 100th hit during her junior year. A multi-sport athlete, Sanden is a three-year letterwinner in basketball and soccer, serving as team captain and earning All-Conference honors for the latter. Ranked fifth in her high school graduating class, Jana has been a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and recognized as a scholar athlete each year.
Club: Played two seasons with the NJ Batbusters 18U Fry under the direction of Ken Fry, helping lead the team to Pennsbury, Nightmare Tournament and Power 12 Tournament Championships.
Coach Valentino on Jana: "Jana is an athletic infielder with great power at the plate. I'm really looking forward to having Jana bring her hard work and commitment to practice every day. I am excited to coach and teach Jana into the softball player I know she can be. I am happy to have the opportunity to keep Jana in the state of Connecticut for her collegiate softball career, where she can compete for championships in front of her family, friends, and local fans."
