SAN ANTONIO — The UTSA softball program and head coach Michelle Cheatham are proud to announce the addition of five future Roadrunners - Cassie Valdez, Kaitlin Lopez, Marena Estell, Kindell Brooks and Ashlyn Wade as part of the early signing period.
The Roadrunners come off a season where the program captured 21 wins including 12 victories at home.
"I think what will be evident of this group of student-athletes is their athleticism and ability to contribute in multiple ways to our lineup", Cheatham. "They are true Roadrunners and excited to represent the blue and orange!"
Below is a breakdown of the signing class.
Cassie Valdez • P/UT
Brownsville, Texas (Brownsville Veterans Memorial HS)
• Lettered in softball and volleyball
• 32-6A All District Freshman of the Year
• Brownsville Herald All-Metro Newcomer of the Year
• RGV Sports All Valley Newcomer of the Year
• A two-time 32-6A All District Offensive Player of the Year
• Brownsville Herald's All Metro MVP
• RGV Sports Nominee, Softball Player of the Year
• Guided the Guided to three UIL State Playoff appearances and two UIL Area Championships (2015, 2017).
Cheatham on Valdez …
"There are many things that Cassie can bring to the table as a player on our roster. She is a pitcher that also has the ability to play multiple positions on the infield. Her competitive nature is something that exudes from her wherever she is playing on the field and it is fun to watch."
Kaitlin Lopez • INF
San Antonio, Texas (Katy HS)
• Helped the Tigers to a 6A State Championship
• Propelled the Kathy High School softball team to the playoffs for consecutive years.
• A versatile athlete having played at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd base.
Cheatham on Lopez …
"Katlin is an exciting player. She is a smooth infielder with a cannon of an arm and the range of both a corner and a middle. She has power at the plate and will enjoy hitting at Roadrunner Field."
Marena Estell • OF
Texarkana, Texas (Hooks HS)
• Lettered in softball, volleyball and track and field at
• 2015-2016 Third Team all-state pitcher
• 2015-2016 UIL Softball All-District MVP
• 2016-2017 First Team Pitcher?
Cheatham on Estell …
"Marena is a very versatile athlete that we expect to help us on the mound as well as at the plate. She is a fantastic left handed arm that will help give balance to our pitching staff."
Kindell Brooks • C/OF
San Antonio, Texas (Douglas MacArthur HS)
• Selected as a 2016 USA Elite Top 30 All-American
• A three-time all academic player
• Named the Brahmas' offensive Player of the Year as a freshmen, Defensive Player of the
Year as a sophomore and the Player of Year as a junior.
• As a junior she held a .532 batting average, .575 on base percentage, .893 slugging
percentage while tallying eight stolen bases, 18 doubles, two triples, four homeruns
and 26 RBI.
Cheatham on Brooks …
"Kindell is a strong athlete who has been a mainstay behind the plate and also has the athleticism to play other positions. Her ability to work gap to gap with pop at the plate gives her the opportunity to come in right away and be an influential part of our offense."
Ashlyn Wade • UTL
Pasadena, Texas (Deer Park HS)
• A four-year varsity softball member
• Selected as 2016 First-Team All District 21-6A
• Academic First Team (2016)
• Honorable Mention Catcher TSWA All State 6A (2017)
• First-Team All District Catcher (2017)
• First-Team All State TGCA 6A (2017)
• Honorable Mention Catcher TSWA All State 6A (2017)
• Defensive MVP of the Year for Deer Park High School Softball (2017)
• Helped the Deers to three District Championships including a regional championship title in 2017.
Cheatham on Wade …
"Another multi-faceted player to look out for is Ashlyn Wade. With tremendous arm strength this has benefitted her behind the plate as well as in the outfield. She is a great person and player that I am excited to get the opportunity to coach."
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