SAN ANTONIO - UTSA softball head coach Michelle Cheatham announced the signing of five student-athletes during early signing period on Thursday.
The signing class includes a pitcher/infielder, two outfielders and two infielders in Erika Cortez, Gabby Leggington, Ciarra Mata, Taylor Medina and Kaitlyn Morado.
Erika Cortez
Position: Pitcher/Infielder
Hometown: Edinburg, Texas
High School: Edinburg HS
Quote from coach Cheatham on Cortez: "Erika is going to add another layer to our already strong and diverse pitching staff. She brings a fierce presence on the mound and I look forward to seeing the things that she will accomplish in this program."
Bio: Erika Cortez pitcher and first baseman from Edinburg, Texas that was named EHS most valuable player, offensive player of the year, outstanding player of the year, District 31-6A MVP, all-area player of the year honor and two-time MVP in the Mission, Texas tournament. Cortez and her team were also district champions. She plans to major in psychology.
Welcome to the family, Erika Cortez! pic.twitter.com/r9Ip48fcgr
— UTSA Softball (@UTSASoftball) November 14, 2018
Gabby Leggington
Position: Outfielder
Hometown: Baytown, Texas
High School: Goose Creek Memorial HS
Quote from coach Cheatham on Leggington: "Gabby has exciting athleticism to her game that will provide speed both on offense and in the outfield. She is a competitor and I am thrilled to have her in the orange and blue."
Bio: Gabby Leggington is a center/left fielder who made the all-district team for three years at Goose Creek Memorial high school in Baytown, Texas. Leggington and her team made it to the playoffs twice. She was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and had the most stolen bases in the district as a sophomore. Leggington was also named academic all-district her junior year. She plans on majoring in kinesiology with a concentration in athletics medicine.
Please help us welcome Gabby Leggington to the family! pic.twitter.com/gyzDETqdJw
— UTSA Softball (@UTSASoftball) November 15, 2018
Ciarra Mata
Position: Outfielder
Hometown: Rosenberg, Texas
High School: Foster HS (Richmond, Texas)
Quote from coach Cheatham on Mata: "We are always searching for athletes that show passion and fire for the game and Ciarra is someone that exudes that when you watch her compete."
Bio: Ciarra Mata plays outfield and won her district two years in a row and was a state runner-up in 2018. She was named the 2018 Texan Live 5A softball postseason MVP and first team all-academic for three years. She plans to study kinesiology.
Please welcome Ciara Mata to the Roadrunner family! pic.twitter.com/cFzer9aikg
— UTSA Softball (@UTSASoftball) November 14, 2018
Taylor Medina
Position: Infielder
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
High School: Douglas MacArthur HS
Quote from coach Cheatham on Medina: "I am happy to have Taylor be a part of the Roadrunner Nation. She is a smart and athletic infielder to help solidify us up the middle."
Bio: Taylor Medina is an infielder from San Antonio. She and her team were named first team all district for three years, while Medina herself was named defensive MVP twice and offensive MVP as a sophomore. Medina held the highest number of homeruns in her district and plans to major in political science or business.
Our first signee of the day is Taylor Medina! pic.twitter.com/mfvCKZqt4i
— UTSA Softball (@UTSASoftball) November 14, 2018
Kaitlyn Morado
Position: Infielder
Hometown: Deer Park, Texas
High School: Deer Park HS
Quote from coach Cheatham on Morado: "Kaitlyn is going to not only add to the depth in our infield, but will also provide a very positive hard-working attitude to our team. She is a fantastic player and person and we look forward to watching her continue to grow as a Roadrunner."
Bio: Kaitlyn Morado plays infield and is a Deer Park native. She was named first team all-district twice and second all-district her sophomore year. Morado was also named to the all-district academic team for three years. She plans to major in business.
Our final signee joining the Roadrunner family is Kaitlyn Morado! pic.twitter.com/dt6Roqygcp
— UTSA Softball (@UTSASoftball) November 15, 2018
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