Softball Inks Large Incoming Class Of Eight Players For 2025
11/13/2023 4:40:00 PM | Softball
The class of eight high school players brings balance and depth to the team.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Kim Sowder and the Long Beach State softball coaching staff have announced the commitment of eight incoming freshman who will join the team during the 2025 season.
"I'm grateful and excited for this 2024 Class," said head coach Kim Sowder. "We are getting better in all areas, both offensively and defensively. This class brings talent, passion and high character people to our program. They want to do special things here at Long Beach State and we are looking forward to their arrival next year.
Alyssa Aguilar is a 5-10 catcher and infielder from Whittier, Calif. who attended Gahr High School, helping lead the Gladiators to the San Gabriel Valley league championship as a sophomore. Last season, she hit .348 with five doubles and a pair of home runs.
"Defensively behind the dish, Alyssa has a commanding presence, does a great job receiving, moves really well and has a strong arm," noted Sowder. "She also has the versatility to play first base and has a compact swing from the left side to hit for high average and power."
Angelina Apodaca is a utility player from Camarillo, Calif., who is capable of playing multiple positions around the field. A three-time all-league selection at Camarillo HS, Apodaca hit .390 as a sophomore and improved as a junior to hitting .506 while showing off extra power with six home runs.
"Angelina is very talented both behind the dish and at the plate," said Sowder. "Offensively, she has tough at-bats every time she is up and is a catalyst in the leadoff spot for her team. We see her doing a lot of the same here."
Callie Fitzpatrick is a local product from Los Alamitos High School who will join a number of former Griffins with the program. An outfielder, Fitzpatrick was a CIF finalist with Los Alamitos in 2022 and has helped the team stay nationally ranked in the Top 10 for multiple seasons.
"Callie is another hometown talent that we are grateful to have kept here in Long Beach," said Sowder. "She is known for her clutch hitting and making clutch catches in the outfield. She thrives in the big moments and has a great mind for the game along with great poise and strong leadership qualities."
Miranda Gonzalez is a middle infielder from Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Competing with Santa Fe High School, Gonzalez has earned three First Team All-Del Rio league selections as well as being named First Team All-CIF after hitting .462 with 25 RBI and 17 doubles as a junior.
"Miranda possesses all the characteristics we like in our middle infielders with great hands, a strong arm, great reads and consistency," said the former All-American shortstop, Sowder. "She also hits for high average and has a high softball IQ."
A corner infielder with the ability to catch, Priscilla Iniguez comes to the Beach out of Lawndale. Last season with North Torrance High School, Iniguez was a first-team all-league selection after hitting .550 with 10 home runs.
"Priscilla has tremendous pop in her bat, plays the corners with absolute toughness, and is a very determined athlete," noted Sowder. "Her attitude and passion for the game are off the charts and are contagious in the best possible way."
Another infielder will join the program in Macie Lawrence. Coming to the Beach from Temescal Canyon High School, Lawrence helped the Titans reach the CIF Division 3 semifinals while winning back-to-back league championships.
"Macie is a versatile infielder that can play any position on the infield and has a cannon for an arm," noted Sowder. "She is a strong athlete that will give us great depth on defense."
Madayln Martin is a two-way player and former teammate of reigning Big West Freshman of the Year Makayla Medellin from Yorba Linda High School. A Top 100 rated recruit as a club player, as a sophomore she was the league Pitcher of the Year and is a three-time all-league selection at Yorba Linda HS.
"Madalyn is a true two-way player," said Sowder. "She Is a pure hitter with big pop in her bat and plays a solid first base. In the circle she continues to excite us every time we watch her pitch. Her growth over that last year has been great to see."
Brynne Nally is a pitcher from Garden Grove, who found high school success both as a pitcher and a hitter and was highly recruited nationally to round out the class. Nally helped lead Pacifica High School to the 2023 CIF-SS Division 1 championship, earning Player of the Year honors for her efforts after going 15-7 with a 1.87 ERA while striking out 172 batters in 142 innings. A three-time All-CIF selection and Empire League All-First team pick, Nally has twice been named the Empire League Pitcher of the Year and was a first-team High School All-American as both a sophomore and a junior while bringing a strong offensive presence as well.
"Brynne is a huge local talent that we are thrilled to keep close to home," said Sowder. "She is a determined competitor in the circle. She competes every pitch and leads every team she is on with her passion and drive. Her talent along with her competitive fire is exactly what we want leading us in the circle."
Long Beach State opens up the 2024 season this February, once again taking part in the Puerto Vallarta Collegiate Challenge in Mexico.
"I'm grateful and excited for this 2024 Class," said head coach Kim Sowder. "We are getting better in all areas, both offensively and defensively. This class brings talent, passion and high character people to our program. They want to do special things here at Long Beach State and we are looking forward to their arrival next year.
Alyssa Aguilar is a 5-10 catcher and infielder from Whittier, Calif. who attended Gahr High School, helping lead the Gladiators to the San Gabriel Valley league championship as a sophomore. Last season, she hit .348 with five doubles and a pair of home runs.
"Defensively behind the dish, Alyssa has a commanding presence, does a great job receiving, moves really well and has a strong arm," noted Sowder. "She also has the versatility to play first base and has a compact swing from the left side to hit for high average and power."
Angelina Apodaca is a utility player from Camarillo, Calif., who is capable of playing multiple positions around the field. A three-time all-league selection at Camarillo HS, Apodaca hit .390 as a sophomore and improved as a junior to hitting .506 while showing off extra power with six home runs.
"Angelina is very talented both behind the dish and at the plate," said Sowder. "Offensively, she has tough at-bats every time she is up and is a catalyst in the leadoff spot for her team. We see her doing a lot of the same here."
Callie Fitzpatrick is a local product from Los Alamitos High School who will join a number of former Griffins with the program. An outfielder, Fitzpatrick was a CIF finalist with Los Alamitos in 2022 and has helped the team stay nationally ranked in the Top 10 for multiple seasons.
"Callie is another hometown talent that we are grateful to have kept here in Long Beach," said Sowder. "She is known for her clutch hitting and making clutch catches in the outfield. She thrives in the big moments and has a great mind for the game along with great poise and strong leadership qualities."
Miranda Gonzalez is a middle infielder from Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Competing with Santa Fe High School, Gonzalez has earned three First Team All-Del Rio league selections as well as being named First Team All-CIF after hitting .462 with 25 RBI and 17 doubles as a junior.
"Miranda possesses all the characteristics we like in our middle infielders with great hands, a strong arm, great reads and consistency," said the former All-American shortstop, Sowder. "She also hits for high average and has a high softball IQ."
A corner infielder with the ability to catch, Priscilla Iniguez comes to the Beach out of Lawndale. Last season with North Torrance High School, Iniguez was a first-team all-league selection after hitting .550 with 10 home runs.
"Priscilla has tremendous pop in her bat, plays the corners with absolute toughness, and is a very determined athlete," noted Sowder. "Her attitude and passion for the game are off the charts and are contagious in the best possible way."
Another infielder will join the program in Macie Lawrence. Coming to the Beach from Temescal Canyon High School, Lawrence helped the Titans reach the CIF Division 3 semifinals while winning back-to-back league championships.
"Macie is a versatile infielder that can play any position on the infield and has a cannon for an arm," noted Sowder. "She is a strong athlete that will give us great depth on defense."
Madayln Martin is a two-way player and former teammate of reigning Big West Freshman of the Year Makayla Medellin from Yorba Linda High School. A Top 100 rated recruit as a club player, as a sophomore she was the league Pitcher of the Year and is a three-time all-league selection at Yorba Linda HS.
"Madalyn is a true two-way player," said Sowder. "She Is a pure hitter with big pop in her bat and plays a solid first base. In the circle she continues to excite us every time we watch her pitch. Her growth over that last year has been great to see."
Brynne Nally is a pitcher from Garden Grove, who found high school success both as a pitcher and a hitter and was highly recruited nationally to round out the class. Nally helped lead Pacifica High School to the 2023 CIF-SS Division 1 championship, earning Player of the Year honors for her efforts after going 15-7 with a 1.87 ERA while striking out 172 batters in 142 innings. A three-time All-CIF selection and Empire League All-First team pick, Nally has twice been named the Empire League Pitcher of the Year and was a first-team High School All-American as both a sophomore and a junior while bringing a strong offensive presence as well.
"Brynne is a huge local talent that we are thrilled to keep close to home," said Sowder. "She is a determined competitor in the circle. She competes every pitch and leads every team she is on with her passion and drive. Her talent along with her competitive fire is exactly what we want leading us in the circle."
Long Beach State opens up the 2024 season this February, once again taking part in the Puerto Vallarta Collegiate Challenge in Mexico.
Players Mentioned
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