Maverick Softball Signs Five
Nov 11, 2015 | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha softball head coach Jeanne Scarpello announced five new additions to the team for the 2016-17 season on Wednesday, each recently signing a National Letter of Intent to play for the Mavericks.
The five prospective student-athletes that signed with the Mavericks during the early signing period are Sierra Athow (Ralston High School/Gretna, Neb.), Hailey Bartz (Lincoln Southwest High School/Lincoln, Neb.), Emma Dargy (Papillion La Vista High School/La Vista, Neb.), Kaitlynn Hunt (Mead High School/Ashland, Neb.), and Emily Klosterman (Millard West High School/Omaha, Neb.).
“This class comes to the University of Nebraska Omaha with a great deal of potential and athleticism,” commented head coach Jeanne Scarpello. “Their versatility will be the key to their ability to succeed. Each of them will contribute in different ways with their arm strength, speed, competitiveness, or power at the plate. We are looking forward to their arrival on campus next fall and having the opportunity to work and develop each one of them!”
Omaha has completed its four-year transition to Division I and is now fully eligible to compete in the conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament. The 2016 Omaha softball team opens its season at the Hillenbrand Invitational in Tucson, Ariz. on February 12, 2016 against UC Santa Barbara.
2016 Omaha Softball Signing Class
Sierra Athow, IF, Gretna, Neb. (Ralston HS)
Sierra Athow is one of the most decorated players to come out of Ralston High School. Athow is a four year varsity letter winner. Athow was a four-time all-conference and all-state performer for the Rams. She also was a two-time All-Nebraska honoree, including a first team choice in 2014.
During her senior season, Athow hit .453 with seven doubles, two triples, and three home runs with 37 RBIs and 34 runs scored. Last season, she had an impressive .891 slugging percentage with 18 doubles, one triple, and six home runs. Athow had 37 RBIs as a junior.
Sierra played club softball for Nebraska Gold Mizuno.
Coach Scarpello on Athow:
“Sierra will succeed because of her competitive fire. She has a strong arm and good hands on defense. Her bat could become very powerful at this level.”
Hailey Bartz, IF/OF, Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Southwest HS)
A Lincoln Southwest product, Hailey Bartz is a four-year varsity performer. This season she earned Second Team All-Class A honors and helped the Silverhawks earn a trip to the state tournament.
Bartz had a .395 average with 49 hits, including 15 doubles, five triples, and two home runs. She also drove in 35 runs, while scoring 38. This season, Bartz led her team in doubles, triples, RBIs, and runs scored.
Hailey played club softball for Nebraska Gold.
Coach Scarpello on Bartz:
“Hailey is very solid defender that can play multiple positions to help our team. She is a good middle infielder that could play an outfield spot as well! Hailey is a great teammate and is preparing herself to be successful by playing great competition during the summer.”
Emma Dargy, IF, La Vista, Neb. (Papillion La Vista HS)
Emma Dargy started all four seasons as an infielder for the Monarchs. She is a two-time All-State performer, including a First Team Class A selection as a senior. The right-hander helped lead her team to the Class A state tournament all four years including a state championship appearance in 2015. She connected on 40 hits for a .444 batting average including nine doubles and six home runs.
Emily played club softball during the summer for Nebraska Fury.
Coach Scarpello on Dargy:
“Emma has high standards for herself on the field and in the classroom. She is a solid fielder, but what impressed us was her bat in big situations.”
Kaitlynn Hunt, C/OF, Ashland, Neb. (Mead HS)
Kaitlynn Hunt was a four year starter at Mead High School. Hunt was a four-time all-conference and all-state selection. She was also a Wendy's High School Heisman State Finalist. The speedy right hander stole 20 bases while posting a .428 average on 44 hits including six doubles, eight triples and three home runs. Hunt scored 40 runs while driving in 22 during her senior campaign.
Kaitlynn plays club softball for TEAM Nebraska.
Coach Scarpello on Hunt:
“Kaitlynn will bring a very strong arm and speed to any spot on defense. She is very athletic and we love the aggressiveness she brings to each part of her game.”
Emily Klosterman, IF, Omaha, Neb. (Millard West HS)
Klosterman was a four year starter at Millard West High School and one of the most decorated players in the state. She is a three-time All-Nebraska selection and was the Omaha World Herald's Co-Player of the Year following her junior season.
This season, Klosterman had a .427 batting average and a .782 slugging percentage with 17 doubles, two triples and six home runs. She had a .620 batting average and 1.185 slugging percentage her junior year, with 14 doubles, seven triples and eight home runs. She also had a 29 game hitting streak in 2014. Her .620 batting average and 29-game hitting streak are both Nebraska Class A state records.
Emily plays club softball in the summer for Nebraska Gold.
Coach Scarpello on Klosterman:
“Emily is a very gifted athlete. She is a great middle infielder that not only can make the routine play, but the unbelievable ones as well. Emily will add a consistent bat to our line-up.”
