Tulsa Softball Signs Five to National Letters-of-Intent

TULSA, Okla. – The University of Tulsa softball program signed five high school seniors to National Letters-of-Intent during the November signing period, head coach John Bargfeldt announced.

Pitchers Erin Harris and Samantha Pochop, catcher Marisa Olmos, middle infielder Sarah Briers, and outfielder Jesse Smith signed on to join the Golden Hurricane for the 2017-18 academic year.

"This is an exciting class that has a lot of versatility, in terms of their positions on the field. It's also a class in which every one of them is an outstanding student-athlete," Barfgeldt said. "This class really hits a lot of needs, from the standpoint of getting pitching, catching, infield and outfield play. We expect them to make some major contributions to the program."

Briers is a native of Spring, Texas, where she is a three-year letterwinner at Klein Oak High School, with her senior season still to play. She is a two-time first-team all-district selection, and was named to the district all-academic team last year. She batted .489 with a .533 on-base percentage, 21 RBI, 34 runs and 11 stolen bases. As a sophomore, she hit .395 with 23 RBI, 37 runs and 16 steals. As a freshman, she earned first-team all-district and Newcomer of the Year honors after hitting .386 with 25 RBI, 33 runs and 18 steals.

"Sarah Briers is a middle infielder that is capable of playing second base, shortstop or third base," Bargfeldt said. "She is very athletic and possesses some excellent skills defensively, and with her speed. She is a hitter that has hit anywhere from first to third in the lineup for her club team."

Harris is a native of Tecumseh, Okla., where she was a three-year letterwinner at Tecumseh High School. She led her team to the Class 4A state title game each of the last two years, and the Class 2A state title as a freshman. She missed time this season with an injury, but returned for the playoffs, pitching in the regionals and the state semifinal. As a junior, she went 14-1 with a 0.31 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 90.2 innings, earning Little All City and all-conference honors.

"Erin Harris is a pitcher that has pitched in championship games, and could have a dual role for us, in terms of her hitting ability, as well as her pitching," said Bargfeldt. "The nice thing about Erin is that she has good movement, and especially an excellent changeup, and has been clocked as high as the mid-60s."

Olmos is a catcher and outfielder from Las Vegas, Nev. She is a three-year letterwinner at Liberty High School, with her senior season to play. She has led her team to the Class 4A state semifinals each year, and was a second-team all-state selection as a junior last season. She was also named the Nevada Player of the Year by MaxPreps as a junior, and was an All-Silver State selection as a junior. She batted .473 as a junior, .407 as a sophomore and .341 as a freshman.

"Marisa is a catcher that hits left-handed, but she also has the ability to go an play in the outfield. We're excited about her addition to the class, as she brings athleticism as well as a strong bat," Bargfeldt said. "She could come in and compete at catcher, as well as outfield."

Pochop is a pitcher from Henderson, Nev., where she is a three-year letterwinner at Rancho High School. She has compiled 52 wins, a 1.09 ERA and 770 strikeouts in 460.2 innings while also hitting .338 over her career. She was the 2016 Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year, the Las Vegas Journal Review Pitcher of the Year, a three-time Silver State Preps Pitcher of the Year, and a three-time Sunrise East first-team all-conference selection. As a junior, she posted 19 wins a 0.51 ERA and 278 strikeouts in 177.2 innings.
She also won three letters in volleyball and basketball.

"Samantha is another one of those pitchers that has competed for championships throughout her high school and club softball career. She is an exciting pitcher, with her movement, and is also a player that we intend to let her compete for the first base position as well."

Smith is a four-year letterwinner from Legend High School in Parker, Colo. She is a two-time Denver Post All-Colorado selection and a four-time Colorado Class 5A All-State and four-time All-Continental Conference selection. She has also earned three first-team all-academic honors, and won the 2016 Titan Award – a peer award for leadership on and off the field. She has compiled a career .496 batting average, .551 OBP and .898 slugging with 116 RBI, 114 runs, 20 home runs, 36 doubles and 10 triples. As a senior, she hit .507 with 20 doubles, four homers, 28 RBI and 28 runs, and hit .568 with 42 RBI, 43 runs and 21 extra base hits as a junior.

"Jesse is a dynamic outfielder. She hits from the left side, she can hit with power, and has good speed on the bases. She is another player that competed for her state championship, and we expect her to be able to come in and compete for an outfield position. She is a middle of the lineup-type hitter."

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Tulsa Softball Signs Five to National Letters-of-Intent

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