Tulsa Softball Signs Four to National Letters-of-Intent
11/16/2020 11:42:00 AM | Softball
TULSA, Okla. – The University of Tulsa softball program signed four high school seniors to national letters-of-intent, it was announced today by Head Softball Coach Crissy Strimple.
Makenzie Brown from Illinois and Oklahoma natives Kailyn Bearpaw, Drew Riddle and Celeste Wood will join the Tulsa program beginning with the 2021-22 season.
"The signing period is an exciting time for our program in welcoming new members to our university and softball program. Bringing student-athletes to Tulsa who will continue to build upon the success that their predecessors achieved, both academically and athletically, is the goal, of ever recruiting class" said Strimple, "Celeste, Drew, Kailin, and Makenzie fit this mold exactly. We know that TU fans and alumni will help welcome these ladies to our university".
Brown, a 5'11" pitcher, was a two-year letterwinner at Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High Schoo. She helped lead her team to a 47-17 mark in two seasons, including a regional championship as a sophomore. Her junior and senior seasons were cut short due to Covid-19. Brown recorded 225 strikeouts as a sophomore with a 0.24 earned run average and recorded an 0.35 ERA with 156 strikeouts her freshman season.
The Lake City, Ill. native was named the Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and earned first-team all-district honors. Brown also was selected to the 2019 all-state second team. She also lettered two years in basketball, once in track and field and once in volleyball.
"Makenzie is a tall hard throwing right-handed pitcher. She has tremendous upside and a great work ethic," said Strimple, "I am excited to see her reach her potential as a pitcher and continue our pitching legacy at The University of Tulsa."
A four-year letterwinner and 5'8" third baseman and utility player, Bearpaw notched a .544 batting average and a .944 field percentage during her senior season. She also hit .448 as a junior and .398 as a sophomore.
The Sapulpa, Okla. native was a four-time all-district and all-region selection. She also earned all-conference honors three times and picked up all-state accolades last season.
The Kellyville High School utility player also lettered in basketball four years, while lettering in track one season.
"Kailyn Bearpaw is a dangerous hitter from the right side and has shown power to all fields," said Strimple, "Defensively, she has done it all, from roaming center field to playing all infield positions. We are excited to have such a versatile athlete."
Riddle, a four-year letterwinner and third baseman, pitcher and utility player at Hilldale (Okla.) High School, led her team to 44 wins on the mound during her four seasons. She totaled 147 runs batted in on 183 hits in her career, while turning in a career batting average of .499, hitting .491 in her senior season.
The 2019 Class 4A-7 district player of the year, Riddle also earned Middle East all-state infielder honors during her junior season for her work at third base.
"Drew is a jack of all trades type athlete who I think has played almost every position," Strimple said, "She pitched, caught, and played third for her high school team, while doing the same for her travel team. She is a true utility player with a ton of pop from the left side."
An infielder from Hilldale (Okla.) High School, Wood helped her Muskogee High School team post a 96-20 mark during her four seasons and three straight state semifinal appearances. During her career, the 5'7" shortstop hit .516 and had a fielding percentage of .941, putting in the best season of her career as a senior hitting .575 from the plate.
The shortstop was an all-state selection her junior season and was named Class 4A-7 offensive player of the year.
While being a four-year letterwinner in softball, Wood also lettered four years in basketball and two years in track.
"Celeste is a left-handed hitter with gap power and home run potential," said Strimple, "She is a shortstop by trade with a big-time arm. We are excited to have her athleticism competing in the middle infield."
Tulsa Softball Signees
Name Pos. Ht. Hometown / Previous School
Makenzie Brown P 5-11 Lake City, Ill. / Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond HS
Kailyn Bearpaw 3B 5-8 Sapulpa, Okla. / Kellyville HS
Drew Riddle 3B/P 5-7 Muskogee, Okla. / Hilldale HS
Celeste Wood SS 5-7 Muskogee, Okla. / Hilldale HS
-#LoyalAlwaysTrue-
Makenzie Brown from Illinois and Oklahoma natives Kailyn Bearpaw, Drew Riddle and Celeste Wood will join the Tulsa program beginning with the 2021-22 season.
"The signing period is an exciting time for our program in welcoming new members to our university and softball program. Bringing student-athletes to Tulsa who will continue to build upon the success that their predecessors achieved, both academically and athletically, is the goal, of ever recruiting class" said Strimple, "Celeste, Drew, Kailin, and Makenzie fit this mold exactly. We know that TU fans and alumni will help welcome these ladies to our university".
Brown, a 5'11" pitcher, was a two-year letterwinner at Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High Schoo. She helped lead her team to a 47-17 mark in two seasons, including a regional championship as a sophomore. Her junior and senior seasons were cut short due to Covid-19. Brown recorded 225 strikeouts as a sophomore with a 0.24 earned run average and recorded an 0.35 ERA with 156 strikeouts her freshman season.
The Lake City, Ill. native was named the Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and earned first-team all-district honors. Brown also was selected to the 2019 all-state second team. She also lettered two years in basketball, once in track and field and once in volleyball.
"Makenzie is a tall hard throwing right-handed pitcher. She has tremendous upside and a great work ethic," said Strimple, "I am excited to see her reach her potential as a pitcher and continue our pitching legacy at The University of Tulsa."
A four-year letterwinner and 5'8" third baseman and utility player, Bearpaw notched a .544 batting average and a .944 field percentage during her senior season. She also hit .448 as a junior and .398 as a sophomore.
The Sapulpa, Okla. native was a four-time all-district and all-region selection. She also earned all-conference honors three times and picked up all-state accolades last season.
The Kellyville High School utility player also lettered in basketball four years, while lettering in track one season.
"Kailyn Bearpaw is a dangerous hitter from the right side and has shown power to all fields," said Strimple, "Defensively, she has done it all, from roaming center field to playing all infield positions. We are excited to have such a versatile athlete."
Riddle, a four-year letterwinner and third baseman, pitcher and utility player at Hilldale (Okla.) High School, led her team to 44 wins on the mound during her four seasons. She totaled 147 runs batted in on 183 hits in her career, while turning in a career batting average of .499, hitting .491 in her senior season.
The 2019 Class 4A-7 district player of the year, Riddle also earned Middle East all-state infielder honors during her junior season for her work at third base.
"Drew is a jack of all trades type athlete who I think has played almost every position," Strimple said, "She pitched, caught, and played third for her high school team, while doing the same for her travel team. She is a true utility player with a ton of pop from the left side."
An infielder from Hilldale (Okla.) High School, Wood helped her Muskogee High School team post a 96-20 mark during her four seasons and three straight state semifinal appearances. During her career, the 5'7" shortstop hit .516 and had a fielding percentage of .941, putting in the best season of her career as a senior hitting .575 from the plate.
The shortstop was an all-state selection her junior season and was named Class 4A-7 offensive player of the year.
While being a four-year letterwinner in softball, Wood also lettered four years in basketball and two years in track.
"Celeste is a left-handed hitter with gap power and home run potential," said Strimple, "She is a shortstop by trade with a big-time arm. We are excited to have her athleticism competing in the middle infield."
Tulsa Softball Signees
Name Pos. Ht. Hometown / Previous School
Makenzie Brown P 5-11 Lake City, Ill. / Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond HS
Kailyn Bearpaw 3B 5-8 Sapulpa, Okla. / Kellyville HS
Drew Riddle 3B/P 5-7 Muskogee, Okla. / Hilldale HS
Celeste Wood SS 5-7 Muskogee, Okla. / Hilldale HS
-#LoyalAlwaysTrue-
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