Tulsa Softball Signs Five to 2022-23 Recruiting Class

TULSA, Okla. –– The University of Tulsa softball team signed four Oklahoma natives and a shortstop from Florida to national letters-of-intent, head coach Crissy Strimple announced.

Teammates Emma Vickrey and Faith Russell, alongside Gabrielle Higbee and Riley Grant will stay in their home state to join the Tulsa program for the 2022-23 season. Deana Cunningham will make the 1,192-mile journey from Pierson, Fla. to Tulsa.

"Welcoming new teammates and family to our program is always exciting," Strimple said. "Our goal is to recruit high character, passionate athletes' who work hard both in the classroom and on the field.

"These five ladies fit our needs on the mound, behind the plate, and provide both left- and right-handed sticks to keep us balanced. I can't wait to add these girls to our roster and continue TU's rich tradition in softball."

Vickrey, a 5-7 catcher from Jenks, Okla., is a four-year letterwinner at Jenks High School. She helped the Trojans to 56 wins her past two years and a regional championship in 2020. She batted .344 over her career, including .412 her senior season, with a .568 career slugging percentage, 19 homeruns and 125 RBIs.

Vickrey is a four-time all-academic conference member, a two-time all-district catcher and the 2021 All-District Player of the Year. She was also selected to the 2021 all-region large east region 12, and a 2021 large east all-state catcher honoree.

"Emma is TU through and through and wearing the blue and gold has always been her dream," Strimple said. "She has come to so many camps and games as a young player, and has developed into a solid catcher, who shuts down the run game."

Russell brings some flexibility to the Hurricane defense, as she can play middle infield or in the outfield. She is a four-year letterwinner at Jenks High School alongside Vickrey. She hit above .300 in every season of her high school career, including a career-high mark of .570 her sophomore season.

Russell was an all-state selection her senior season. She was also an all-district second baseman her sophomore through senior seasons, an all-region selection her senior season and a four-year academic all-conference honoree.

"Faith is a player I have watched play a ton of ball, and she consistently has great at bats," Strimple said. "She is a lefty hitter who doesn't go down easily, work counts and can drive the ball in the gaps."

A 5-7 outfielder from Dewey, Okla., Higbee is a four-year letterwinner at Dewey High School. As a senior, she helped her team to a state semi-final appearance while batting .560 with an on-base percentage of .611 and 29 RBIs. Defensively, she had a .973 fielding percentage her senior season. She is a four-year all-conference selection, all-district outfielder and District Defensive Player of the Year. Higbee's senior campaign earned her first team all-region and All-District Most Valuable Player honors.

"Gabby is an athletic true lefty outfielder with a big-time arm," Strimple said. "She plays with so much passion, and I have always enjoyed her competitiveness. TU fans will enjoy watching her cover ground in the outfield."

Grant will add another strong presence to the circle for the Hurricane. The 6'0" pitcher was a four-year letterman at Plainview High School in Ardmore, Okla., helping her team to regionals all four years, and one appearance at state. She is two-time 4A Pitcher of the Year and has been selected to all-state, all-region and all-conference teams for her pitching, as well as selected as District Pitcher of the Year.

"We knew we needed to add a pitcher with a high ceiling, and that is Riley Grant," Strimple said. "Riley is a tall, long armed pitcher who will continue to get stronger. She really had a tremendous senior campaign for her HS team, and excited to see her continue to develop her game over the next year."

Cunningham, the incoming 5'3" Floridian, is a four-year letterwinner at T. Dewitt Taylor Middle-High School. She helped lead her team to a district title in each of her four seasons, hitting above .300 in all four years. The young shortstop had a breakout sophomore season that included career highs in batting average (.493) and RBI (27), and her second-most homeruns (4).

She was named the Rookie of the Year in 2018 and earned Offensive MVP a season later. Cunninham was named to the 2020 and 2021 Volusia-Flagler County All Area Softball Team top 20 teams. She also earned a softball scholar award in 2021 for her hard work.

"Deana is a player who is a 'sandlot' type of kid.," Strimple said. "Her jersey always has dirt on it from diving, sliding, making plays; just plays the game hard. She is a really talented middle infielder and handles herself well at the plate."

2022 Tulsa Softball Signees
Name                          Pos.     Ht. Hometown / Previous School
Deana Cunningham    IF 5-3       Daytona Beach, Fla. / T. Dewitt Taylor Middle-HS
Riley Grant                   P       6-0 Ardmore, Okla. / Plainview High School
Gabrielle Higbee         OF 5-8       Dewey, Okla. / Dewey High School
Faith Russell             IF/OF 5-7       Jenks, Okla. / Jenks High School
Emmma Vickrey        C 5-7       Jenks, Okla. / Jenks High School

Tulsa Softball Signs Five to 2022-23 Recruiting Class

Related Videos