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Photo by: Erik Williams
Vesely Signs Six Student-Athletes to NLIs
11/14/2019 3:10:00 PM | Softball
2020 class features well-rounded talent
HOUSTON – With the departure of a strong senior class this upcoming season, University of Houston Softball head coach Kristin Vesely has signed six National Letters of Intent for the 2020 class.
"We are really excited about the 2020 class to help continue moving our program forward," Vesely said. "The signees represent the competitive nature and athleticism we have had success with and are working diligently to continue to recruit. This class possesses speed, power and a motivational drive to want to win championships."
One of the fourth-year head coach's goals with this class was to remain focused on continuing to build the program's culture, increase the team's athleticism and find key skilled players. This class features a pair of pitchers that can consume a significant amount of innings and potentially make appearances in the lineup, along with skilled players who are capable of playing multiple positions, allowing Houston to put the best nine players on the field on any given day.
Below is a breakdown of each player that was signed, as well as an in-depth look at what Vesely believes each one brings to the table.
Paige Lott
Catcher/Outfield
Dayton, Texas
Dayton HS
Vesely on Lott: "Paige is a great addition to the program. She is an extremely hard worker who is versatile and has the ability to play most positions on the field. She is a great teammate, embraces the Houston Softball culture and we are excited to have her part of the program."
A three-time varsity letterman who became a First Team All-District player in 2019 … Landed a spot on the Academic All-District squad all three years of high school … Led Dayton HS to back-to-back bi-district and area championships from 2017-18 … Posted a 33-win season in 2018 which included a berth in the regional semifinal … Increased her batting average by at least 10 points in each of her first three years at Dayton HS … Daughter of Gary and Stacie Lott … Plans on majoring in nursing, with aspirations to become an emergency room nurse or surgeon … Volunteers at trash pick-ups around her community and at nursing homes.
Hailey Hudson
Pitcher
College Station, Texas
College Station HS
Vesely on Hudson: "Hailey was a late addition to the class and a much-needed piece to the puzzle. She is more of a traditional power pitcher and has the ability to be dominant in the circle. She has competed at the highest levels and been successful with the help of her confident demeanor. We expect Hailey to be able to hit for herself and possibly be an everyday starter, offensively."
Led College Station HS to back-to-back Region III semifinal appearances from 2018-19, having posted two 30-win seasons during that stretch … Awarded District MVP in back-to-back years from 2017-18 … Named to the 2019 TGCA All-State team … Earned a spot on the TSWA All-State team in 2018 and 2019 … Finished her freshman campaign with a 20-3 record with a 1.27 ERA and 200 strikeouts, having posted a .416 batting average in the process … Ended her 2018 season with a record of 26-4 and striking out 241 batters to match a 1.11 ERA … Recorded a .480 batting average to go along with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs in that same 2018 season … Capped off her 2019 season one win shy of the 30-win mark with her 29-5 record, where she posted a miniscule ERA of 1.02 … Daughter of Shane and Karen Hudson … Her dad, Shane, played football at Oklahoma State … Intends to major in health … Has been an Elder Aid volunteer for five years and has also helped out with the Special Olympics.
Jordan McClain
Infield/Outfield
Longview, Texas
Longview HS
Vesely on McClain: "Jordan is the complete athlete. She has the ability to hit the ball out of the park and the ability to steal 15-20 bases a season. Her athleticism and versatility give us the opportunity to play her in the infield or possibly play in the outfield. Jordan is a player that who has a high ceiling and we are excited to see how she develops."
A three-year letterwinner at shortshop … Named the Offensive MVP, First Team All-ETX and to the Academic All-District … Also competed on her high school's basketball and track teams … Daughter of Jawaun McClain and Shalda Washington … Has one brother, Jayden … Plans on majoring in physical therapy … Enjoys drawing in her free time.
Crystal Davila
Infield
Corpus Christi, Texas
Richard King HS
Vesely on Davila: "Crystal is a well-balanced athlete. She has power at the plate, a good glove, a really strong arm and can run the bases well. The best attribute she possesses is her awareness to make quick, in-game adjustments. We expect her to come in and immediately compete for a starting position in the infield."
A member of the Academic All-District team … Named the Defensive Player of the Year of her district … Earned three letters at third base … Led her team in RBIs in the 2019 campaign … Daughter of John and Mary Davila … Has one sister, Melissa, and one brother, John … Plans to major in kinesiology with career aspirations to work in the kinesiology field … Also competed for her school's volleyball team … Volunteers to feed the homeless … Enjoys playing volleyball and drawing in her free time.
Angel Morales
Infield
Houston, Texas
MacArthur HS
Vesely on Morales: "Angel's bat is going to contribute to the offense with the amount of power she provides. She has the ability to be a gap-to-gap hitter and to hit homeruns. We are excited to see how much stronger of a hitter she becomes, as we get to work with daily and continue mastering her craft.
A three-time letter winner, who led her squad to a pair of 25-win seasons from 2017-18 … Named the Newcomer of the Year for the Houston area … Earned a spot on the All-District First-Team … Awarded MVP of her district … Received an All-State honor … Caped off the 2019 campaign with a career-high batting average of .628 … A member of the National Honor Society … Daughter of Jose Morales and Marcela Rivera … Aspires to become an athletic trainer or physical therapist … Volunteers at the Houston Food Bank … Enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Megan Lee
Pitcher/Outfield
League City, Texas
Clear Creek HS
Vesely on Lee: "Megan was the first commitment of the class and is what we built the 2020 class around. She is a fierce competitor and hates to lose more than she loves to win. She is a pitcher that defenses love to play behind with how aggressive she is and how she does not back down."
A three-year letterwinner for Clear Creek HS, where she was named Newcomer of the Year in 2017 to go along with three MVP honors from 2017-19 … Guided her travel ball team to a seventh-place finish at the PGF 18U Premier Nationals … Finished the 2019 season with 245 strikeouts, a mark that ranked 13th in Texas … Daughter of Dana and Jackie Lee … Has one brother, Chase … Intends to major in nursing with aspirations to become a labor and delivery nurse … Volunteers with Christmas for the Troops … Enjoys surfing.
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"We are really excited about the 2020 class to help continue moving our program forward," Vesely said. "The signees represent the competitive nature and athleticism we have had success with and are working diligently to continue to recruit. This class possesses speed, power and a motivational drive to want to win championships."
One of the fourth-year head coach's goals with this class was to remain focused on continuing to build the program's culture, increase the team's athleticism and find key skilled players. This class features a pair of pitchers that can consume a significant amount of innings and potentially make appearances in the lineup, along with skilled players who are capable of playing multiple positions, allowing Houston to put the best nine players on the field on any given day.
Below is a breakdown of each player that was signed, as well as an in-depth look at what Vesely believes each one brings to the table.
Catcher/Outfield
Dayton, Texas
Dayton HS
Vesely on Lott: "Paige is a great addition to the program. She is an extremely hard worker who is versatile and has the ability to play most positions on the field. She is a great teammate, embraces the Houston Softball culture and we are excited to have her part of the program."
A three-time varsity letterman who became a First Team All-District player in 2019 … Landed a spot on the Academic All-District squad all three years of high school … Led Dayton HS to back-to-back bi-district and area championships from 2017-18 … Posted a 33-win season in 2018 which included a berth in the regional semifinal … Increased her batting average by at least 10 points in each of her first three years at Dayton HS … Daughter of Gary and Stacie Lott … Plans on majoring in nursing, with aspirations to become an emergency room nurse or surgeon … Volunteers at trash pick-ups around her community and at nursing homes.
Hailey Hudson
Pitcher
College Station, Texas
College Station HS
Vesely on Hudson: "Hailey was a late addition to the class and a much-needed piece to the puzzle. She is more of a traditional power pitcher and has the ability to be dominant in the circle. She has competed at the highest levels and been successful with the help of her confident demeanor. We expect Hailey to be able to hit for herself and possibly be an everyday starter, offensively."
Led College Station HS to back-to-back Region III semifinal appearances from 2018-19, having posted two 30-win seasons during that stretch … Awarded District MVP in back-to-back years from 2017-18 … Named to the 2019 TGCA All-State team … Earned a spot on the TSWA All-State team in 2018 and 2019 … Finished her freshman campaign with a 20-3 record with a 1.27 ERA and 200 strikeouts, having posted a .416 batting average in the process … Ended her 2018 season with a record of 26-4 and striking out 241 batters to match a 1.11 ERA … Recorded a .480 batting average to go along with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs in that same 2018 season … Capped off her 2019 season one win shy of the 30-win mark with her 29-5 record, where she posted a miniscule ERA of 1.02 … Daughter of Shane and Karen Hudson … Her dad, Shane, played football at Oklahoma State … Intends to major in health … Has been an Elder Aid volunteer for five years and has also helped out with the Special Olympics.
Jordan McClain
Infield/Outfield
Longview, Texas
Longview HS
Vesely on McClain: "Jordan is the complete athlete. She has the ability to hit the ball out of the park and the ability to steal 15-20 bases a season. Her athleticism and versatility give us the opportunity to play her in the infield or possibly play in the outfield. Jordan is a player that who has a high ceiling and we are excited to see how she develops."
A three-year letterwinner at shortshop … Named the Offensive MVP, First Team All-ETX and to the Academic All-District … Also competed on her high school's basketball and track teams … Daughter of Jawaun McClain and Shalda Washington … Has one brother, Jayden … Plans on majoring in physical therapy … Enjoys drawing in her free time.
Crystal Davila
Infield
Corpus Christi, Texas
Richard King HS
Vesely on Davila: "Crystal is a well-balanced athlete. She has power at the plate, a good glove, a really strong arm and can run the bases well. The best attribute she possesses is her awareness to make quick, in-game adjustments. We expect her to come in and immediately compete for a starting position in the infield."
A member of the Academic All-District team … Named the Defensive Player of the Year of her district … Earned three letters at third base … Led her team in RBIs in the 2019 campaign … Daughter of John and Mary Davila … Has one sister, Melissa, and one brother, John … Plans to major in kinesiology with career aspirations to work in the kinesiology field … Also competed for her school's volleyball team … Volunteers to feed the homeless … Enjoys playing volleyball and drawing in her free time.
Angel Morales
Infield
Houston, Texas
MacArthur HS
Vesely on Morales: "Angel's bat is going to contribute to the offense with the amount of power she provides. She has the ability to be a gap-to-gap hitter and to hit homeruns. We are excited to see how much stronger of a hitter she becomes, as we get to work with daily and continue mastering her craft.
A three-time letter winner, who led her squad to a pair of 25-win seasons from 2017-18 … Named the Newcomer of the Year for the Houston area … Earned a spot on the All-District First-Team … Awarded MVP of her district … Received an All-State honor … Caped off the 2019 campaign with a career-high batting average of .628 … A member of the National Honor Society … Daughter of Jose Morales and Marcela Rivera … Aspires to become an athletic trainer or physical therapist … Volunteers at the Houston Food Bank … Enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Megan Lee
Pitcher/Outfield
League City, Texas
Clear Creek HS
Vesely on Lee: "Megan was the first commitment of the class and is what we built the 2020 class around. She is a fierce competitor and hates to lose more than she loves to win. She is a pitcher that defenses love to play behind with how aggressive she is and how she does not back down."
A three-year letterwinner for Clear Creek HS, where she was named Newcomer of the Year in 2017 to go along with three MVP honors from 2017-19 … Guided her travel ball team to a seventh-place finish at the PGF 18U Premier Nationals … Finished the 2019 season with 245 strikeouts, a mark that ranked 13th in Texas … Daughter of Dana and Jackie Lee … Has one brother, Chase … Intends to major in nursing with aspirations to become a labor and delivery nurse … Volunteers with Christmas for the Troops … Enjoys surfing.
Follow Houston Softball on Twitter and Instagram at UHCougarSB, and "Like" UHCougarSB on Facebook.
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, visit UHCougars.com or call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-GoUH. For more information, Click Here.
– UHCougars.com –
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