Vesely Signs 6 in Class of 2022
11/30/2021 12:00:00 PM | Softball
HOUSTON − The Houston softball family got a little bit bigger during the early signing period with the signing of six softball prospects. Head coach Kristin Vesely has added six freshmen on during the early period for the second-consecutive season.
The six recruits hail from three different states including Texas (4), New York and Louisiana. All six signees are position players, including four infielders. From the state of Texas, Ayden Allen, Chloe Foster, Trinity Loukanis and Kayla Zaid are joined by New Yorker, Bella Farina and Louisiana-native Corine Poncho.
The six future Cougars will each complete their senior seasons at their respective high schools in the spring of 2022 and then join the Houston team in the fall of 2022.
THE PLAYER: Helped Prosper HS win 50 games in the 2019 and 2021 seasons winning a district title with Prosper in 2019 and making a Regional Final in 2021. The three-time all-district first time selection was a 2021 All-Metro All Star in 2021 and also played basketball this past school year.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Ayden is an athletic defender that hasn't touched her softball potential yet. She has the ability to play infield and outfield with her versatility and athleticism. She is a great addition to our culture too." - Vesely
THE PERSON: Both of Allen's parents played college sports at Texas State, and she has one brother, John.
THE PLAYER: Helped St. Mary's to a 31-6 record over 2019 and 2021, winning the league championship each season with the Lancers. Farina played 14 games last season for the Lancers (12-3), batting .477. She led the team in runs scored (33) and walks (12) and finished with a .610 on-base percentage.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Bella gets on base and hits the ball all over the yard. She covers a lot of grass and is a tough out at the plate. She is athletic and she is the type of player we want in our program. She is going to have a great career as a Cougar and excited about her future here." - Vesely
THE PERSON: Farina's father, Anthony, played football at Brockport in New York, and her cousins play collegiate softball and basketball. She has two older siblings, and one younger sibling.
THE PLAYER: Helped the Yellow Jackets 79 total wins over the last three seasons, including district titles in 2019 and 2021 and a region and area championship in 2019. Ranked #68 nationally and the #34 outfielder by Extra Innings Softball and ranked as one of the top outfielders in the state of Texas by Lone Star Preps. Hit .472 as a junior after hitting .333 as a sophomore in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Chloe is a nationally ranked player who is a great add to our team. She is a team player and will help fill some voids as we graduate student-athletes." - Vesely
THE PLAYER: Hit .476 in seven games of her junior campaign with seven extra-base hits in her 10 total hits, including three home runs and three doubles. With her club team, Prolific, is ranked seventh in the Texas Fastpitch League and currently 29th nationally in the Alliance Fastpitch League.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Trinity is a do-it-all type of player who has the ability to hit for power and for average. She will add a big bat to the roster and a much needed power hitter. We feel she has the capability to be a true run producer at the plate." - Vesely
THE PLAYER: A two-time and back-to-back Louisiana State Championship with Notre Dame, Poncho has driven in 95 RBI over her two seasons with the Pioneers. The 2021 All-Louisiana first-team selection was also named Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 State Championship, All-Division 3 first-team and Hitter of the Year.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Corine has a chance to be a middle of the order run producer for us. She has tremendous offensive potential. She is athletic with the ability to hit the ball out of the yard, runs the bases well and has a good presence on the field." - Vesely
THE PERSON: Athleticism runs in the family. Poncho's older brother, Dylon, plays baseball at Louisiana.
THE PLAYER: Won the Texas State Championship with Deer Park in 2021 after helping the Deer to 40-8 in the regular season and a perfect 10-0 league record. Zaid hit .375 in 24 at-bats in 2021 with nine RBI for the Deer.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Kayla is a strong, athletic player whose best softball is ahead of her. She adds speed to the class and our roster. We excited about her future." - Vesely
THE PERSON: Both of Zaid's parents are Cougar alumni.
The six recruits hail from three different states including Texas (4), New York and Louisiana. All six signees are position players, including four infielders. From the state of Texas, Ayden Allen, Chloe Foster, Trinity Loukanis and Kayla Zaid are joined by New Yorker, Bella Farina and Louisiana-native Corine Poncho.
The six future Cougars will each complete their senior seasons at their respective high schools in the spring of 2022 and then join the Houston team in the fall of 2022.
MEET THE 2022 CLASS |
AYDEN ALLEN
Infield - Prosper, Texas - Prosper HS
THE PLAYER: Helped Prosper HS win 50 games in the 2019 and 2021 seasons winning a district title with Prosper in 2019 and making a Regional Final in 2021. The three-time all-district first time selection was a 2021 All-Metro All Star in 2021 and also played basketball this past school year.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Ayden is an athletic defender that hasn't touched her softball potential yet. She has the ability to play infield and outfield with her versatility and athleticism. She is a great addition to our culture too." - Vesely
THE PERSON: Both of Allen's parents played college sports at Texas State, and she has one brother, John.
BELLA FARINA
Outfield - Orchard Park, N.Y. - St. Mary's HS
THE PLAYER: Helped St. Mary's to a 31-6 record over 2019 and 2021, winning the league championship each season with the Lancers. Farina played 14 games last season for the Lancers (12-3), batting .477. She led the team in runs scored (33) and walks (12) and finished with a .610 on-base percentage.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Bella gets on base and hits the ball all over the yard. She covers a lot of grass and is a tough out at the plate. She is athletic and she is the type of player we want in our program. She is going to have a great career as a Cougar and excited about her future here." - Vesely
THE PERSON: Farina's father, Anthony, played football at Brockport in New York, and her cousins play collegiate softball and basketball. She has two older siblings, and one younger sibling.
CHLOE FOSTER
Outfield - Alvin, Texas - Alvin HS
THE PLAYER: Helped the Yellow Jackets 79 total wins over the last three seasons, including district titles in 2019 and 2021 and a region and area championship in 2019. Ranked #68 nationally and the #34 outfielder by Extra Innings Softball and ranked as one of the top outfielders in the state of Texas by Lone Star Preps. Hit .472 as a junior after hitting .333 as a sophomore in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Chloe is a nationally ranked player who is a great add to our team. She is a team player and will help fill some voids as we graduate student-athletes." - Vesely
TRINITY LOUKANIS
Infield - Novasota, Texas - Novasota HS
THE PLAYER: Hit .476 in seven games of her junior campaign with seven extra-base hits in her 10 total hits, including three home runs and three doubles. With her club team, Prolific, is ranked seventh in the Texas Fastpitch League and currently 29th nationally in the Alliance Fastpitch League.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Trinity is a do-it-all type of player who has the ability to hit for power and for average. She will add a big bat to the roster and a much needed power hitter. We feel she has the capability to be a true run producer at the plate." - Vesely
CORINE PONCHO
Infield - Iota, La. - Notre Dame HS
THE PLAYER: A two-time and back-to-back Louisiana State Championship with Notre Dame, Poncho has driven in 95 RBI over her two seasons with the Pioneers. The 2021 All-Louisiana first-team selection was also named Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 State Championship, All-Division 3 first-team and Hitter of the Year.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Corine has a chance to be a middle of the order run producer for us. She has tremendous offensive potential. She is athletic with the ability to hit the ball out of the yard, runs the bases well and has a good presence on the field." - Vesely
THE PERSON: Athleticism runs in the family. Poncho's older brother, Dylon, plays baseball at Louisiana.
KAYLA ZAID
Infield - Deer Park, Texas - Deer Park HS
THE PLAYER: Won the Texas State Championship with Deer Park in 2021 after helping the Deer to 40-8 in the regular season and a perfect 10-0 league record. Zaid hit .375 in 24 at-bats in 2021 with nine RBI for the Deer.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Kayla is a strong, athletic player whose best softball is ahead of her. She adds speed to the class and our roster. We excited about her future." - Vesely
THE PERSON: Both of Zaid's parents are Cougar alumni.
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