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University of Houston Athletics
Softball Signs Nine as Signing Period Opens
11/9/2023 12:35:00 PM | Softball
Head Coach Kristin Vesely adds wealth of incoming talent to her 2024 class
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team added nine incoming freshmen to its 2024 Signing Class on National Signing Day, the program announced Thursday.
The class includes four pitchers, including two who also play infield, two catchers, including a catcher/outfielder, an outfielder, an infielder and a utility player. Entering signing day, the class was chosen as one of the Top 50 signing classes by Extra Inning Softball.
"This is a big class for us," Head Coach Kristin Vesely said. "2024 is the first official class we're signing as members of the Big 12 Conference and we've extended our athleticism, added pitching and big time hitters that can come in and make an immediate impact."
NEVAEH BROWN – P – HARKER HEIGHTS, TEXAS
Nevaeh Brown signs with Houston following a preps career with Harker Heights High School under coach Alison Carr and clubs career with Impact Gold.
Brown has amassed a 2.11 ERA with a 41-10 record across her three high school seasons, including 705 strikeouts and a .165 opponent batting average in 331.1 innings pitched. She's also compiled a .384 batting average, including a .430 mark in her junior season, with 21 home runs and 81 RBIs.
In her sophomore season, Brown helped Harker Heights reach the regional semifinals stage of the Texas 6A UIL Tournament. She also threw Harker Heights' first perfect game in the school's 2023 UIL Tournament opener, striking out the first 13 batters she faced. Brown was a 2022 TGCA All-State selection.
Brown was ranked as the #91 recruit in the Extra Inning Softball Extra Elite 100's final rankings of the class of 2024 while also being tabbed as the #39 recruit out of the Southwest Region and the #33 two-way player.
ISABEL CINTRON – C – CHULA VISTA, CALIF.
Cintron joins the Cougars after playing for Otay Ranch High School and club softball for the Corona Angels.
Cintron has recorded a .328 average with 46 RBIs in 84 high school games. She's also added four home runs and 60 runs with 12 doubles.
In her junior season, she helped lead Otay Ranch to the CIF SoCal Division Three Championship match. Cintron was also a 2021 Alliance 14u National Champion and was also selected as a 2022 Second Team All-American by Extra Inning Softball.
MADISON HARTLEY – P/IF – GEORGETOWN, TEXAS
Madison Hartley arrives in Houston following a preps career with Georgetown High School and a club career with Texas Bombers.
As a high-school player, Hartley has tossed a 2.06 ERA with a 33-5 record and 339 strikeouts in 258 innings in the circle. Harley is also an accomplished hitter, compiling a .409/.476/.769 slash with 28 home runs and 119 RBIs.
Hartley was the 5A UIL State Runner Up in her sophomore season and a 5A UIL State Semifinalist in her freshman year and was selected as a All-Tournament Team member in both of the campaigns.
In her junior year, Hartley tallied a .449 batting average with a 2.16 ERA, earning a spot on the state All-Star team and was an All-State honoree. She was also selected as a 2022 Second Team All-American by Extra Inning Softball and was ranked as high as #25 by Extra Inning Softball.
SAVANNA LUTHER – C – McKINNEY, TEXAS
Luther signs with Houston following play with Boyd High School and club play with Texas Glory.
Luther has compiled a .508/.563/.871 slash in 91 high school games, adding 58 extra-base hits, including 36 doubles and 13 home runs, as well as 74 RBIs and 67 runs. She was a Dallas-Fort Worth Fastpitch All-Metroplex First Team member in 2023 as well as the 2023 6A District 5 Catcher of the Year.
Luther was also ranked as high as #38 by Extra Inning Softball.
RYLEE MICHALAK – P – LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.
Michalak joins the Cougars after playing for Notre Dame High School and club softball for New Jersey Intensity.
She's tossed a 1.12 ERA in 324 innings pitched, including a 0.37 ERA in her junior season. Last year, she struck out 223 batters in 114 innings, including multiple no-hitters and a perfect game in the state tournament.
Michalak was tabbed as The Trentonian's Area Player of the Year and was a member of the outlet's All-Area First Team. Michalak was placed at #38 in the final Extra Elite 100 rankings by Extra Inning Softball, including #15 in the Northeast region and #16 two-way player.
MADOX MITCHAEL – IF – FAIRFIELD, TEXAS
Mitchael joins the Cougars after playing high school softball for Fairfield High School and club softball for Texas Glory.
A three-time All-District selection in softball, Mitchael also won the 2023 Alliance National Championship while lettering in Track and Cross Country at Fairfield.
EMILEE PROCHASKA – UTL – LITTLE ELM, TEXAS
Prochaska joins the Cougars after playing softball for Lone Star High School and club softball for Texas Glory.
Prochaska boasts a .486/.564/.851 slash while adding 88 RBIs and 37 extra-base hits along with 36 stolen bases. In her junior season, Prochaska helped Lone Star reach the Regional Final stage of the UIL 5A State Championships and was selected as a member of the 5A All-State Team.
Prochaska ranked as high as #30 by Extra Inning Softball.
In addition to her successful preps softball career, Prochaska also played high school volleyball, tallying 1,378 career digs along with 247 assists and 140 aces, and lettered in track and field.
ARIEL REDMOND – OF – CONROE, TEXAS
Redmond signs with Houston following her career with Oak Ridge High School and a club career with Impact Gold.
In her junior year, Redmond posted a .414 batting average with 16 stolen bases. In total, she's swiped 47 bases in her three years at Oak Ridge. Redmond helped Oak Ridge to a pair of district championships in her freshman and sophomore years. She's also a three-time UIL 6A First Team All-District honoree.
Redmond was placed at #51 in the final Class of 2024 Extra Elite 100 by Extra Inning Softball, #26 in the Southwest Region and #34 among outfielders.
BROOKE WELLS – IF/P – Round Rock, Texas
Wells arrives in Houston after a preps career with Vista Ridge High School and a club career with Texas Glory.
Wells has amassed a .465 average at Vista Ridge, including 34 home runs and 109 RBIs, as well as 304 strikeouts in 198.1 innings. In her junior season, she posted a .605 average with a 2.77 ERA.
Wells was ranked as the #26 in Extra Inning Softball's Extra Elite 100. She was also selected at #16 in the Southwest Region and as the #3 first baseman in the 2024 class.
Wells is the latest member of her family to play collegiately. Her father, Dan, played professional baseball in the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres organizations while her mother, Jaime, played collegiate softball for South Florida.
Her extended family is also athletic, with her uncle, Jim Coburn, playing for the Los Angeles Rams and winning two national championships with Ohio State and her great grandfather, Bruce Coburn, playing for the Detroit Lions.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
The class includes four pitchers, including two who also play infield, two catchers, including a catcher/outfielder, an outfielder, an infielder and a utility player. Entering signing day, the class was chosen as one of the Top 50 signing classes by Extra Inning Softball.
"This is a big class for us," Head Coach Kristin Vesely said. "2024 is the first official class we're signing as members of the Big 12 Conference and we've extended our athleticism, added pitching and big time hitters that can come in and make an immediate impact."
NEVAEH BROWN – P – HARKER HEIGHTS, TEXAS
Nevaeh Brown signs with Houston following a preps career with Harker Heights High School under coach Alison Carr and clubs career with Impact Gold.
Brown has amassed a 2.11 ERA with a 41-10 record across her three high school seasons, including 705 strikeouts and a .165 opponent batting average in 331.1 innings pitched. She's also compiled a .384 batting average, including a .430 mark in her junior season, with 21 home runs and 81 RBIs.
In her sophomore season, Brown helped Harker Heights reach the regional semifinals stage of the Texas 6A UIL Tournament. She also threw Harker Heights' first perfect game in the school's 2023 UIL Tournament opener, striking out the first 13 batters she faced. Brown was a 2022 TGCA All-State selection.
Brown was ranked as the #91 recruit in the Extra Inning Softball Extra Elite 100's final rankings of the class of 2024 while also being tabbed as the #39 recruit out of the Southwest Region and the #33 two-way player.
ISABEL CINTRON – C – CHULA VISTA, CALIF.
Cintron joins the Cougars after playing for Otay Ranch High School and club softball for the Corona Angels.
Cintron has recorded a .328 average with 46 RBIs in 84 high school games. She's also added four home runs and 60 runs with 12 doubles.
In her junior season, she helped lead Otay Ranch to the CIF SoCal Division Three Championship match. Cintron was also a 2021 Alliance 14u National Champion and was also selected as a 2022 Second Team All-American by Extra Inning Softball.
MADISON HARTLEY – P/IF – GEORGETOWN, TEXAS
Madison Hartley arrives in Houston following a preps career with Georgetown High School and a club career with Texas Bombers.
As a high-school player, Hartley has tossed a 2.06 ERA with a 33-5 record and 339 strikeouts in 258 innings in the circle. Harley is also an accomplished hitter, compiling a .409/.476/.769 slash with 28 home runs and 119 RBIs.
Hartley was the 5A UIL State Runner Up in her sophomore season and a 5A UIL State Semifinalist in her freshman year and was selected as a All-Tournament Team member in both of the campaigns.
In her junior year, Hartley tallied a .449 batting average with a 2.16 ERA, earning a spot on the state All-Star team and was an All-State honoree. She was also selected as a 2022 Second Team All-American by Extra Inning Softball and was ranked as high as #25 by Extra Inning Softball.
SAVANNA LUTHER – C – McKINNEY, TEXAS
Luther signs with Houston following play with Boyd High School and club play with Texas Glory.
Luther has compiled a .508/.563/.871 slash in 91 high school games, adding 58 extra-base hits, including 36 doubles and 13 home runs, as well as 74 RBIs and 67 runs. She was a Dallas-Fort Worth Fastpitch All-Metroplex First Team member in 2023 as well as the 2023 6A District 5 Catcher of the Year.
Luther was also ranked as high as #38 by Extra Inning Softball.
RYLEE MICHALAK – P – LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.
Michalak joins the Cougars after playing for Notre Dame High School and club softball for New Jersey Intensity.
She's tossed a 1.12 ERA in 324 innings pitched, including a 0.37 ERA in her junior season. Last year, she struck out 223 batters in 114 innings, including multiple no-hitters and a perfect game in the state tournament.
Michalak was tabbed as The Trentonian's Area Player of the Year and was a member of the outlet's All-Area First Team. Michalak was placed at #38 in the final Extra Elite 100 rankings by Extra Inning Softball, including #15 in the Northeast region and #16 two-way player.
MADOX MITCHAEL – IF – FAIRFIELD, TEXAS
Mitchael joins the Cougars after playing high school softball for Fairfield High School and club softball for Texas Glory.
A three-time All-District selection in softball, Mitchael also won the 2023 Alliance National Championship while lettering in Track and Cross Country at Fairfield.
EMILEE PROCHASKA – UTL – LITTLE ELM, TEXAS
Prochaska joins the Cougars after playing softball for Lone Star High School and club softball for Texas Glory.
Prochaska boasts a .486/.564/.851 slash while adding 88 RBIs and 37 extra-base hits along with 36 stolen bases. In her junior season, Prochaska helped Lone Star reach the Regional Final stage of the UIL 5A State Championships and was selected as a member of the 5A All-State Team.
Prochaska ranked as high as #30 by Extra Inning Softball.
In addition to her successful preps softball career, Prochaska also played high school volleyball, tallying 1,378 career digs along with 247 assists and 140 aces, and lettered in track and field.
ARIEL REDMOND – OF – CONROE, TEXAS
Redmond signs with Houston following her career with Oak Ridge High School and a club career with Impact Gold.
In her junior year, Redmond posted a .414 batting average with 16 stolen bases. In total, she's swiped 47 bases in her three years at Oak Ridge. Redmond helped Oak Ridge to a pair of district championships in her freshman and sophomore years. She's also a three-time UIL 6A First Team All-District honoree.
Redmond was placed at #51 in the final Class of 2024 Extra Elite 100 by Extra Inning Softball, #26 in the Southwest Region and #34 among outfielders.
BROOKE WELLS – IF/P – Round Rock, Texas
Wells arrives in Houston after a preps career with Vista Ridge High School and a club career with Texas Glory.
Wells has amassed a .465 average at Vista Ridge, including 34 home runs and 109 RBIs, as well as 304 strikeouts in 198.1 innings. In her junior season, she posted a .605 average with a 2.77 ERA.
Wells was ranked as the #26 in Extra Inning Softball's Extra Elite 100. She was also selected at #16 in the Southwest Region and as the #3 first baseman in the 2024 class.
Wells is the latest member of her family to play collegiately. Her father, Dan, played professional baseball in the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres organizations while her mother, Jaime, played collegiate softball for South Florida.
Her extended family is also athletic, with her uncle, Jim Coburn, playing for the Los Angeles Rams and winning two national championships with Ohio State and her great grandfather, Bruce Coburn, playing for the Detroit Lions.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the DIAMOND CLUB
Fans can help support the Houston Softball program by joining the Diamond Club. To find out more information about the Diamond Club, click here or call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
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