The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Softball Inks 11 in 2020 Signing Class
11/15/2019 11:15:00 AM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM- UAB softball and head coach Jimmy Kolaitis welcome 11 newcomers to the 2020 signing class on Wednesday afternoon.
The 2020 signing class includes six Alabama natives as well as five out-of-state signees from California, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Bess Adams, Brooke Burback, Lilly Crowe, Brooke Davis, Sophie Golliver, Laura Harbin, Makalah Mitchell, Camile Nunez, Arden Plugge, Olivia Valbak and Torie White will join the Blazers for the 2020-21 academic year.
"Our recruiting philosophy with this class was to evaluate the ability of the team and recruit high character people," said Kolaitis. "We feel like we have accomplished that by filling the needs of our team and creating some solid depth. Coach Joe Guthrie and Coach Courtnay Foster have worked extremely hard to build this class, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for these young ladies and our program at UAB."
Bess Adams | Infield | Mobile, Ala. | Mobile Christian
Adams is the first of many Alabama natives to stay home. She is a three-time All-County selection and two-time Kiwanis Player of the Week. She represented the South team in the North/South All-Star softball game.
Kolaitis on Adams: "Bess has a chance to really swing the bat for us. She is a strong athlete with some juice. Anytime she swings she has a chance to create some damage."
Brooke Burbak | Catcher/Infield | Chelsea, Ala. | Chelsea
Burback inks her NLI for the Blazers after playing high school ball less than 20 miles away from UAB's campus at Chelsea High School. While at Chelsea, she received All-State First Team recognition and was selected as a North Region Team member. Burback plays travel ball with the 18u Premier Thunderbolts where she was named a Flo Softball Rising Star.
Kolaitis on Burback: "Brooke Burback is a good athlete who can play some infield but will work primarily behind the plate for us. She has great instincts as a catcher and a plus arm. Offensively, she has a chance to hit for power to all spots on the field."
Lilly Crowe | Outfield/Infield | Moody, Ala. | Moody
Crowe looks to carry on the Blazer tradition as both of her parents are UAB alumni. She was a two-time All-County selection as well as a member of the All-State Tournament Team. Crowe recorded 55 hits with 11 doubles, five home runs and 25 RBI a season ago at Moody High School. She plays travel ball for the Birmingham Vipers where she hit .318 with an on-base percentage of .464.
Kolaitis on Crowe: "Lilly is a left-handed hitting outfielder that has some extra base potential. She is someone whose offensive game really fits the style we are trying to play. Her athleticism allows her to not just play the outfield but work in the infield as well."
Brooke Davis |Infield/Outfield | Keller, Texas | Keller
Davis will come to Birmingham from Keller, Texas and Keller High School where she was a UIL 6A state champion. She received First Team All-District and District honorable mention distinctions as well as the Trustees Merit Award. She was named a 2018-19 Easton/NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete for her work in the classroom and on the field.
Kolaitis on Davis: "Brooke Davis is a solid athlete that can do several different things. She can play anywhere on the field at a high level. She is a true utility athlete that will help us compete at the highest level."
Sophie Golliver | Pitcher | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Siegel
Golliver heads for UAB as one of the most highly touted pitchers in middle Tennessee. She was a 2018 Tennessean Player of the Year finalist and DNJ Player of the Year. Gollvier recorded 80 wins with 712 strikeouts and a 2.07 ERA at Siegel High School where she tossed five no hitters, 12 shut outs and one perfect game. She also set a school record for strikeouts in a game with 19. Offensively, Golliver hit .361 with 10 home runs for the Stars.
Kolaitis on Golliver: "Sophie is a right-handed pitcher that can hit the ball. She has a chance to be a front-line arm in Conference USA. She knows how to work up and down in the zone and has a solid change up."
Laura Harbin | Infield | Huntsville, Ala. | Buckhorn
Harbin knows a thing or two about building a championship team coming off a 2019 6A state championship with Buckhorn High School in Huntsville, Ala. She won the 2018 Triple Crown Award for the highest batting average, most home runs and most RBI. Harbin was a member of the North All-Star Team in the 2019 North/South game.
Kolaitis on Harbin: "Laura is a power hitting first baseman from Buckhorn. She knows how to win, as she won a State Championship this past high school season."
Makalah Mitchell | Outfield | Summerfield, N.C. | Northern Guilford
Mitchell signs her NLI with UAB after playing high school softball at Northern Guilford High School in Summerfield, N.C. At Northern Guilford, she captured All-State honorable mention, All-Conference and All-District Team honors. As a freshman, she was named 2016 Female Athlete of the Year.
Kolaitis on Mitchell: "Makalah might be the best pure athlete in this class. She can run, hit, hit for power and defend. She has a chance to develop into a special athlete."
Camile Nunez | Infield/Outfield | Madera, Calif. | Madera
Nunez will make the 2,000-mile journey from Madera, Calif. to Birmingham to play for the Blazers next season. While at Madera High School, she has earned All-League Second Team and 2018 Tribune Team honors.
Kolaitis on Nunez: "Camile is a big-time defender who can play the left side of the infield. She has a solid glove with a strong arm and understands how to play the game. She knows how to compete and win."
Arden Plugge | Pitcher | Vestavia, Ala. | Vestavia Hills
Plugge is another local talent from right down the road in Vestavia, Ala. As a pitcher for the Vestavia Hills High Rebels, she received the 2018 Rising Rebel Award as well as the 2017 Female Freshman Athlete of the Year. Plugge is an active member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and four-time A Honor Roll member.
Kolaitis on Plugge: "Arden is a really athletic young lady that continues to improve every day. She has made some great strides over the last year and has a great future in the circle. She is a hard throwing right-handed pitcher that has a chance to be very good for us."
Olivia Valbak | Pitcher/Infield | Ashburn, Va. | Stone Bridge
Valbak has found success at both shortstop and in the pitching circle at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Va. She was First Team All-State, All-Region and All-District at the shortstop position. Valbak was named the Virginia High School League Class 6A State Player of the Year in 2019.
Kolaitis on Valbak: "Olivia has a tall frame and is still growing into it. She has a chance to be an effective pitcher for us as she continues to get strong. She was also the High School Player of the Year in Virginia as a short stop. She is a dual threat that will help us in the circle and at the plate."
Torie White |Infield | Helena, Ala. | Helena
White is another Alabama native from just outside of Birmingham. While at Helena High School, she received All-State, All-Region and All-County honors. White is a .441 hitter with 45 hits, 37 RBI, 10 doubles, eight home runs and 27 runs scored for the Huskies. She plays travel ball with the 18u Premier Thunderbolts alongside future teammate Brooke Burback.
Kolaitis on White: "Torie is a local athlete that can play multiple positions for us. She is a gap to gap hitter that has the potential to hit with some power."
Softball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB softball team, follow @UAB_SB on Twitter and Instagram.
The 2020 signing class includes six Alabama natives as well as five out-of-state signees from California, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Bess Adams, Brooke Burback, Lilly Crowe, Brooke Davis, Sophie Golliver, Laura Harbin, Makalah Mitchell, Camile Nunez, Arden Plugge, Olivia Valbak and Torie White will join the Blazers for the 2020-21 academic year.
"Our recruiting philosophy with this class was to evaluate the ability of the team and recruit high character people," said Kolaitis. "We feel like we have accomplished that by filling the needs of our team and creating some solid depth. Coach Joe Guthrie and Coach Courtnay Foster have worked extremely hard to build this class, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for these young ladies and our program at UAB."
Bess Adams | Infield | Mobile, Ala. | Mobile Christian
Adams is the first of many Alabama natives to stay home. She is a three-time All-County selection and two-time Kiwanis Player of the Week. She represented the South team in the North/South All-Star softball game.
Kolaitis on Adams: "Bess has a chance to really swing the bat for us. She is a strong athlete with some juice. Anytime she swings she has a chance to create some damage."
Brooke Burbak | Catcher/Infield | Chelsea, Ala. | Chelsea
Burback inks her NLI for the Blazers after playing high school ball less than 20 miles away from UAB's campus at Chelsea High School. While at Chelsea, she received All-State First Team recognition and was selected as a North Region Team member. Burback plays travel ball with the 18u Premier Thunderbolts where she was named a Flo Softball Rising Star.
Kolaitis on Burback: "Brooke Burback is a good athlete who can play some infield but will work primarily behind the plate for us. She has great instincts as a catcher and a plus arm. Offensively, she has a chance to hit for power to all spots on the field."
Lilly Crowe | Outfield/Infield | Moody, Ala. | Moody
Crowe looks to carry on the Blazer tradition as both of her parents are UAB alumni. She was a two-time All-County selection as well as a member of the All-State Tournament Team. Crowe recorded 55 hits with 11 doubles, five home runs and 25 RBI a season ago at Moody High School. She plays travel ball for the Birmingham Vipers where she hit .318 with an on-base percentage of .464.
Kolaitis on Crowe: "Lilly is a left-handed hitting outfielder that has some extra base potential. She is someone whose offensive game really fits the style we are trying to play. Her athleticism allows her to not just play the outfield but work in the infield as well."
Brooke Davis |Infield/Outfield | Keller, Texas | Keller
Davis will come to Birmingham from Keller, Texas and Keller High School where she was a UIL 6A state champion. She received First Team All-District and District honorable mention distinctions as well as the Trustees Merit Award. She was named a 2018-19 Easton/NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete for her work in the classroom and on the field.
Kolaitis on Davis: "Brooke Davis is a solid athlete that can do several different things. She can play anywhere on the field at a high level. She is a true utility athlete that will help us compete at the highest level."
Sophie Golliver | Pitcher | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Siegel
Golliver heads for UAB as one of the most highly touted pitchers in middle Tennessee. She was a 2018 Tennessean Player of the Year finalist and DNJ Player of the Year. Gollvier recorded 80 wins with 712 strikeouts and a 2.07 ERA at Siegel High School where she tossed five no hitters, 12 shut outs and one perfect game. She also set a school record for strikeouts in a game with 19. Offensively, Golliver hit .361 with 10 home runs for the Stars.
Kolaitis on Golliver: "Sophie is a right-handed pitcher that can hit the ball. She has a chance to be a front-line arm in Conference USA. She knows how to work up and down in the zone and has a solid change up."
Laura Harbin | Infield | Huntsville, Ala. | Buckhorn
Harbin knows a thing or two about building a championship team coming off a 2019 6A state championship with Buckhorn High School in Huntsville, Ala. She won the 2018 Triple Crown Award for the highest batting average, most home runs and most RBI. Harbin was a member of the North All-Star Team in the 2019 North/South game.
Kolaitis on Harbin: "Laura is a power hitting first baseman from Buckhorn. She knows how to win, as she won a State Championship this past high school season."
Makalah Mitchell | Outfield | Summerfield, N.C. | Northern Guilford
Mitchell signs her NLI with UAB after playing high school softball at Northern Guilford High School in Summerfield, N.C. At Northern Guilford, she captured All-State honorable mention, All-Conference and All-District Team honors. As a freshman, she was named 2016 Female Athlete of the Year.
Kolaitis on Mitchell: "Makalah might be the best pure athlete in this class. She can run, hit, hit for power and defend. She has a chance to develop into a special athlete."
Camile Nunez | Infield/Outfield | Madera, Calif. | Madera
Nunez will make the 2,000-mile journey from Madera, Calif. to Birmingham to play for the Blazers next season. While at Madera High School, she has earned All-League Second Team and 2018 Tribune Team honors.
Kolaitis on Nunez: "Camile is a big-time defender who can play the left side of the infield. She has a solid glove with a strong arm and understands how to play the game. She knows how to compete and win."
Arden Plugge | Pitcher | Vestavia, Ala. | Vestavia Hills
Plugge is another local talent from right down the road in Vestavia, Ala. As a pitcher for the Vestavia Hills High Rebels, she received the 2018 Rising Rebel Award as well as the 2017 Female Freshman Athlete of the Year. Plugge is an active member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and four-time A Honor Roll member.
Kolaitis on Plugge: "Arden is a really athletic young lady that continues to improve every day. She has made some great strides over the last year and has a great future in the circle. She is a hard throwing right-handed pitcher that has a chance to be very good for us."
Olivia Valbak | Pitcher/Infield | Ashburn, Va. | Stone Bridge
Valbak has found success at both shortstop and in the pitching circle at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Va. She was First Team All-State, All-Region and All-District at the shortstop position. Valbak was named the Virginia High School League Class 6A State Player of the Year in 2019.
Kolaitis on Valbak: "Olivia has a tall frame and is still growing into it. She has a chance to be an effective pitcher for us as she continues to get strong. She was also the High School Player of the Year in Virginia as a short stop. She is a dual threat that will help us in the circle and at the plate."
Torie White |Infield | Helena, Ala. | Helena
White is another Alabama native from just outside of Birmingham. While at Helena High School, she received All-State, All-Region and All-County honors. White is a .441 hitter with 45 hits, 37 RBI, 10 doubles, eight home runs and 27 runs scored for the Huskies. She plays travel ball with the 18u Premier Thunderbolts alongside future teammate Brooke Burback.
Kolaitis on White: "Torie is a local athlete that can play multiple positions for us. She is a gap to gap hitter that has the potential to hit with some power."
Softball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2019-20 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card is an exclusive offer that grants you admission into all UAB men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball events for the upcoming academic year. Contact the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1 for more details.
For more information on the UAB softball team, follow @UAB_SB on Twitter and Instagram.
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