Penn softball announces new recruiting class

Penn softball has nowhere to look but the future.

After a three-game losing streak put its record at 7-6, the team looked to improve, but never got the chance as the season was canceled as a result of the coronavirus. 

The team will have to wait until next season to snap its losing streak, and it will do so with the help of the new recruits that make up the Penn softball Class of 2024, recently announced by coach Leslie King. 

The latest batch of recruits features seven players from six different states, with two hailing from California. 

"I am very excited about our incoming freshman class of seven," said King. "It is a well-balanced class with a huge amount of athleticism. We have pitching, catching, defense, power, and speed all coming in to solidify our team. This class is ready to contribute immediately!"

The class is full of softball players who excelled in multiple sports during high school, from basketball, to golf, to taekwondo. 

One of the top recruits in the class is Dana Anderson, an infielder from Miamisburg, Ohio. A diverse and gifted athlete, Anderson played basketball and volleyball in high school in addition to softball. She was a two-time team captain and two-time MVP for her old team. Coach King hopes she can bring this leadership and spirit to the infield for the Red and Blue, describing her positive attitude as ‘contagious.’

Another recruit to watch is outfielder Julia Mortimer of Coto De Caza, Calif., who led her high school team in 2020 with an undefeated record at 8-0 before the suspension of the season due to the coronavirus outbreak. In 2019, she and her teammates won the 2019 Trinity League title. Mortimer will hope to replicate her high school success at Penn, supplying great batting, outfielding, and maturity to the roster.

Rounding out the class are outfielder Brianna Brown, infielder Sammy Fenton, catcher Jillian Kuntze, utility player Katie Reagan, and Olivia Szewczyk, the classes' lone pitcher.