Eastern Michigan Athletics
Softball Announces Dynamic and Talented 2017 Recruiting Class
11/14/2016 12:21:00 PM | Softball
The Eagles inked five players from five different states
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University softball team announced the signing of five high school seniors to National Letters of Intent, Wednesday, Nov. 9. The Green and White inked Kiara Hurley (Maumee, Ohio-Maumee), Lauren Holdsworth (Howell, Mich.-Ladywood), Casey Skeens (Poca, W. Va.-Poca), Sophia Holland (Lugoff, S.C.-Lugoff-Elgin), and Cassandra Perez-Ramirez (Colton, Calif.-Colton), making up another talented recruiting class under Head Coach Melissa Gentile and her staff.
"I am excited for this talented group to join us, as they all bring something different to the table," Gentile said. "This group, along with one other athlete that we are unable to announce at this time, will help continue to drive EMU softball towards a MAC Championship. This group has speed, it has power, it has athleticism, and they are all strong in the classroom as well!"
Hurley comes to Ypsilanti from Maumee, Ohio, where she was a four-year letterwinner at Maumee High School. There, Hurley reeled in several awards as a stout and effective pitcher. Named All-Ohio Honorable Mention as a junior, Hurley also earned the distinction of first team all-district, Third Team All-NLL, Second Team All-NLL, and an NLL All-Star during her outstanding prep career in the circle. A lefty, Hurley's wide arsenal adds to the Eagles talented pitching staff, bringing a look different from any of the other Green and White hurlers.
"Kiara reminds me of a lefty pitcher we had in the program my first year here, Lauren Wells," Gentile stated. "She does a very good job of spinning the ball and causing hitters to constantly adjust from pitch to pitch."
Hailing from Howell, Mich., Holdsworth joins the Eagles after a decorated prep career at Ladywood High School. A three-time all-district, all-region, and all-league honoree, Holdsworth is one of the most decorated players the Green and White have seen. Named the 12u USSSA Tournament Most Valuable Player, Holdsworth was also selected to the 13u USSSA Tournament Team. In 2015, Holdsworth fueled her travel club to a fifth place finish at PGF Nationals Platinum, a TCS Northeast National Championship, and a third-place rank at the TCS Colorado Fireworks 18u Open. At Ladywood High School, the Howell, Mich. product has led the Blazers to two MHSAA Division II district and regional championships, including a pair of state semifinals appearances in 2014 and 2016.
"Lauren will be a big asset for us both at third base and at the plate," Gentile added. "She brings strong defense with a big bat and that combo will be essential for us in 2017."
Skeens is a talented and well-rounded player out of Poca, W. Va., where she was a four-year letterwinner for Poca High School with the ability to play nearly anywhere on the field. A speedster, Skeens holds the Poca High School records for stolen bases (109) and batting average (.502), while also having led the Kanawha Valley in stolen bases in each of the past three seasons. A three-time First Team All-Cardinal Conference selection, Skeens is also a three-time Cardinal Conference All-Academic Awardwinner. Meanwhile, Skeens has been named First Team All-Kanawha Valley twice, and picked up First Team AA All-State honors as an infielder in 2016. In the raveling circuit, Skeens led the Beverly Bandits to a Bouder IDT Final Four finish in 2015, a top-10 finish at PGF Premier Nationals for 16u, a 2016 PGF Premier National Championship, and a 2016 PGF Surf City Shooutout 18u title.
"Skeens is a lefty with all the tools at the plate to hit a shot down the line or drop a bunt on the corners," Gentile said. "She gets great reads in the outfield and has an infectious competitive drive that will push everyone around here. Casey is very strong academically and will be a great representative of EMU Softball in everything she does."
A four-year letterwinner for Lugoff-Elgin High School, Holland travels to Ypsilanti from Lugoff, S.C. with a big bat and the ability to bolster the Eagles' lineup, while also shoring up the Green and White's depth at catcher. In addition to being a three-time all-region selection, Holland is a two-time recipient of Lugoff-Elgin's Team Leadership Award. An all-tournament and all-state awardwinner, Holland was also named Rookie of the Year in 2014. Holland has led the Demons in RBI's, doubles, and home runs during her career, helping Lugoff-Elgin to a pair of regional championships, a district championship, and a third-place finish at state.
"Sophie will come in and battle for catching time right away," Gentile remarked. "She has obviously been very successful but the best thing about Sophie is how good I know she will be and I can't wait to get to work!"
Perez-Ramirez rounds out the class, signing with the Eagles out of Colton High School in Colton, Calif. A three-time captain, Perez-Ramirez is a four-year letterwinner and three-time all-league selection. She led her travel club to a PGF National Championship and Colorado Fireworks title in 2015.
"Cassandra can be a large part of our pitching staff in the 2017 class and will battle right away for a starting spot," Gentile added. "She is a strong pitcher that with some hard work right away could make an immediate impact in our conference."
2016 EMU Softball Recruiting Class
"I am excited for this talented group to join us, as they all bring something different to the table," Gentile said. "This group, along with one other athlete that we are unable to announce at this time, will help continue to drive EMU softball towards a MAC Championship. This group has speed, it has power, it has athleticism, and they are all strong in the classroom as well!"
Hurley comes to Ypsilanti from Maumee, Ohio, where she was a four-year letterwinner at Maumee High School. There, Hurley reeled in several awards as a stout and effective pitcher. Named All-Ohio Honorable Mention as a junior, Hurley also earned the distinction of first team all-district, Third Team All-NLL, Second Team All-NLL, and an NLL All-Star during her outstanding prep career in the circle. A lefty, Hurley's wide arsenal adds to the Eagles talented pitching staff, bringing a look different from any of the other Green and White hurlers.
"Kiara reminds me of a lefty pitcher we had in the program my first year here, Lauren Wells," Gentile stated. "She does a very good job of spinning the ball and causing hitters to constantly adjust from pitch to pitch."
Hailing from Howell, Mich., Holdsworth joins the Eagles after a decorated prep career at Ladywood High School. A three-time all-district, all-region, and all-league honoree, Holdsworth is one of the most decorated players the Green and White have seen. Named the 12u USSSA Tournament Most Valuable Player, Holdsworth was also selected to the 13u USSSA Tournament Team. In 2015, Holdsworth fueled her travel club to a fifth place finish at PGF Nationals Platinum, a TCS Northeast National Championship, and a third-place rank at the TCS Colorado Fireworks 18u Open. At Ladywood High School, the Howell, Mich. product has led the Blazers to two MHSAA Division II district and regional championships, including a pair of state semifinals appearances in 2014 and 2016.
"Lauren will be a big asset for us both at third base and at the plate," Gentile added. "She brings strong defense with a big bat and that combo will be essential for us in 2017."
Skeens is a talented and well-rounded player out of Poca, W. Va., where she was a four-year letterwinner for Poca High School with the ability to play nearly anywhere on the field. A speedster, Skeens holds the Poca High School records for stolen bases (109) and batting average (.502), while also having led the Kanawha Valley in stolen bases in each of the past three seasons. A three-time First Team All-Cardinal Conference selection, Skeens is also a three-time Cardinal Conference All-Academic Awardwinner. Meanwhile, Skeens has been named First Team All-Kanawha Valley twice, and picked up First Team AA All-State honors as an infielder in 2016. In the raveling circuit, Skeens led the Beverly Bandits to a Bouder IDT Final Four finish in 2015, a top-10 finish at PGF Premier Nationals for 16u, a 2016 PGF Premier National Championship, and a 2016 PGF Surf City Shooutout 18u title.
"Skeens is a lefty with all the tools at the plate to hit a shot down the line or drop a bunt on the corners," Gentile said. "She gets great reads in the outfield and has an infectious competitive drive that will push everyone around here. Casey is very strong academically and will be a great representative of EMU Softball in everything she does."
A four-year letterwinner for Lugoff-Elgin High School, Holland travels to Ypsilanti from Lugoff, S.C. with a big bat and the ability to bolster the Eagles' lineup, while also shoring up the Green and White's depth at catcher. In addition to being a three-time all-region selection, Holland is a two-time recipient of Lugoff-Elgin's Team Leadership Award. An all-tournament and all-state awardwinner, Holland was also named Rookie of the Year in 2014. Holland has led the Demons in RBI's, doubles, and home runs during her career, helping Lugoff-Elgin to a pair of regional championships, a district championship, and a third-place finish at state.
"Sophie will come in and battle for catching time right away," Gentile remarked. "She has obviously been very successful but the best thing about Sophie is how good I know she will be and I can't wait to get to work!"
Perez-Ramirez rounds out the class, signing with the Eagles out of Colton High School in Colton, Calif. A three-time captain, Perez-Ramirez is a four-year letterwinner and three-time all-league selection. She led her travel club to a PGF National Championship and Colorado Fireworks title in 2015.
"Cassandra can be a large part of our pitching staff in the 2017 class and will battle right away for a starting spot," Gentile added. "She is a strong pitcher that with some hard work right away could make an immediate impact in our conference."
2016 EMU Softball Recruiting Class
| Name | Pos. | B/T | Cl.-El. | Hometown-High School |
| Kiara Hurley | P | R/L | Fr.-Fr. | Maumee, Ohio-Maumee |
| Lauren Holdsworth | 3B | R/R | Fr.-Fr. | Howell, Mich.-Ladywood |
| Casey Skeens | OF | L/R | Fr.-Fr. | Poca, W. Va.-Poca |
| Sophia Holland | C | R/R | Fr.-Fr. | Lugoff, S.C.-Lugoff-Elgin |
| Cassandra Perez-Ramirez | P | R/R | Fr.-Fr. | Colton, Calif.-Colton |
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