Softball Adds Seven Signees to 2023 Class
11/8/2023 8:24:00 PM | Softball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo softball program added seven signees to this year's National Signing Day class.
"I couldn't be more excited about this class," stated Head Coach Mike Ruechel. "I believe we signed a promising group of young athletes that will have an immediate impact on our program. I'm looking forward to watching them grow and continue to have success both academically and on the softball field."
Julia Telep // Outfield // Trumbull // Trumbull, Conn.
Julia Telep will join the Bulls from Trumbull, Conn. The outfielder hit .421 with a .493 on base percentage during travel ball last season. She added a .596 slugging percentage during the season. Telep helped Trumbull reach the Connecticut State Semifinals in 2021. This past spring, her team won the West Regional Title. She holds a 3.487 GPA in the classroom.
Ardyn Hopf // Utility // Centerville // Centerville, Ohio
During her high school career at Centerville, Hopf batted in 89 runs on 129 hits, with a batting average of .474. The utility player finished with a slugging percentage of .761. During her freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons, she took home First-Team honors. She made the All-District Team as a sophomore and junior. She is the school's record holder for most RBIs and triples in a single season. Winning is in her DNA as she helped Centerville to a conference title as a sophomore and taking the team to districts this past season. Off the field, Hopf earned Scholar Athlete honors as well as All-Ohio Academic honors.
Ava Thelen // 1B/3B/Outfield // West Bend West // West Bend, Wisc.
Corner infielder and outfielder Ava Thelen joins the Bulls from West Bend, Wisc. Throughout her high school career, she totaled 100 hits, 90 RBIs, and 21 home runs. Last season she hit a career-high .571 and .604 on base percentage. In both her freshman and junior seasons, she was named to the All-Conference Team. In the spring she made Second-Team All-Region to go along with her captaincy. A career highlight was when she played for the 16u BATS National team that won the USA Elite Select World Fastpitch Tournament in Kansas City. Thelen is currently part of the National Honor Society.
Isabella Smithson // Catcher/3B // Warwick // Lititz, Pa.
Isabella Smithson comes in with Lancaster-Lebanon Section I All-Star honors in 2022 and 2023. The quick-twitch catcher throws the ball at a solid 69 mph. Smithson received the 2020 USSSA National Championship Offensive MVP. In total, she collected three all-around MVP awards in the National USSSA tournament. At Warwick, she was part of the 2021 Section and District Championship teams. This past season, she helped Warwick to the Section and League crown.
Malena Toth // Canfield // Canfield, Ohio
A four-time letterwinner in softball, Malena Toth come to Buffalo after being names First-Team AAC the last three seasons. In the spring, she was honored with All-State First Team Division II honors. As a team, she helped Canfield reach the Ohio State Division II Title game. Toth took home Co-Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year honors in 2023.
Emily Gorman // Outfield // Nardin Academy // Buffalo, N.Y.
Another Buffalo native, Emily Gorman, will stay in Western New York. In her three-year varsity career, she racked up a batting average of .533 and an on base percentage of .572. In total she has 96 hits and 97 RBIs. Consistency has been key as she's a three-time All-Catholic First Team member in her career. Last season she earned Third-Team All-State honors.
Genevieve Longsdorf // Pitcher // Cardington Lincoln // Cardington, Ohio
Genevieve Longsdorf joins the Bulls from Cardington, Ohio. The pitcher excels on the field and off as she is currently her class's valedictorian.
"I couldn't be more excited about this class," stated Head Coach Mike Ruechel. "I believe we signed a promising group of young athletes that will have an immediate impact on our program. I'm looking forward to watching them grow and continue to have success both academically and on the softball field."
Julia Telep // Outfield // Trumbull // Trumbull, Conn.
Julia Telep will join the Bulls from Trumbull, Conn. The outfielder hit .421 with a .493 on base percentage during travel ball last season. She added a .596 slugging percentage during the season. Telep helped Trumbull reach the Connecticut State Semifinals in 2021. This past spring, her team won the West Regional Title. She holds a 3.487 GPA in the classroom.
Ardyn Hopf // Utility // Centerville // Centerville, Ohio
During her high school career at Centerville, Hopf batted in 89 runs on 129 hits, with a batting average of .474. The utility player finished with a slugging percentage of .761. During her freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons, she took home First-Team honors. She made the All-District Team as a sophomore and junior. She is the school's record holder for most RBIs and triples in a single season. Winning is in her DNA as she helped Centerville to a conference title as a sophomore and taking the team to districts this past season. Off the field, Hopf earned Scholar Athlete honors as well as All-Ohio Academic honors.
Ava Thelen // 1B/3B/Outfield // West Bend West // West Bend, Wisc.
Corner infielder and outfielder Ava Thelen joins the Bulls from West Bend, Wisc. Throughout her high school career, she totaled 100 hits, 90 RBIs, and 21 home runs. Last season she hit a career-high .571 and .604 on base percentage. In both her freshman and junior seasons, she was named to the All-Conference Team. In the spring she made Second-Team All-Region to go along with her captaincy. A career highlight was when she played for the 16u BATS National team that won the USA Elite Select World Fastpitch Tournament in Kansas City. Thelen is currently part of the National Honor Society.
Isabella Smithson // Catcher/3B // Warwick // Lititz, Pa.
Isabella Smithson comes in with Lancaster-Lebanon Section I All-Star honors in 2022 and 2023. The quick-twitch catcher throws the ball at a solid 69 mph. Smithson received the 2020 USSSA National Championship Offensive MVP. In total, she collected three all-around MVP awards in the National USSSA tournament. At Warwick, she was part of the 2021 Section and District Championship teams. This past season, she helped Warwick to the Section and League crown.
Malena Toth // Canfield // Canfield, Ohio
A four-time letterwinner in softball, Malena Toth come to Buffalo after being names First-Team AAC the last three seasons. In the spring, she was honored with All-State First Team Division II honors. As a team, she helped Canfield reach the Ohio State Division II Title game. Toth took home Co-Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year honors in 2023.
Emily Gorman // Outfield // Nardin Academy // Buffalo, N.Y.
Another Buffalo native, Emily Gorman, will stay in Western New York. In her three-year varsity career, she racked up a batting average of .533 and an on base percentage of .572. In total she has 96 hits and 97 RBIs. Consistency has been key as she's a three-time All-Catholic First Team member in her career. Last season she earned Third-Team All-State honors.
Genevieve Longsdorf // Pitcher // Cardington Lincoln // Cardington, Ohio
Genevieve Longsdorf joins the Bulls from Cardington, Ohio. The pitcher excels on the field and off as she is currently her class's valedictorian.
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