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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Pierson adds six to 2017-18 squad
11/14/2016 6:30:00 PM | Softball
PHOENIX– Grand Canyon head coach Ann Pierson has announced the addition of six student-athletes to the GCU softball program. Kaylee Dietrich, Katelyn Action, Taylor Tetone, Yesenia Morrison, Kaileigh Hollad and Christine Bellavia are set to join the squad for the 2017-18 school year.
"All six girls are great students in the classroom and will continue the academic success of the program," Pierson said. "We are very proud of each and every one of them and look forward to having them as a part of the GCU Softball program."
Kaylee Dietrich (C / Mesa, Ariz.)
Kaylee Dietrich will join the Lopes after completing her senior season at Desert Vista High School. She will be a great asset for GCU at both the catching and third base positions. During the 2015-16 season, Dietrich started in 33 games and averaged a .444 batting average at the plate. With 36 hits she produced 32 RBI and six homers on the season. She also garnered a .534 on base percentage and plated 18 times. During her three years, she's started in 88 games with a battling average of .368 with 84 hits and 57 RBI. Honors include, Defensive Most Valuable Player honors and Desert Ridge Player of the Week accolades.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Sparky is a natural leader with an electric personality. She is a catcher/third baseman with incredible arm strength at both positions. She has great presence on the field and in the dugout and will be a right-handed power hitter in our lineup. Sparky will compete for time behind the plate and in the infield."
Katelyn Acton will join the Lopes as an outfielder and will bring speed and versatility to the field for GCU. Acton has averaged a .418 batting average with 87 hits, 61 RBI and 67 runs throughout her tenure at Verrado High School. She also has legacy at GCU as her father played for the GCU Baseball program.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Kate has GCU in her blood. Her dad, Cory, is an alum of the GCU Baseball program. Kate is a true student of the game with speed and arm strength in the outfield. She will provide gap power as a right-handed hitter and speed on the base paths. Kate is a cerebral player and will compete for time in the outfield."
Taylor Tetone hails from Glendora, Calif. and will play a key role on both offense and defense for the Lopes. The four year varsity starter, has played in 77 games, amassed 77 hits, 59 RBI and a .467 on base percentage. Last season, Tetone played in 22 games with a .423 batting average. She collected 20 runs from 30 hits with 20 RBI. She also smashed seven homers.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Taylor is a gifted athlete and will be used at second base and in the outfield. She is a right-handed power hitter to all fields and has great speed. She is a consistent performer at a high level and will bring a feisty and competitive nature to the field. Taylor's work ethic is off the charts and she will make an immediate impact with our team."
Yesenia Morrison will be a threat in the circle for GCU. The California native will be a power pitcher for GCU and has had a successful high school campaign. Morrison helped led Grand Terrance High School to a 24-1 overall record and a No. 2 ranking in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings. Last season, Morrison went 11-0 in the circle, with three shutouts and a no-hitter. Morrison struck out 102 batters for a .52 ERA through 81 innings pitched during the 2015-16 school year. Accolades include the 2016 MaxPreps California medium schools All-State softball team. Morrison was a part of a high school that garnered 2016 MaxPreps California medium school Team of the Year and Coach of the Year honors.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Yesie is a power pitcher with great command and movement. She throws a heavy ball that locks up batters and she keeps them off balance. She is a mental pitcher with great game sense, using all of her tools to get batters out and keep the offense in the game. Yesie joins the ranks of many successful pitchers at GCU and she will make an immediate impact."
Kaileigh Holland joins GCU and will bring versatility, speed and energy to the field as a catcher and middle infielder. While at Willow Cayon High School, Holland has averaged .424 batting average through 73 appearances at the plate. She has amassed 59 runs from 59 hits with a RBI of 60. She has also hit seven career homers. Last season, she was named Willow Canyon Player of the Year.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"KK is a versatile athlete as a catcher and shortstop. She brings tremendous energy to the field. She has a strong arm in the infield and behind the plate. She is a right-handed power hitter and will be an RBI kid. Kaileigh learns quickly and will be an immediate force. "
Christine Bellavia hails from Tucson, Ariz. and will be an offensive threat for GCU as a left handed bunter, slapper and hitter. Bellavia has played on an international scale during her young career, playing with American and German travel ball teams and participating in games all over the world including Germany, France, Italy and Greece. She was also a state-qualifying track and field athlete at Canyon Del Oro High School.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Chris is a natural athlete with speed. She is a two-sport high school athlete playing softball and running track. She is a left-handed batter and is a triple threat as a bunter, slapper and hitter. She covers a lot of ground in the outfield and has great arm strength. Chris has great energy and will be a mainstay in the outfield."
"All six girls are great students in the classroom and will continue the academic success of the program," Pierson said. "We are very proud of each and every one of them and look forward to having them as a part of the GCU Softball program."
Kaylee Dietrich (C / Mesa, Ariz.)
Kaylee Dietrich will join the Lopes after completing her senior season at Desert Vista High School. She will be a great asset for GCU at both the catching and third base positions. During the 2015-16 season, Dietrich started in 33 games and averaged a .444 batting average at the plate. With 36 hits she produced 32 RBI and six homers on the season. She also garnered a .534 on base percentage and plated 18 times. During her three years, she's started in 88 games with a battling average of .368 with 84 hits and 57 RBI. Honors include, Defensive Most Valuable Player honors and Desert Ridge Player of the Week accolades.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Sparky is a natural leader with an electric personality. She is a catcher/third baseman with incredible arm strength at both positions. She has great presence on the field and in the dugout and will be a right-handed power hitter in our lineup. Sparky will compete for time behind the plate and in the infield."
Katelyn Acton (OF/Buckeye, Ariz.)We continue signing day action and welcome Kaylee Dietrich (@kaylee_sparky05) the the @GCUSoftball program. #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/75IoZYZnfj
— GCU Softball (@GCUSoftball) November 14, 2016
Katelyn Acton will join the Lopes as an outfielder and will bring speed and versatility to the field for GCU. Acton has averaged a .418 batting average with 87 hits, 61 RBI and 67 runs throughout her tenure at Verrado High School. She also has legacy at GCU as her father played for the GCU Baseball program.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Kate has GCU in her blood. Her dad, Cory, is an alum of the GCU Baseball program. Kate is a true student of the game with speed and arm strength in the outfield. She will provide gap power as a right-handed hitter and speed on the base paths. Kate is a cerebral player and will compete for time in the outfield."
Taylor Tetone (2B/Glendora, Calif.)The Lopes welcome @Katelyn2929 to the GCU softball program #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/ll0bNiZbTR
— GCU Softball (@GCUSoftball) November 12, 2016
Taylor Tetone hails from Glendora, Calif. and will play a key role on both offense and defense for the Lopes. The four year varsity starter, has played in 77 games, amassed 77 hits, 59 RBI and a .467 on base percentage. Last season, Tetone played in 22 games with a .423 batting average. She collected 20 runs from 30 hits with 20 RBI. She also smashed seven homers.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Taylor is a gifted athlete and will be used at second base and in the outfield. She is a right-handed power hitter to all fields and has great speed. She is a consistent performer at a high level and will bring a feisty and competitive nature to the field. Taylor's work ethic is off the charts and she will make an immediate impact with our team."
Yesenia Morrison (P/ Grand Terrace, Calif.).@GCUSoftball is proud to announce the addition of @TaylorTetone to the program! #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/McGDkgZCBk
— GCU Softball (@GCUSoftball) November 11, 2016
Yesenia Morrison will be a threat in the circle for GCU. The California native will be a power pitcher for GCU and has had a successful high school campaign. Morrison helped led Grand Terrance High School to a 24-1 overall record and a No. 2 ranking in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings. Last season, Morrison went 11-0 in the circle, with three shutouts and a no-hitter. Morrison struck out 102 batters for a .52 ERA through 81 innings pitched during the 2015-16 school year. Accolades include the 2016 MaxPreps California medium schools All-State softball team. Morrison was a part of a high school that garnered 2016 MaxPreps California medium school Team of the Year and Coach of the Year honors.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Yesie is a power pitcher with great command and movement. She throws a heavy ball that locks up batters and she keeps them off balance. She is a mental pitcher with great game sense, using all of her tools to get batters out and keep the offense in the game. Yesie joins the ranks of many successful pitchers at GCU and she will make an immediate impact."
Kaileigh Holland (C/ Surprise, Ariz.)It's official! @yessierose99 is the newest addition to the @GCUSoftball squad. #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/jrAb8WsFDz
— GCU Softball (@GCUSoftball) November 14, 2016
Kaileigh Holland joins GCU and will bring versatility, speed and energy to the field as a catcher and middle infielder. While at Willow Cayon High School, Holland has averaged .424 batting average through 73 appearances at the plate. She has amassed 59 runs from 59 hits with a RBI of 60. She has also hit seven career homers. Last season, she was named Willow Canyon Player of the Year.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"KK is a versatile athlete as a catcher and shortstop. She brings tremendous energy to the field. She has a strong arm in the infield and behind the plate. She is a right-handed power hitter and will be an RBI kid. Kaileigh learns quickly and will be an immediate force. "
Christine Bellavia (2B/ Tuscon, Ariz.).@GCUSoftball is excited to add Kaileigh Holland to the squad. #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/t1FeQYNRhD
— GCU Softball (@GCUSoftball) November 12, 2016
Christine Bellavia hails from Tucson, Ariz. and will be an offensive threat for GCU as a left handed bunter, slapper and hitter. Bellavia has played on an international scale during her young career, playing with American and German travel ball teams and participating in games all over the world including Germany, France, Italy and Greece. She was also a state-qualifying track and field athlete at Canyon Del Oro High School.
Coach Pierson's thoughts:
"Chris is a natural athlete with speed. She is a two-sport high school athlete playing softball and running track. She is a left-handed batter and is a triple threat as a bunter, slapper and hitter. She covers a lot of ground in the outfield and has great arm strength. Chris has great energy and will be a mainstay in the outfield."
We conclude @GCUSoftball signing day with the addition of @Christine__90 #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/hjwr41WS5d
— GCU Softball (@GCUSoftball) November 14, 2016
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