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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Softball Adds Six for 2015-16
11/24/2014 1:52:00 PM | Softball
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The Grand Canyon University softball program and head coach Ann Pierson have announced the addition of six student-athletes who will further their academic and athletic careers at GCU. The six will join the Antelopes for the 2015-16 school year.
"We are very excited about the 2015 class," said Pierson. "These young ladies are very committed to their academics as well as their athletic abilities. They understand the true meaning of 'student-athlete' and are very much looking forward to starting their careers at GCU. They are great people and will fit right in with the kids we have now. We feel very fortunate to call them future Lopes."
 Heaven Acquart (Top-left), Taylor Kaye (Top-center), Taylor Escobar (Top-right), Maddie Dowdle (Bottom-left), Shea and Sierra Smith (Bottom-right)  Shea Smith, a three-time All-Division pick for Verrado High School, was selected to the 2014 All-Arizona softball team. Smith has garnered All-Section honors three times during her outstanding prep career. The multi-sport athlete also exceled on the soccer field, leading the Vipers to a state championship in 2014, while being named All-Section, All-Division and "Team MVP".
"Shea can truly play anywhere on the field," said Pierson. "Shea is a very smart player. She has a tremendous range with an arm that plays at shortstop. She is quick and can hit with power as well as slap and bunt. We are very excited to have Shea's athletic ability for the next four years."
Sierra Smith will join twin sister Shea next season at GCU. Sierra Smith also boasts a long list of accolades, including being a three-time AIA Division II All-State choice, while also being named First Team All-Division three times. Smith has been an All-Section nod the last three seasons as well for Verrado High School. She has been equally impressive on the soccer field, earning All-Section and All-Division honors three times, as well as being named the Section Player of the Year in 2014.
"Sierra can also play anywhere," said Pierson. "She has experience in the outfield as well as the infield and her abilities make her extremely versatile. She also has great speed and quickness, to make her a power threat as well as a short game menace. We are very fortunate to have Sierra's abilities and game sense for the next four years."
Taylor Escobar, a three-year team captain at Whittier Christian High School in La Habra, Calif., was a 2014 First Team All-League honoree and was named All-Area Honorable Mention. She was also a member of the 2014 Olympic League Champion team. In 2013, the catcher was selected to the Cal A's International Team.
"Taylor is a strong athlete and true leader on the field," said Pierson. "Her arm strength can shut down an opponent's running game. She is a great receiver and has experience catching top pitchers in California. She will provide power at the plate along with being an RBI kid. She is the type of kid you want on your team and don't want to face."
Taylor Kaye will come to GCU via Mountain Ridge High School, where the outfielder was both a First Team All-Section and All-Division selection. Kaye was also named the Defensive Player of the Year during the 2014 campaign for her efforts in the outfield.
"Taylor is a very fast outfielder with a strong arm that plays in right field," said Pierson. "She has a great eye for reads off the bat and coupled with her speed allows her a great deal of range to run down balls. A lefty hitter with a great short game, she also provides gap power and will be an asset as a table setter and base stealer. We are very excited to have this true competitor."
Heaven Acquart was a 2013 NFCA Third Team All-American and also is a two-time NFCA West Region First Team selection for Sahuarita High School in Sahuarita, Ariz. The outfielder was an All-Southern Arizona Division III and AIA Division II First Team honoree after hitting an impressive .547 at the dish—ranking third among players in Southern Arizona Division I/Division II. Acquart was also named a 2013 Triple Crown All-American.
"Heaven is a speedy outfielder who plays every minute with every ounce she has," said Pierson. "She has a tremendous arm to match her range. She is a fearless competitor. She is fast and will add speed from the left side as well as be an RBI kid. She is an aggressive baserunner who will constantly challenge the defense. Heaven is a great athlete and will be a spark for next year's team."
Maddie Dowdle hit a blistering .721 from the dish with an on-base percentage of .746, ranking first among all players across Arizona for Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (Tucson, Ariz.) in 2013. The utility player, who was a member of the 2012 Division 4 State Champion team, also posted a whopping 1.377 slugging percentage, while also being deemed as the "Team MVP" for the Lions.
"Maddie is a true utility player with experience in the infield and outfield," said Pierson. "Maddie is very quick on defense and can cover ground. She is a solid defender and has a great eye for the game. She will provide speed and power from the right side. Even though she is one person, Maddie's athleticism provides us with depth. She has a natural feel for the game."
Fans can visit www.gculopes.com for more information on the GCU softball program. Â
