Completed Event: Softball versus San José State on March 22, 2026 , Win , 10, to, 4
Softball
vs San José State
W 10-4
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Skyler Coblentz
Hays signs 7 in first full recruiting class
11/10/2021 6:57:00 PM | Softball
Future Lopes include student-athletes from 5 states, British Columbia
Grand Canyon softball announced a recruiting class of seven signees who will join its fall 2022 roster.
Lopes first-year head coach Shannon Hays' first full-fledged recruiting class at GCU includes middle infielder Torie Au, pitchers Taryn Batterton and Hailey Hudson, catcher Mikaela Payne, outfielders Emma Rodriguez and Brynn-Jordan Smythe and third baseman Caitlyn Wong.
TORIE AU
Middle infielder – Wahiawa, Hawaii - Leilehua HS
Au, from Wahiawa, Hawai'i, is a left-handed hitting middle infielder or outfielder. Au will bring experience and speed to the Lopes, as she has been on varsity softball at Leilehua High School since her freshman season.
"Torie was the last kid to commit to GCU softball this fall," Lopes head coach Shanon Hays said. "She is a very talented and well-rounded player that can play any infield or outfield position due to her athleticism. When we found out that going to a Christian school was a priority to her, we went after her hard. She is the icing on the cake for us and we are so blessed to have her sign at GCU. She is a great person and we expect her to have a great career here."
AU, a two-time captain, helped lead her Mules team to a runner-up finish in the state as a freshman. In her junior season, Au was ranked third in Division 1 for batting average with a .538. She also totaled 14 hits, 10 runs and eight extra-base hits, including four doubles, three home runs and a triple.
"I chose GCU because the feel of the culture made me feel like I can make a home here." Au said. "Also because of my Christian faith, I felt like I can as well continue that. I can see myself grow into a great player and a great person in life."
TARYN BATTERTON
Pitcher – Latta, Okla. - Latta HS
A 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher from Latta, Oklahoma, Taryn Batterton is an extremely decorated pitcher who spent four years as the starting pitcher for Latta High School. She also spent four years on the Panthers' varsity basketball team and has been a three-year starter.
"Taryn is a pitcher who has a great upside," Hays said. :She is a very good athlete at 6-3 and has good velocity, which will only improve over time. She has been a two-sport athlete and I feel like concentrating only on softball will give her a chance to be a bigtime force in the circle. She is a super student and person who will be a great fit in our program and at GCU. We expect big things from her."
Batterton brings a competitive and winning attitude to the table, helping lead the Panthers to the Oklahoma state championship in her junior season. She is a four-time all-district Pitcher of the Year, as well as being named the all-state Pitcher of the Year as a senior this fall. Batterton also succeeds in the classroom with academic achievement awards.
"The minute I stepped on campus, I felt at home," Batterton said. "Getting the opportunity to play softball at the highest level while also getting to earn a degree and strengthen my relationship with Christ felt like the perfect situation. I left campus knowing that GCU was the place I belonged."
HAILEY HUDSON
Pitcher/first baseman – College Station, Texas – McLennan CC
Hudson, from College Station, Texas, is a right-handed pitcher and first baseman who spent her freshman season at Houston and is currently at McLennan Community College for her sophomore season.
While at Houston, Hudson appeared in 12 games with eight starts and a 3-5 record. In her season debut, Hudson threw a complete-game no-hitter, only allowing three baserunners.
"Hailey is a student-athlete who can both pitch and play first as well as hit with power," Hays said. "I expect her to be one of the top juco pitchers in the nation this year. GCU had been on her radar for a while, which was great because she ended up being heavily recruited. She is a tall, athletic athlete who has great pitchability. She chose GCU over some really good Power 5 programs and (GCU assistant) Coach Maribeth Gorsuch is fired up to add her and Taryn to our staff. Her ability to be a possible two-way player is intriguing and we look forward to getting her here."
Hudson was a standout at College Station High School, where she led the Cougars to back-to-back Region III semifinal appearances in 2018-19, having posted two 30-win seasons during that stretch. She was awarded District MVP in back-to-back years and named to the 2018 and 2019 all-state teams. She closed out her high school career with a 75-12 record in the circle.
"I chose GCU because it is a healthy environment with a great coaching staff that cares about you personally and not just an athlete," Hudson said.
MIKAELA PAYNE
Catcher/infielder – Albuquerque, N.M. – Yavapai CC
Payne, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is 5-foot-8 catcher who is a transfer from Yavapai Community College in Prescott, Arizona.
"Mikaela is an athlete who pretty much fell into our lap, and we are pumped that she has," Hays said. "GCU was always on her radar because she wanted to go to a faith-based school and she had an opportunity to see our great facilities. Our staff all had the opportunity to see her multiple times this fall and we loved what we saw. She is an All-American catcher that can really hit. Even better, she is a top-notch student and person. We are glad she chose GCU."
While at Yavapai in Prescott, Arizona, Payne has been a standout for the Rough Riders. In her freshman season she was named to the all-conference second team and the all-region first team. Nationally, she was selected as junior college All-American. Payne was also named to the national all-tournament team and the junior college Division 1 all-tournament team. She also was rewarded achieving a 4.0-plus GPA.
"I chose GCU because I love the Christian environment, the beautiful campus and especially the softball program and coaches," Payne said.
EMMA RODRIGUES
Outfielder – Little Elm, Texas – John Paul II HS
Rodrigues, from Little Elm, Texas, is a two-sport athlete at John Paul II High School. Rodrigues has been a four-year varsity starter for softball and track.
"Emma is an athletic kid who can run well and has some juice in her hands to hit," Hays said "She will add some depth to our outfield. She is another player who has had GCU on her radar for a long time. She has been to the school many times and has always wanted to go to a Christian university. She is another really good student and person. We are really happy she chose GCU!"
Rodrigues will bring speed and a winning attitude to the Lopes after she helped lead the Cardinals to a softball state championship earlier this yeear. She earned first-team all-district in 2019 and was named to the all-state first team this year, when she was also the district's Offensive Player of the Year. In her final season with the Cardinals, she stole 40 bases and had a batting average of .512 with an on-base percentage of .615.
"I chose GCU because it I am able to practice my academic and athletic skills and faith simultaneously," Rodrigues said. "I love the Arizona heat and outdoor activities offered in Arizona. With the incredible coaching staff and softball program offered, I believe GCU is somewhere I will be able to learn and develop into an exceptional athlete while competing at a high level."
BRYNN-JORDAN SMYTHE
Outfielder – Phoenix, Ariz. – Chandler HS
Smythe, from Phoenix, is a 5-foot-6 left-handed hitter who has started in the outfield all three varsity seasons at Chandler High School.
"Brynn was the first player on our radar when we took the job here at GCU," Hays said. "Signing a talented outfielder was a priority from Day 1 and landing Brynn was big for our program. She plays for a top travel club in the AZ Storm, and she has the ability to be a really good top-of-the-order player for our program for a long time. She can both slap and hit for power and she also has the ability to be a bigtime base stealer at the DI level. She wanted to stay close to home and play in front of her family and friends and we are happy to accommodate. She is a great addition to our program as a super player and great person."
Smythe was named last season's Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year as a junior with the Wolves. Smythe hit .419 and had a on-base percentage of .507 with 26 hits and 20 runs scored. In 19 games, she hit four doubles, a triple and a home run.
"I chose GCU because I loved how it felt like home and being able to imagine my parents watching me play," Smythe said.
CAITLYN WONG
Third baseman – Port Coquitlam, British Columbia – McLennan CC
Wong, from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, is a 5-foot-3 left-handed power hitter and third baseman who spent last season at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. Prior to McLennan, Wong played for the Terry Fox Secondary School and was a utility player for the U16 and U18 Canadian National Championships.
"CC is a kid who I have had the opportunity to see play many times over last year," Hays said. ":She is a lefty hitter who possesses really good pop off her bat. It is great to add another high-level lefty bat to our roster and she has a reputation for being one of the top juco hitters in the country. She is also a great student and person that will easily transition to GCU."
In her first season with McLennan, Wong earned multiple honors. She was named her conference's Offensive Player of the Year as well as a second-team all-region pick as a third baseman. Wong appeared in 55 games in her first season, recording a team-leading .481 batting average with 20 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 66 RBIs and 54 runs scored.
"I chose GCU because, as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew it was the place I wanted to be for the next few years," Wong said.
Lopes first-year head coach Shannon Hays' first full-fledged recruiting class at GCU includes middle infielder Torie Au, pitchers Taryn Batterton and Hailey Hudson, catcher Mikaela Payne, outfielders Emma Rodriguez and Brynn-Jordan Smythe and third baseman Caitlyn Wong.
TORIE AU
Middle infielder – Wahiawa, Hawaii - Leilehua HS
Au, from Wahiawa, Hawai'i, is a left-handed hitting middle infielder or outfielder. Au will bring experience and speed to the Lopes, as she has been on varsity softball at Leilehua High School since her freshman season.
"Torie was the last kid to commit to GCU softball this fall," Lopes head coach Shanon Hays said. "She is a very talented and well-rounded player that can play any infield or outfield position due to her athleticism. When we found out that going to a Christian school was a priority to her, we went after her hard. She is the icing on the cake for us and we are so blessed to have her sign at GCU. She is a great person and we expect her to have a great career here."
AU, a two-time captain, helped lead her Mules team to a runner-up finish in the state as a freshman. In her junior season, Au was ranked third in Division 1 for batting average with a .538. She also totaled 14 hits, 10 runs and eight extra-base hits, including four doubles, three home runs and a triple.
"I chose GCU because the feel of the culture made me feel like I can make a home here." Au said. "Also because of my Christian faith, I felt like I can as well continue that. I can see myself grow into a great player and a great person in life."
TARYN BATTERTON
Pitcher – Latta, Okla. - Latta HS
A 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher from Latta, Oklahoma, Taryn Batterton is an extremely decorated pitcher who spent four years as the starting pitcher for Latta High School. She also spent four years on the Panthers' varsity basketball team and has been a three-year starter.
"Taryn is a pitcher who has a great upside," Hays said. :She is a very good athlete at 6-3 and has good velocity, which will only improve over time. She has been a two-sport athlete and I feel like concentrating only on softball will give her a chance to be a bigtime force in the circle. She is a super student and person who will be a great fit in our program and at GCU. We expect big things from her."
Batterton brings a competitive and winning attitude to the table, helping lead the Panthers to the Oklahoma state championship in her junior season. She is a four-time all-district Pitcher of the Year, as well as being named the all-state Pitcher of the Year as a senior this fall. Batterton also succeeds in the classroom with academic achievement awards.
"The minute I stepped on campus, I felt at home," Batterton said. "Getting the opportunity to play softball at the highest level while also getting to earn a degree and strengthen my relationship with Christ felt like the perfect situation. I left campus knowing that GCU was the place I belonged."
HAILEY HUDSON
Pitcher/first baseman – College Station, Texas – McLennan CC
Hudson, from College Station, Texas, is a right-handed pitcher and first baseman who spent her freshman season at Houston and is currently at McLennan Community College for her sophomore season.
While at Houston, Hudson appeared in 12 games with eight starts and a 3-5 record. In her season debut, Hudson threw a complete-game no-hitter, only allowing three baserunners.
"Hailey is a student-athlete who can both pitch and play first as well as hit with power," Hays said. "I expect her to be one of the top juco pitchers in the nation this year. GCU had been on her radar for a while, which was great because she ended up being heavily recruited. She is a tall, athletic athlete who has great pitchability. She chose GCU over some really good Power 5 programs and (GCU assistant) Coach Maribeth Gorsuch is fired up to add her and Taryn to our staff. Her ability to be a possible two-way player is intriguing and we look forward to getting her here."
Hudson was a standout at College Station High School, where she led the Cougars to back-to-back Region III semifinal appearances in 2018-19, having posted two 30-win seasons during that stretch. She was awarded District MVP in back-to-back years and named to the 2018 and 2019 all-state teams. She closed out her high school career with a 75-12 record in the circle.
"I chose GCU because it is a healthy environment with a great coaching staff that cares about you personally and not just an athlete," Hudson said.
MIKAELA PAYNE
Catcher/infielder – Albuquerque, N.M. – Yavapai CC
Payne, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is 5-foot-8 catcher who is a transfer from Yavapai Community College in Prescott, Arizona.
"Mikaela is an athlete who pretty much fell into our lap, and we are pumped that she has," Hays said. "GCU was always on her radar because she wanted to go to a faith-based school and she had an opportunity to see our great facilities. Our staff all had the opportunity to see her multiple times this fall and we loved what we saw. She is an All-American catcher that can really hit. Even better, she is a top-notch student and person. We are glad she chose GCU."
While at Yavapai in Prescott, Arizona, Payne has been a standout for the Rough Riders. In her freshman season she was named to the all-conference second team and the all-region first team. Nationally, she was selected as junior college All-American. Payne was also named to the national all-tournament team and the junior college Division 1 all-tournament team. She also was rewarded achieving a 4.0-plus GPA.
"I chose GCU because I love the Christian environment, the beautiful campus and especially the softball program and coaches," Payne said.
EMMA RODRIGUES
Outfielder – Little Elm, Texas – John Paul II HS
Rodrigues, from Little Elm, Texas, is a two-sport athlete at John Paul II High School. Rodrigues has been a four-year varsity starter for softball and track.
"Emma is an athletic kid who can run well and has some juice in her hands to hit," Hays said "She will add some depth to our outfield. She is another player who has had GCU on her radar for a long time. She has been to the school many times and has always wanted to go to a Christian university. She is another really good student and person. We are really happy she chose GCU!"
Rodrigues will bring speed and a winning attitude to the Lopes after she helped lead the Cardinals to a softball state championship earlier this yeear. She earned first-team all-district in 2019 and was named to the all-state first team this year, when she was also the district's Offensive Player of the Year. In her final season with the Cardinals, she stole 40 bases and had a batting average of .512 with an on-base percentage of .615.
"I chose GCU because it I am able to practice my academic and athletic skills and faith simultaneously," Rodrigues said. "I love the Arizona heat and outdoor activities offered in Arizona. With the incredible coaching staff and softball program offered, I believe GCU is somewhere I will be able to learn and develop into an exceptional athlete while competing at a high level."
BRYNN-JORDAN SMYTHE
Outfielder – Phoenix, Ariz. – Chandler HS
Smythe, from Phoenix, is a 5-foot-6 left-handed hitter who has started in the outfield all three varsity seasons at Chandler High School.
"Brynn was the first player on our radar when we took the job here at GCU," Hays said. "Signing a talented outfielder was a priority from Day 1 and landing Brynn was big for our program. She plays for a top travel club in the AZ Storm, and she has the ability to be a really good top-of-the-order player for our program for a long time. She can both slap and hit for power and she also has the ability to be a bigtime base stealer at the DI level. She wanted to stay close to home and play in front of her family and friends and we are happy to accommodate. She is a great addition to our program as a super player and great person."
Smythe was named last season's Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year as a junior with the Wolves. Smythe hit .419 and had a on-base percentage of .507 with 26 hits and 20 runs scored. In 19 games, she hit four doubles, a triple and a home run.
"I chose GCU because I loved how it felt like home and being able to imagine my parents watching me play," Smythe said.
CAITLYN WONG
Third baseman – Port Coquitlam, British Columbia – McLennan CC
Wong, from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, is a 5-foot-3 left-handed power hitter and third baseman who spent last season at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. Prior to McLennan, Wong played for the Terry Fox Secondary School and was a utility player for the U16 and U18 Canadian National Championships.
"CC is a kid who I have had the opportunity to see play many times over last year," Hays said. ":She is a lefty hitter who possesses really good pop off her bat. It is great to add another high-level lefty bat to our roster and she has a reputation for being one of the top juco hitters in the country. She is also a great student and person that will easily transition to GCU."
In her first season with McLennan, Wong earned multiple honors. She was named her conference's Offensive Player of the Year as well as a second-team all-region pick as a third baseman. Wong appeared in 55 games in her first season, recording a team-leading .481 batting average with 20 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 66 RBIs and 54 runs scored.
"I chose GCU because, as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew it was the place I wanted to be for the next few years," Wong said.
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