CSUN Softball Welcomes Newcomers To The Program

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—As the CSUN softball program begins its Fall workouts, the Matadors will welcome six freshmen to the program.

Kiarra Crockett-Pope is a 2018 graduate of Cerritos High School where she was named first team Division 2 All-CIF, HMG-Community News Player of the Year and HMG-Community News first team All-Area as a senior. Crockett-Pope hit .739 and was intentionally walked 19 times in 12 league games in 2018. She was selected HMG-Community News first team All-Area as a junior and was chosen first team All-League four times.

"Kiarra has good power and had as a good softball IQ," said CSUN head coach Tairia Flowers.

Sarah Duran is a 2018 graduate of Whittier High School. Duran was named Offensive Player of the Year as a senior after hitting .450 as a senior with 10 RBI, a .537 slugging, and .511 on-base percentage. Duran was selected second team All-League in 2017 and first team All-League in 2016. She ended prep career with a .373 career batting average, 63 career runs scored, and 33 career runs batted in.

"Sarah has the ability to play both in the infield and outfield," Flowers said. "She has good jumps and push in both areas."

Sami Garcia is a 2018 graduate of San Dimas High School. Garcia was chosen second team CalHiSports Medium Schools All-State as a senior after hitting .477 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI. She scored 31 runs and posted eight doubles in 2018. In the circle, she posted a 1.32 ERA during her senior campaign and broke the school strikeouts record. Garcia also earned All-CIF, Valle Vista League MVP, and team MVP honors as a senior.

"Sami is a versatile athlete," said Flowers. "She will be an asset on the field and in the circle. Sami has a strong arm and good presence."

Maddy Johnson is a 2018 graduate of Paraclete High School. Johnson participated in both softball and track at Paraclete. She helped softball team to a 2015 CIF Championship. Johnson moved to fifth in school history in the hurdles during the 2017 season.

"Maddy has good speed," Flowers said. "She was a track athlete and will provide good competition in the outfield."

Elise Madison is a 2018 graduate of Elk Grove High School. She was named first team All-Delta League and All-City and was a member of the Sacramento Optimist South Team during her career. Madison posted an 11-5 record with 86 strikeouts as a senior and would end her high school career with 193 strikeouts in 247.1 innings of work.

"Elise Madison has good spin and demeanor in the circle," Flowers said.

The final freshman is Aaliyah Swan. Swan is a 2018 graduate of Joseph A. Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif. She was named first team All-Modesto Metropolitan League in each of her four seasons on the varsity. Swan hit .406 with a .494 on-base percentage to go along with 25 RBI as a senior. She also played basketball for Gregori High from 2014-16 and was named team MVP on two occasions.

"Aaliyah has good hands and range which will give us depth in the infield," Flowers said.

Flowers also announced the addition of Carissa Sherman to the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. Sherman was a three-year letter winner for the Matadors despite begin slowed by injuries during her career. In 96 career games for CSUN, Sherman hit .278 with 43 runs scored and nine RBI.

"Carissa has always been an attribute to this program," Flowers said. "She has always been a field general and player-coach in the dugout and now she gets to start on her path to being that up and coming coach. We are fortunate to have her stay on here with us."

~www.GoMatadors.com~

CSUN Softball Welcomes Newcomers To The Program

Players Mentioned

Carissa Sherman

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