USF Softball Inks Eight for 2018 Signing class
TAMPA, Nov. 14, 2018 – Head coach
Ken Eriksen and USF Softball welcome eight new Bulls in their 2018 signing class.
"I am very pleased with our signing class. A class that includes not just every position, but also runs the gamut of offensive speed and power with defensive softball IQ," said head coach
Ken Eriksen. "I am looking forward to this class continuing to help us grow and stay strong amongst the softball elite in college."
2018 Signees
Alexis Buchman | Tampa | Alonso High School
Buchman is a Tampa native who joins the Bulls from Alonso High School. The utility player was on the Sarasota Heat club team, and played with current USF freshman Megan Pierro.
"Alexis is a player that may be able to play nine positions for us and play them all well. Her softball wherewithal is impressive and her grit is off the chart. She has the ability to bat from both sides of the plate not just bunt from the left side. She is a fast player on both offense and defense, and adds another dimension of excitement for us." – Coach Eriksen
Taryn Freshwater | Atlantic Beach, Fla. | Fletcher High School
Freshwater is a catcher and a first baseman from Florida. Taryn boasts a 4.0 GPA and was an all-conference selection at Fletcher High School.
"Taryn is a strong presence on the field and in the dugout. Her demeanor bodes well for being a catcher and a corners player for us. Her ability to see the whole field and learn quickly is exactly what you want in those positions. Taryn has the ability to drive the ball to both gaps, which opens up the opposing defense."- Coach Eriksen
Jordyn Kadlub | Wesley Chapel, Fla. | Pasco High School
Kadlub is a Bay Area native who played club with another 2018 signee, Bailee Leistl. She also played soccer in high school, and was named the North Suncoast Soccer Player of the Year. She was named all-conference for both softball and soccer and received an all-academic award. Kadlub boasts a 4.8 weighted GPA, and was named the valedictorian of her class.
"Jordyn is an exceptional athlete that is slated to throw for us and add excitement to our offense. A local player that also decided to pursue college in her backyard, Jordyn can hit, hit for average, and hit for power. A very fast runner and powerful pitcher, she will develop quickly being at USF full-time."- Coach Eriksen
Bailee Leistl | Valrico, Fla. | Newsome High School 
Leistl is another signee from the Tampa Bay area. The younger sister of USF redshirt junior Brooke Liestl, Bailee is following in her sister's footsteps as an outfielder. She played club for the Tampa Mustangs Bell with Jordyn Kadlub and current freshman Dezarae Maldonado. Leistl has a 4.08 weighted GPA and is a part of the National Honor Society, Principles honor roll and honor roll. She was the captain of her junior softball team and was a 2018 second team Tampa Bay Times All-Hillsborough County selection. She was a 2018 First Team All-Western Conference selection and 2017 Tampa Bay Times All-Hillsborough County honorable mention.
"Bailee joins her sister Brooke next year. I joke that my biggest worry is that they will be competing against each other fiercely. However, I think that will be great as they push each other and others will see how competitive the Leistl sisters are. I am excited to see how fast Bailee can adapt to Division I pitching. She is a lefty slapper that we will work with to drive the ball and diversify the short game. She has the wheels. She joins a very fast team now so it's good to see that continue for us."
– Coach Eriksen
Jenna Monk | Fairfield, Ohio | Cincinnati Christian School
Monk is an outfielder from Ohio who sees being a Bull as a "dream come true." She boasts a 3.8 GP and has been a part of the honor roll for three straight years. She was the Miami Valley Conference Athlete of the Year for 2017 and 2018. She was named to the All-City First Team three straight years, 2016-18, and all-Ohio in 2017.
"Jenna is a player that has a great approach at the plate and continues to improve every time I see her. That is due to all of her drive and hard work in trying to be the best she can be when she gets here in the fall. Coming from Cincinnati, she will see the benefit of getting to play in the warm weather all year. One thing we definitely know, she will show up every day and work hard to help us win." – Coach Eriksen
Vivian Ponn | Fort Myers, Fla. | Fort Myers High School 
Ponn is a diverse player from Fort Myers, Fla., who can pitch and play first base. She boasts a 4.45 weighted GPA. Ponn has been nominated for player of the year three years in a row, and won in her junior year. She also won offensive player of the year three years in a row.
"Vivian will be able to not only pitch for us, but she carries a big bat. Her ability to hit for power will continue to become more consistent as she matures at the plate over the next four years. I feel that she is just beginning to come into her own as a pitcher also. She has a tremendous feel for the game." – Coach Eriksen
Alexis Swearingen | Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. | Suncoast Community High School
Swearingen is a utility player. She was named Palm Beach First Team All-County in 2016, 2017 and 2018. She was also named the MVP of her high school team in 2017 and 2018. Swearingen has athletic experience in basketball and soccer, but focused on softball once she started high school.
"She is a strong athletic ballplayer, and will use her strong arm in the outfield as well as the infield. Alexis is a powerful hitter that will develop as a tough out because she has a great sense in getting the barrel to the ball."- Coach Eriksen
Natalie Zweig | Tampa | Sickles High School
Zweig is the final piece of the Bulls' Bay Area puzzle, and is a utility player. She boasts a 4.3 weighted GPA. Zweig has been coached by USF softball alumna and USF hall of fame inductee Kourtney Salvarola. She was named MVP of her high school team during her freshman year.
"Natalie plays the game hard as soon as she steps out of the locker room. That fits in very well here as the expectation for all of our players is to be engaged 100 percent of the time. She will be among a few Tampa Bay Area players joining us next year, we are excited to have another nationally recruited player decide to stay home and represent the Tampa softball scene. Her versatility to play a multitude of positions well is a huge asset."- Coach Eriksen
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (Twitter / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
The USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
