Eriksen Signs Four to 2022 Signing Class
November 11, 2021 | Softball
TAMPA, FLA. Dec. 7, 2020 – University of South Florida head coach Ken Eriksen has announced four signees to his 2022 signing class, adding a group of talent to his program for the 2022-23 year.
In addition to a pair of in-state pitcher/utilities, Eriksen has added a utility player from New York and a catcher/utility from Puerto Rico.
Alexa Galligani | White Plains, N.Y. | White Plains High School
A signee from the New York City suburbs, Galligani joins the Bulls as a triple-threat hitter that can play any position in the infield or outfield. An all-league selection in her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, Galligani was also an all-state selection in 2021. Galligani plays for White Plains High School under head coach Ted O'Donnell and for Rock Gold under coach Rick Waye.
"Alexa is exciting," Eriksen said. "Her ability to create offense will fit well in our scheme of putting pressure on defenses. She is an athlete that is a dream to have on a ballclub because she can play anywhere. Her softball IQ is something that she has been honing for years. Bulls fans will love watching her play!"
Galligani comes from a bat-and-ball sport family, as her father was a ninth-round draft pick in 1992 by the Oakland Athletics. She's also a stand-out soccer athlete, playing for the varsity team at White Plains HS.
Morgan Grubb | Bartow, Fla. | Bartow High School
A Bay Area local player from Bartow, Fla., Grubb signs as dual-threat pitcher that can also play field positions. In the 2020-21 season, Grubb hit .364 in 77 at bats, driving home 25 runs with five doubles and five home runs. So far in her high school career, Grubb has played in 45 games with a .322/.374/.537 slash.
"Morgan Grubb is a valuable asset for us as she not only pitches but can play many positions and hits for power," Eriksen said. "A good athlete that provides us versatility she will challenge for a spot in the middle of the line-up right away."
Jaden Martinez | Tallahassee, Fla. | Chiles High School
Martinez arrives in Tampa after a preps career at Chiles High School in Tallahassee, Fla. In her junior year at Chiles, Martinez posted an 11-5 record with a 2.24 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched along with a .391 batting average with 10 doubles in 64 at bats. Martinez also helped Chiles reach the FHSAA 6A Regional Semifinals in 2021. Overall, Martinez has tossed 132 innings in high school play, striking out 151 batters with a 2.12 ERA.
"Jaden is an exciting left handed pitcher and will help us offensively and defensively when she is not pitching," Eriksen said. "I am excited to add another quality pitcher to our traditionally strong pitching program!"
Camille Ortiz | Salinas, Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School
Ortiz, a catcher/utility combo, will arrive at USF with a wealth of international experience having played in the Puerto Rican National Team system, currently representing the nation at the U-18 level. In addition to attending the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School, Ortiz represented Puerto Rico at the inaugural Pan American Junior Games held in Cali, Colombia, in 2021, where she helped the team capture the bronze medal, defeating Peru 3-1 to clinch the third-place finish. Ortiz also played for the Caribenas Salinas Softball Academy out of Salinas.
"We are really excited to announce the signing of Camille Ortiz-Martinez. Camille adds tremendous athletic depth to our team and is a versatile player," Eriksen said. "Her experience on the international scene while playing for Team Puerto Rico is an added bonus for us and joins a list of former and current USF players that have donned the uniforms of their home lands."
About USF Softball
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 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
In addition to a pair of in-state pitcher/utilities, Eriksen has added a utility player from New York and a catcher/utility from Puerto Rico.
Alexa Galligani | White Plains, N.Y. | White Plains High School
A signee from the New York City suburbs, Galligani joins the Bulls as a triple-threat hitter that can play any position in the infield or outfield. An all-league selection in her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, Galligani was also an all-state selection in 2021. Galligani plays for White Plains High School under head coach Ted O'Donnell and for Rock Gold under coach Rick Waye.
"Alexa is exciting," Eriksen said. "Her ability to create offense will fit well in our scheme of putting pressure on defenses. She is an athlete that is a dream to have on a ballclub because she can play anywhere. Her softball IQ is something that she has been honing for years. Bulls fans will love watching her play!"
Galligani comes from a bat-and-ball sport family, as her father was a ninth-round draft pick in 1992 by the Oakland Athletics. She's also a stand-out soccer athlete, playing for the varsity team at White Plains HS.
Morgan Grubb | Bartow, Fla. | Bartow High School
A Bay Area local player from Bartow, Fla., Grubb signs as dual-threat pitcher that can also play field positions. In the 2020-21 season, Grubb hit .364 in 77 at bats, driving home 25 runs with five doubles and five home runs. So far in her high school career, Grubb has played in 45 games with a .322/.374/.537 slash.
"Morgan Grubb is a valuable asset for us as she not only pitches but can play many positions and hits for power," Eriksen said. "A good athlete that provides us versatility she will challenge for a spot in the middle of the line-up right away."
Jaden Martinez | Tallahassee, Fla. | Chiles High School
Martinez arrives in Tampa after a preps career at Chiles High School in Tallahassee, Fla. In her junior year at Chiles, Martinez posted an 11-5 record with a 2.24 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched along with a .391 batting average with 10 doubles in 64 at bats. Martinez also helped Chiles reach the FHSAA 6A Regional Semifinals in 2021. Overall, Martinez has tossed 132 innings in high school play, striking out 151 batters with a 2.12 ERA.
"Jaden is an exciting left handed pitcher and will help us offensively and defensively when she is not pitching," Eriksen said. "I am excited to add another quality pitcher to our traditionally strong pitching program!"
Camille Ortiz | Salinas, Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School
Ortiz, a catcher/utility combo, will arrive at USF with a wealth of international experience having played in the Puerto Rican National Team system, currently representing the nation at the U-18 level. In addition to attending the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School, Ortiz represented Puerto Rico at the inaugural Pan American Junior Games held in Cali, Colombia, in 2021, where she helped the team capture the bronze medal, defeating Peru 3-1 to clinch the third-place finish. Ortiz also played for the Caribenas Salinas Softball Academy out of Salinas.
"We are really excited to announce the signing of Camille Ortiz-Martinez. Camille adds tremendous athletic depth to our team and is a versatile player," Eriksen said. "Her experience on the international scene while playing for Team Puerto Rico is an added bonus for us and joins a list of former and current USF players that have donned the uniforms of their home lands."
About USF Softball
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 15 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.
– #GoBulls –
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