TAMPA, FLA., November 15, 2024 – The University of South Florida Softball head coach
Ken Eriksen has announced the signing of nine athletes to the 2025 signing class.
The class is spread across the country and represents five states. Five are from Florida, one from New York, one from Connecticut, one from Pennsylvania, and one from Texas. Three of the signees have an older sibling on the team, with one having two on the team.
"Collectively, the 2025 class may be in the top three of all the recruiting classes we have had here at USF in the past 30 years," said Eriksen. "The talent from top to bottom of the nine that have signed with us will lend itself to our team's ascent back to a legitimate postseason threat. This class brings speed and power to all three facets of the game: hitting, base-running, and defense. It is very tough not to want these players to get here today!"
Cali Chapman | Houston, Texas | Summer Creek | Athletics Mercado Academy Herrera | Outfielder
Chapman is an outfielder from Summer Creek High School in Houston, Texas. In her first three years, she has been named to the All-District First Team. During her junior year, she was named the District Utility Player of the Year. Cali plays club softball for Athletics Mercado Academy Herrera. This past season, she batted a .593, hit seven home runs, scored 16 runs, and had 18 RBI. Cali is a member of the Junior Canadian National team and played in the World Cup in 2024. She has been named to the District All-Academic Team three years in a row. Cali has also earned the College Board National Academic Honor, the Achievement in Journalism Award, the Bulldog Softball Leadership Award, and the Bulldog Softball Hustle Award.
"Cali Chapman is a very fast and powerful outfielder that has a direct lineage to USF as her mom (Christie Chapman-Rogelstad, USF '06) led the Bulls to the Super Regionals in 2006," said Eriksen. "Chapman covers a lot of territory in the grass and has a hose for an arm. Few balls hit her way will fall and after opposing coaches see the arm strength, she will limit the extra bases that runners will attempt. Cali is also part of the Canadian National Team Program."
Sydney Shaffer | Jupiter, Fla. | Palm Beach Gardens | ROCK Gold- Perantoni | Pitcher
Shaffer is a pitcher from Palm Beach Gardens High School in Jupiter, Florida. In three years, she has a total of 340 strikeouts in 284 innings pitched. Sydney is a three-time Pitcher of the Year winner and earned spots on the Palm Beach Post All-Country First Team, the Sun Sentinel All-County First Team, and the All-State Team. In her junior year, she was the 13th-ranked pitcher in the State of Florida and was third in Division 7A. Sydney played for the Rock Gold-Perantoni Club Team. In three seasons on her club team, she has recorded a sub-3.0 ERA. Schaffer has earned a spot on the Honor Roll all three years.
"Sydney Shaffer is just beginning to gain the aspect of pitching against the best," said Eriksen. "Her smooth delivery and ability to interpret teachings will enhance her productivity once she gets into a consistent practice routine at college. Syd has great body awareness and can spin it."
Kacey Wilkes | Tampa, Fla. | Gaither | Clearwater Lady Bombers 18U Gold Mason | Utility
Wilkes is a catcher and infielder for Gaither High School in Tampa. This past season, Kacey finished with a .469 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage. She was named team captain of her varsity softball team. Kacey plays club softball for the Clearwater Lady Bombers 18U Gold Mason team. She is a two-time team captain for her club team. This summer, Wilkes finished the club season with a .434 batting average. Kacey has been named to her high school honor roll. She is the President of the Younglife Club and an FCCLA club member.
"All our position players are athletes, and they can all play a multitude of positions," said Eriksen. "This by itself bodes well because they all can hit, hit for power, run, throw, and play a high level of defense. It won't be uncommon to see Kacey Wilkes, a Tampa Bay Area product, catch, play middle infield, move to the outfield, and even play a corner position. Seeing the Wilkes sisters (current USF players Jocelyn (USF '26) and Alex (USF '27)) reunited from their Gaither HS playing days will be special.
The other position player who can play corners while primarily being a catcher is Abbie DeWaters. Abbie's natural instincts behind the plate helps continue the strong tradition of catchers at USF. Her ability to control a game and create offense is exciting. Abbie will join her sister Alice (USF '28) on the team next year.
Abbie DeWaters | Hobe Sound, Fla. | South Fork | Tampa Mustangs | Catcher
DeWaters is a catcher from South Fork High School in Hobe Sound, Florida. She has earned a spot on the All-State Team for three straight years. In 2023, Abbie was named her high school team's Most Valuable Player after leading the team in RBIs. She was also named the 2023 All-Area Player of the Year. In 2024, Abbie led her team in hits. Abbie plays club softball for the Tampa Mustangs. Abbie has earned a spot on her high school's honor roll all three years.
Amelia Jacob | Bridgewater, Ct. | Shepaug Valley | Empire State Huskies 18U National | Pitcher
Jacob is a pitcher from Shepaug Valley High School in Bridgewater, Connecticut. In her first three years, she has pitched 361 innings. Amelia has struck out 817 batters and has a 0.87 ERA. She has pitched eight no-hitters and two perfect games. Amelia is a two-time Connecticut All-State Softball player, a three-time Berkshire League All-Star, and a two-time Berkshire League Champion. Amelia plays club softball for the Empire State Huskies 18U National team. She has been a member of the National Honor Society and has earned a spot on her high school's honor roll.
"In the circle, Amelia Jacob brings an uncanny maturity for her age on how to approach hitters and has shown that she can pick up the nuances of pitching at this early stage in her career," said Eriksen. "Watching her work on different pitches and simplify her approach has been exciting, and now, to get her daily working with Coach Claudio in the bullpen strengthens our starting rotation immediately."
Ava Galligani | White Plains, N.Y. | White Plains | Rock Gold Waye 18U | Utility
Galligani is a utility player from White Plains, New York. In her junior season, she finished the season with a .432 batting average, a .554 on-base percentage, and a .753 slugging percentage. Ava is a three-time team captain. Since 2021, Ava has earned a spot on the All-League Team. She is a two-time All-Selection honorable mention and was named to the 2024 All-Section Team. Ava was named the 2024 League Player of the Year. She plays club softball for the Rock Gold Waye 18U team. Ava is a member of the National Honor Society and was named to the Honor Roll.
"Ava Galligani,
Alexa Galligani's (USF '26) sister, gives us a high-level ballplayer that can swing between infield and outfield," said Eriksen. "Her game sense and field awareness for an incoming first-year player help enhance an already strong defensive part for USF. Galligani provides offensive consistency for us from the right side of the plate.
Ava, along with Lexi Beldowicz, gives us two athletic ballplayers who will be pushing people in the starting line-up because of what they can do offensively and defensively. Lexi has played a great schedule as a youth player, and it has paid off for her. Both players lend athletic depth and a tremendous softball IQ to the program."
Lexi Beldowicz | Oviedo, Fla. | Paul J. Hagerty | Tampa Mustangs Rene 18U | Utility
Beldowicz is a utility player from Paul J. Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida. In her first three years, she has recorded 76 hits. Last season, she posted a .444 batting average. In 2024, Lexi was a team captain, earned a spot on the All-Conference First Team, and was named the Offensive Player of the Year. She is a three-time varsity letter earner. Lexi plays club softball for the Tampa Mustangs Rene 18U team. In 2023, she was named a Scenic City All-Star. Lexi is a three-time All-Academic Team member and a High Honor Roll member. She is a member of the National Athletic Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, and the National Honors Society.
Elise McQuiston | Tampa, Fla. | Academy of the Holy Names | Clearwater Bullets Klinefelter 18U | Utility
McQuiston is a utility player from The Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa. Elise earned a spot on the President's Honor Roll and the National Beta Club and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta. She plays club softball for the Clearwater Bullets Klinefelter. In June, Elise was ranked by Extra Innings Softball.
"Elise McQuiston, a lefthanded hitter that has a very high barrel rate can not only hit for a high average but provides us with consistent defense at the first base position," said Eriksen. "McQuiston can also play outfield if needed and will be a threat in the middle of the line-up for us. I love that she is another Tampa Bay area ballplayer who will stay in the area and bring the Championship Mentality from the Academy of Holy Names."
Toryn Fulton | Export, Pa. | Franklin Regional Senior | Team Pennsylvania 18U Hall | Outfielder
Futon is an outfielder from Franklin Regional Senior High School in Export, Pennsylvania. In her last two seasons, she has 15 doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 59 RBI, and 61 runs. Toryn is a three-time All-State First Team member and an All-Section First Team member. In 2023, she was recognized as the Best Pure Hitter. In 2024, Toryn was named Team Captain and was ranked first in section 5A. Toryn plays club softball for Team Pennsylvania 18U Hall. She was named to the Highest Honors Roll.
"Toryn Fulton is an overall athlete who displays all the tools you want in a ballplayer," said Eriksen. "Her versatility has been on display at the youth ball level as she has played middle infield and outfield. I haven't seen many players go first to third, like Fulton and Chapman. With both in the outfield at the same time, we may not need a third outfielder! The arm strength that Toryn has and her "no-fear" ability to go get the ball reminds me of Ana Bruni (USF '22) and Astin Donovan (USF '18), who both patrolled the outfield for USF.
Altogether this is one of the most exciting, recruited classes USF Softball has had. I look forward to witnessing their rise to be the best they can be."
About USF Softball
The South Florida softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012. Under head coach Ken Eriksen, who enters his 28th season in 2025 and has accumulated 1,117 wins, ranking seventh among active DI head softball coaches, USF has produced 10 NFCA All-Americans, two USA Softball Top 10 Player of the Year, and one NFCA Pitcher of the Year. In 2022, Georgina Corrick became the first player in softball history to earn the NCAA Pitching Triple Crown. She led the nation in ERA (0.51), Victories (37), and total strikeouts (418).
Be sure to follow USF softball on social media (X / Facebook / Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
– #GoBulls –
