COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M head softball coach Jo Evans announced the signing of four outstanding softball players to national letters of intent on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
"This is a strong recruiting class," Evans said. "They all bat from the left side and bring versatility to our ball club. All four have a chance to break into our line-up. They are highly motivated to come into our program and make an immediate impact. They are passionate about Texas A&M, outstanding students, and high character young women. I look forward to adding this talented group of student athletes to our program and expect them to make significant contributions to our success."
Kelbi Fortenberry CF 5-4 L/R East Bernard, TX (East Bernard HS)
Kelbi began her high school helping lead Richmond Foster HS to the Texas High School 4A semifinals, earning 1st Team All-District (23-4A) and 2nd Team All-Area. After moving to East Bernard HS her sophomore season, she was a State Finalist earning District 26-2A MVP honors, Fort-Bend All-Area 1st Team, Greater Houston Area 2nd Team, All-State All-Tournament 3rd base, TGCA All-State 2A 1st Team, TSWA All-State 1st Team (3rd Base) and Max-Preps 1st Team All-American Underclassmen and Max-Preps 1st Team All-American (Small School) honors. As a junior, she helped East Bernard to the State Championship earning, TGCA All-State All-Tournament Team, TGCA All-State 1st Team (3rd Base) and 26-3A Academic All-District honors. Started playing 10u select softball at 7 years old before moving on to the Texas Redhots 12u. With the Redhots, she finished 5th at Nationals in Illinois (last Texas team standing), Aces Express 14u, 5th at nationals in Midland, Texas (last Texas team standing.) In 8th grade made the jump to 18u Gold Ball Aces Express Gold 18u placing 5th at Gold Nationals in Clearwater, Florida, leading the team in batting average, batting top 25 in tournament, won the Texas State Championship and won the Texas Gold Cup twice batting leadoff and starting centerfield. While with the Texas Bombers Gold 18u, helped move from 25th ranked team in the country to 10th ranked in country. Ranked No. 23 in the top 100 recruits in the class of 2016 in the country in 2014 and played for the TripleCrown/USA National Championship. Led the team in batting at ASA National Tournament in Chino Hills, California. Recently ranked No. 31 out of the Top 100 recruits in the Class of 2016 in the country.
"Kelbi is an experienced outfielder with speed, finesse, and a great feel for the game. She is a triple threat at the plate with the ability to slap, bunt, and hit for power. She has great range in the outfield and gets a good read off the bat. Her athleticism will be a great addition to our ball club." – Jo Evans, Texas A&M Head Softball Coach
Blake Ann Fritsch OF/SS 5-10 L/R La Grange, TX (La Grange HS)
As a freshman, Fritsch helped win the 2013 Texas UIL State Softball Bronze Medal at La Grange High School in La Grange, Texas. Moving into her sophomore season, she was name 2014 1st Team All-District winning the 2014 Texas UIL State Softball Gold Medal. She was named to the 2014 UIL State All-Tournament Team, the 2014 State Championship Game "Ford's Player of the Game", the 2014 Texas Girls Coaches Association 1st Team All-State and the 2014 Texas Sportswriters Association 1st Team All-State. As a junior, Fritsch was named the 2015 All-District Shortstop and to the 2015 Academic All-District Team. In addition to the honors as a junior, Fritsch was named to the 2013 and 2014 Academic All-District Team. Gifted in track and volleyball, Fritsch was a 2013 & 2014 member of the Texas Relay's Mile Relay Team from La Grange. On the court, Fritsch was named to both the 2014 & 2015 All-District and Academic All-District Team. Fritsch served as a 2013/14 Class Officer, a member of the 2014/15 National Honor Society and the 2014/15 Delta Epsilon Phi society.
"Blake Ann is athletic, fast, explosive, with a real passion for the game. She is a versatile athlete who can play infield and outfield. She is a triple threat at the plate, with the ability to drive the ball and also be effective with the short game. She comes from an Aggie family, so she already bleeds maroon." – Jo Evans, Texas A&M Head Softball Coach
Payton McBride P/1B 5-7 L/L Deer Park, TX (Deer Park HS)
McBride picked up a laundry list of honors at Deer Park High School including Underclass All-American Team (Pitcher) as a freshman, NFCA 1st Team All Region Pitcher as a freshman and a sophomore, 21-5A Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, 21-5A Academic All-District team as a freshman, sophomore and junior before winning the 5A Station Championship as a sophomore. McBride earned State MVP honors as both a sophomore and junior, earning TSWA 5A All-State Players of the Year as a junior. Additionally in junior year, McBride earned District 21-6A MVP honors, THGCA 1st Team All-State, TSWA 1st Team All-State, Texas All South Central Region 1st Team and NFCA High School All-American 2nd Team. McBride has also been involved in National Honor Society as a sophomore and junior.
"Payton has had a tremendous high school and travel ball career so far. She knows what it takes to win championships. Payton will be a great addition to our pitching staff and will give us a lefty in our rotation. She also hits and plays first base, so I am excited about her athleticism and versatility." – Jo Evans, Texas A&M Head Softball Coach
Miranda Miles OF/1B 5-6 L/L Elk Grove, CA (Elk Grove HS)
Miles earned an On Deck Western Elite Camp Invite in 2013 at the Mt. San Antonio Junior College in Walnut, Calif. She has been a four year started on the Elk Grove High School Varsity Softball Team, including the 2012 Elk Grove High School Varsity Softball Team MVP Honors. She has earned four varsity award along with the 2014 Varsity Coaches Award. She was named to the 2016 Top 50 Recruiting for Student Sports along with the 2014 First Team Metro Award.
"I am excited to welcome Miranda to our program. Miranda is a terrific first baseman and can also play the outfield. Miranda has a sweet swing and is a lefty hitter who can hit to all fields. She has a calm, confident, presence on the field and is someone who can be counted on in clutch situations." – Jo Evans, Texas A&M Head Softball Coach
"This is a strong recruiting class," Evans said. "They all bat from the left side and bring versatility to our ball club. All four have a chance to break into our line-up. They are highly motivated to come into our program and make an immediate impact. They are passionate about Texas A&M, outstanding students, and high character young women. I look forward to adding this talented group of student athletes to our program and expect them to make significant contributions to our success."
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | B/T | Hometown (High School) |
| Kelbi Fortenberry | CF | 5-4 | L/R | East Bernard, TX (East Bernard HS) |
| Blake Ann Fritsch | OF/SS | 5-10 | L/R | La Grange, TX (La Grange HS) |
| Payton McBride | P/1B | 5-7 | L/L | Deer Park, TX (Deer Park HS) |
| Miranda Miles | OF/1B | 5-6 | L/L | Elk Grove, CA (Elk Grove HS) |
Kelbi Fortenberry CF 5-4 L/R East Bernard, TX (East Bernard HS)
Kelbi began her high school helping lead Richmond Foster HS to the Texas High School 4A semifinals, earning 1st Team All-District (23-4A) and 2nd Team All-Area. After moving to East Bernard HS her sophomore season, she was a State Finalist earning District 26-2A MVP honors, Fort-Bend All-Area 1st Team, Greater Houston Area 2nd Team, All-State All-Tournament 3rd base, TGCA All-State 2A 1st Team, TSWA All-State 1st Team (3rd Base) and Max-Preps 1st Team All-American Underclassmen and Max-Preps 1st Team All-American (Small School) honors. As a junior, she helped East Bernard to the State Championship earning, TGCA All-State All-Tournament Team, TGCA All-State 1st Team (3rd Base) and 26-3A Academic All-District honors. Started playing 10u select softball at 7 years old before moving on to the Texas Redhots 12u. With the Redhots, she finished 5th at Nationals in Illinois (last Texas team standing), Aces Express 14u, 5th at nationals in Midland, Texas (last Texas team standing.) In 8th grade made the jump to 18u Gold Ball Aces Express Gold 18u placing 5th at Gold Nationals in Clearwater, Florida, leading the team in batting average, batting top 25 in tournament, won the Texas State Championship and won the Texas Gold Cup twice batting leadoff and starting centerfield. While with the Texas Bombers Gold 18u, helped move from 25th ranked team in the country to 10th ranked in country. Ranked No. 23 in the top 100 recruits in the class of 2016 in the country in 2014 and played for the TripleCrown/USA National Championship. Led the team in batting at ASA National Tournament in Chino Hills, California. Recently ranked No. 31 out of the Top 100 recruits in the Class of 2016 in the country."Kelbi is an experienced outfielder with speed, finesse, and a great feel for the game. She is a triple threat at the plate with the ability to slap, bunt, and hit for power. She has great range in the outfield and gets a good read off the bat. Her athleticism will be a great addition to our ball club." – Jo Evans, Texas A&M Head Softball Coach
Blake Ann Fritsch OF/SS 5-10 L/R La Grange, TX (La Grange HS)
As a freshman, Fritsch helped win the 2013 Texas UIL State Softball Bronze Medal at La Grange High School in La Grange, Texas. Moving into her sophomore season, she was name 2014 1st Team All-District winning the 2014 Texas UIL State Softball Gold Medal. She was named to the 2014 UIL State All-Tournament Team, the 2014 State Championship Game "Ford's Player of the Game", the 2014 Texas Girls Coaches Association 1st Team All-State and the 2014 Texas Sportswriters Association 1st Team All-State. As a junior, Fritsch was named the 2015 All-District Shortstop and to the 2015 Academic All-District Team. In addition to the honors as a junior, Fritsch was named to the 2013 and 2014 Academic All-District Team. Gifted in track and volleyball, Fritsch was a 2013 & 2014 member of the Texas Relay's Mile Relay Team from La Grange. On the court, Fritsch was named to both the 2014 & 2015 All-District and Academic All-District Team. Fritsch served as a 2013/14 Class Officer, a member of the 2014/15 National Honor Society and the 2014/15 Delta Epsilon Phi society."Blake Ann is athletic, fast, explosive, with a real passion for the game. She is a versatile athlete who can play infield and outfield. She is a triple threat at the plate, with the ability to drive the ball and also be effective with the short game. She comes from an Aggie family, so she already bleeds maroon." – Jo Evans, Texas A&M Head Softball Coach
Payton McBride P/1B 5-7 L/L Deer Park, TX (Deer Park HS)
McBride picked up a laundry list of honors at Deer Park High School including Underclass All-American Team (Pitcher) as a freshman, NFCA 1st Team All Region Pitcher as a freshman and a sophomore, 21-5A Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, 21-5A Academic All-District team as a freshman, sophomore and junior before winning the 5A Station Championship as a sophomore. McBride earned State MVP honors as both a sophomore and junior, earning TSWA 5A All-State Players of the Year as a junior. Additionally in junior year, McBride earned District 21-6A MVP honors, THGCA 1st Team All-State, TSWA 1st Team All-State, Texas All South Central Region 1st Team and NFCA High School All-American 2nd Team. McBride has also been involved in National Honor Society as a sophomore and junior."Payton has had a tremendous high school and travel ball career so far. She knows what it takes to win championships. Payton will be a great addition to our pitching staff and will give us a lefty in our rotation. She also hits and plays first base, so I am excited about her athleticism and versatility." – Jo Evans, Texas A&M Head Softball Coach
Miranda Miles OF/1B 5-6 L/L Elk Grove, CA (Elk Grove HS)
Miles earned an On Deck Western Elite Camp Invite in 2013 at the Mt. San Antonio Junior College in Walnut, Calif. She has been a four year started on the Elk Grove High School Varsity Softball Team, including the 2012 Elk Grove High School Varsity Softball Team MVP Honors. She has earned four varsity award along with the 2014 Varsity Coaches Award. She was named to the 2016 Top 50 Recruiting for Student Sports along with the 2014 First Team Metro Award."I am excited to welcome Miranda to our program. Miranda is a terrific first baseman and can also play the outfield. Miranda has a sweet swing and is a lefty hitter who can hit to all fields. She has a calm, confident, presence on the field and is someone who can be counted on in clutch situations." – Jo Evans, Texas A&M Head Softball Coach