COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M softball signed two elite prospects in Lexi Smith and Sarah Hudek to its 2016 signing class, head coach Jo Evans announced Thursday.
Smith and Hudek join Kelbi Fortenberry (East Bernard, Texas), Blake Ann Fritsch (La Grange, Texas), Payton McBride (Deer Park, Texas) and Miranda Miles (Elk Grove, Calif.), who singled National Letters of Intent on Nov. 11.
"We are excited to add Lexi and Sarah to our 2016 recruiting class," Evans said. "They are both accustomed to competing at a high level and will add to an already talented class. The experiences they have gained from playing in college will add maturity to the new group of recruits and they will have a chance to hit the ground running when they get to campus."
Smith (Temple, Texas/Temple College) will add depth to the pitching rotation as the right hander was named the District 12-5A MVP from 2011-2014, and was named to the 2011-12 All-Centex Team and 2013-14 All-State Team while at Temple High School. In 2012-13, Smith was dubbed the All Area MVP.
Smith has been awarded National Pitcher of the Week four times in the last two years and compiled a 22-8 record as a freshman with a 0.91 ERA and 316 strikeouts for Temple College. Smith was named Pitcher of the Year for the Northern Conference Region 5 and was also a First Team All-American.
"Lexi is a fierce competitor," Evans added. "She has been a leader on her Temple JC team in the circle and at the plate, and has competed at the highest level in the NJCAA National Championship. She is a workhorse, wants the ball on the mound, has a great rise ball, and a commanding presence. I expect her to immediately contribute to our pitching staff."
Hudek (Sugar Land, Texas/Bossier Parish CC), who has played baseball since she was 11 and is currently playing at Bossier Parish CC, was a 2015 Pan American gold medalist in Toronto and was named the 2014 USA
Baseball Sportswoman of the Year. The outfielder majoring in Agricultural Leadership and Supervision, was a member of the 2014 silver medal team at the IBAF Women's Baseball World Cup in Miyazaki, Japan, and earned IBAF Women's Baseball World Cup Best Relief Pitcher and Pitcher with Best Win-Loss Average honors. In 2014, Hudek was named to the Perfect Game WWBA All-Tournament.
During her two years of varsity at George Ranch, she was a 4A state tournament semi-finalist in 2014 and earned academic all-district honors in 2015.
"Sarah knows how to compete," said Evans. "Although her background is in baseball, her skill set translates well to our game. She is highly competitive and has a tremendous work ethic. She has had to work hard for everything she has gotten in the game of baseball. She is mature and wise beyond her years. She will compete in the outfield and at the plate for us and will bring a unique background and experience to our program. Her athleticism will be a great addition to our program."
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
* signed in November
Smith and Hudek join Kelbi Fortenberry (East Bernard, Texas), Blake Ann Fritsch (La Grange, Texas), Payton McBride (Deer Park, Texas) and Miranda Miles (Elk Grove, Calif.), who singled National Letters of Intent on Nov. 11.
"We are excited to add Lexi and Sarah to our 2016 recruiting class," Evans said. "They are both accustomed to competing at a high level and will add to an already talented class. The experiences they have gained from playing in college will add maturity to the new group of recruits and they will have a chance to hit the ground running when they get to campus."
Smith (Temple, Texas/Temple College) will add depth to the pitching rotation as the right hander was named the District 12-5A MVP from 2011-2014, and was named to the 2011-12 All-Centex Team and 2013-14 All-State Team while at Temple High School. In 2012-13, Smith was dubbed the All Area MVP.Smith has been awarded National Pitcher of the Week four times in the last two years and compiled a 22-8 record as a freshman with a 0.91 ERA and 316 strikeouts for Temple College. Smith was named Pitcher of the Year for the Northern Conference Region 5 and was also a First Team All-American.
"Lexi is a fierce competitor," Evans added. "She has been a leader on her Temple JC team in the circle and at the plate, and has competed at the highest level in the NJCAA National Championship. She is a workhorse, wants the ball on the mound, has a great rise ball, and a commanding presence. I expect her to immediately contribute to our pitching staff."
Hudek (Sugar Land, Texas/Bossier Parish CC), who has played baseball since she was 11 and is currently playing at Bossier Parish CC, was a 2015 Pan American gold medalist in Toronto and was named the 2014 USA
Baseball Sportswoman of the Year. The outfielder majoring in Agricultural Leadership and Supervision, was a member of the 2014 silver medal team at the IBAF Women's Baseball World Cup in Miyazaki, Japan, and earned IBAF Women's Baseball World Cup Best Relief Pitcher and Pitcher with Best Win-Loss Average honors. In 2014, Hudek was named to the Perfect Game WWBA All-Tournament.During her two years of varsity at George Ranch, she was a 4A state tournament semi-finalist in 2014 and earned academic all-district honors in 2015.
"Sarah knows how to compete," said Evans. "Although her background is in baseball, her skill set translates well to our game. She is highly competitive and has a tremendous work ethic. She has had to work hard for everything she has gotten in the game of baseball. She is mature and wise beyond her years. She will compete in the outfield and at the plate for us and will bring a unique background and experience to our program. Her athleticism will be a great addition to our program."
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
2016 Texas A&M Softball Signing Class
| 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) |
| Sarah Hudek | OF | 5-8 | L/L | Sugar Land, TX (George Ranch HS/Bossier Parish CC) |
| 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) |
| Lexi Smith | P | 5-8 | R/R | Temple, TX (Temple/Temple JC) |
* signed in November