Texas Tech University Athletics
Gregory Announces First Signing Class at Texas Tech
November 17, 2014 | Softball
Adrian Gregory announced her first signing class as head coach of the Red Raiders on Monday. Gregory, along with associate head coach Sharonda McDonald and assistant coach Amanda Locke, inked seven signees in the class, including six from the state of Texas.
Nov. 17, 2014
LUBBOCK, Texas -Texas Tech head coach Adrian Gregory announced the first signing class of her tenure Monday afternoon as seven future Red Raiders have inked National Letters of Intent to join the program for the 2016 season.
The seven-member class includes Mackenzie Davis (Angleton, Texas), Karli Hamilton (Katy, Texas), Makenzi Harris (Azle, Texas), Jessica Hartwell (Galt, Calif.), Annelise Oswalt (Flower Mound, Texas), Kiani Ramsey (Portland, Texas), and Kiana Workman (Tomball, Texas).
"We are extremely excited about our signing class this fall," Gregory said. "We believe these kids will bring tenacity and a vibrant work ethic that any team would be lucky to have. These kids possess an array of talent and diverse skill sets that will help Texas Tech compete at a high level. We cannot wait to get these kids on campus and test their limits."
The class will provide Tech with needed depth across the diamond as well as in the circle as Gregory and her staff added three recruits who could see action in the infield (Davis, Hartwell, Workman), two in the outfield (Hamilton, Ramsey), and one that could play both in Oswalt.
Harris, meanwhile, will give Tech a solid arm in the circle following the graduation of both Cara Custer and Chandler Moore following the 2015 season. She is one of six signees to hail from the state of Texas with the one exception being Hartwell, a native of Galt, California.
Gregory and her staff, consisting of associate head coach Sharonda McDonald and assistant coach Amanda Locke, secured the signing class in a rather short period after being hired in early June. The upcoming 2015 season will be Gregory's first leading the Red Raiders.
| TEXAS TECH SOFTBALL 2015 EARLY SIGNING CLASS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLAYER | POS | B/T | HOMETOWN | HIGH SCHOOL |
| Mackenzie Davis | INF | L/R | Angleton, Texas | Angleton |
| Karli Hamilton | OF | L/R | Katy, Texas | Cinco Ranch |
| Makenzi Harris | RHP | R/R | Azle, Texas | Azle |
| Jessica Hartwell | INF | R/R | Galt, Calif. | Liberty Ranch |
| Annelise Oswalt | INF/OF | R/R | Flower Mound, Texas | Flower Mound |
| Kiani Ramsey | OF | L/L | Portland, Texas | Portland |
| Kiana Workman | C/INF | R/R | Tomball, Texas | Tomball |
Gregory has benefited from the arrival of associate head coach Sharonda McDonald (pictured above) as well as assistant coach Amanda Locke. The staff picked up seven committments since arriving at Texas Tech this past June.
| MACKENZIE DAVIS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Makenzie Davis | INF | L/R | Angleton, Texas / Angleton H.S. |
Speedy prospect who will add to infield depth and give Texas Tech another left-handed batting option ... four-year letterwinner at Angleton H.S. ... lead Angleton to the regional semi-finals in 2014 ... a three-time first team All-District infielder ... also honored three times on the second team All-County squad and the Academic All-District team ... has led Angleton with a .472 batting average and 61 stolen bases throughout her high school career... Plays for the Texas Aces Jacoby Gold travel team... her uncle, Rodney Steph, pitched for Texas Tech and was later drafted in the 12th round of the MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds ... uncle is tied for third all-time in Texas Tech history for career wins.
Coach Gregory on Clark: "This kid is a worker. I have watched Kenzie play for an extremely long time and love her game sense and work ethic. She is always in the right place, improves at both the plate and defense daily and will be a legit triple threat. Kenzie is excellent in the classroom and her teammates and coaches alike rave about how much of a team player she is. Kenzie Davis will be an asset to our program and we are extremely excited to have her on board!"
| KARLI HAMILTON | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Karli Hamilton | OF | L/R | Katy, Texas / Cinco RanchH.S. |
Been one of the top player for Cinco Ranch, one of the top high school programs in the state as well as in the country ... helped lead Cinco Ranch to the regional quarterfinals in 2013 ... named District 19-6A All-Academic Award winner in 2013 and 2014 ... honored as an All-Greater Houston Area selection in 2013 and an All-State honoree in 2014 ... helped Cinco Ranch record a first-place state ranking and eighth-place national ranking in 2014 ... boasted a .429 batting average with 40 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 2013 alone ... led the district in homeruns with seven as well ... plays for the Texas Aces travel team that competed in the 2012 and 2014 USA/ASA Gold Nationals.
Coach Gregory on Hamilton: "Karli is a small kid that packs a huge punch. This kid does not get cheated at the plate and goes all out on defense. She is a true competitor and believes that nothing is off the table. She will bring an incredible amount of work ethic to our outfield and I am excited to watch all of our kids get better because of her each day. Karli was born to be a Red Raider and we can't wait to have her in the Scarlet and Black."
| MAKENZI HARRIS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Makenzi Harris | RHP | R/R | Azle, Texas / Azle H.S. |
Important signee that will be looked upon in the circle immediately as a Red Raider ... four-year letterwinner at Azle H.S. ... three-time first team All-District selection ... two-time Academic All-District honoree ... named the Azle High School Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013 ... helped lead Azle to a District Championship in 2014 ... was named District Pitcher of the Year, DFW Fastpitch All-Metroplex Team and Honorable Mention All-State Pitcher in 2014 ... has a career ERA of 1.99 ... recorded 777 strikeouts and 10 homeruns through her junior year ... plays for the Black Widows Gurley travel team.
Coach Gregory on Harris: "Kenzie completed our 2015 class for us and will be vital on the mound. She has an extreme amount of poise in the circle and wants the ball anytime the game is on the line. Kenzie is an athletic pitcher that can spin the ball and play great defense. I am excited to see what Coach Locke will do with her athletic ability and watch pitches she will be able to add to her arsenal. I believe the sky is the limit with her."
| JESSICA HARTWELL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Hartwell | INF | R/R | Galt, Calif. / Liberty Ranch H.S. |
Talented prospect out of the state of California ... plays for the California Breeze travel team ... has a .504 batting average with 32 RBI and 11 homeruns during tenure with the Breeze ... recorded 38 stolen bases during that span as well ... chose not to compete for Liberty Ranch H.S. to focus on travel ball ... competed in soccer for her high school.
Coach Gregory on Hartwell: "Jessica is our signee outside the state of Texas. She actually told her parents she wanted to come on her visit by herself to see what it was like. This kid is mentally and physically a competitor. She has great athletic build, moves and reads the ball very well and possesses vital vocal leadership. I believe she will bring a strong presence to our infield and a versatile skill set. I can see her plugged into various infield positions and being very successful at that. She will be warmly welcomed to the great state of Texas."
| ANNELISE OSWALT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Annelise Oswalt | INF/OF | R/R | Flower Mound, Texas / Flower Mound H.S. |
One of the top players hailing from the state of Texas ... brings consistency at the plate and versitality on defense ... will looked at for spots in both the infield and outfield ... lead the Flower Mound Jaguars to the 5A state quarterfinals in 2014 ... named the 2012 District 8-5A Newcomer of the Year and the 2012 Vype Magazine Newcomer of the Year ... Two-time district and team MVP ... selected for the Dallas Morning News 2014 All-Area Softball first team ... recorded a .505 batting average and 18-4 pitching record through three years at Flower Mound ... plays for the Texas Glory Gold Shelton travel team that placed second at the 2013 Triple Crown Nationals and won the 2014 Colorado Fireworks Tournament.
Coach Gregory on Oswalt: "Annelise was the first kid that called right after the coaching change was announced. She absolutely loves Texas Tech and bleeds Red and Black. Annelise possesses a great stature and takes her hacks at the plate. She is a bit raw at first base but with her size and athleticism, it will be a seamless transition for her. Annelise has a vibrant personality, knows no strangers and will bring a lighthearted joy to our team."
| KIANI RAMSEY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiani Ramsey | OF | L/L | Portland, Texas / Portland H.S. |
Another one of the top players in the state of Texas ... started on varsity as a freshman at John Paul II H.S. ... moved to Portland High School at the start of her sophomore year where she's started the past two seasons ... named first team All-District and All-State as a freshman ... honored on the 2012 Caller Times first team All-South Texas team as a utility player ... selected for the 2013 and 2014 Caller Times first team All-South Texas team as an outfielder... named the 2013 and 2014 District 30-4A Offensive Player of the Year ... compiled a .575 batting average with five homeruns, 70 RBI and 81 stolen bases through two years at Portland H.S. ... plays for one of the best travel teams in Texas and the nation in Impact Gold-Jackson.
Coach Gregory on Ramsey: "Kiani is a little grit ball. I absolutely love watching this kid play. She is always the dirtiest kid leaving the ball park. Kiani is a true triple threat, creating havoc on the base paths and will run through a wall at any time. I can't wait for this kid to get on campus, work with Coach McDonald and get better and better each day. I am so excited to be her coach and see what her college career withholds. Kiani is also a little social butterfly. I believe she will be a needed glue that will keep both her class and our team together and in the right spirits."
| KIANA WORKMAN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiana Workman | C/INF | R/R | Tomball, Texas / Tomball H.S. |
Talented prospect who will even further add to Texas Tech's depth behind the plate and in the infield ... four-year letterwinner and starter at Tomball H.S. ... helped to lead Tomball to an area championship as a freshman ... named to the first team All-District as a shortstop her sophomore year ... helped lead the team to consecutive Bi-District Championships in 2013 and 2014 ... led the team in runs scored and was second on the team in home runs and extra base hits her junior year... named one of the top Houston Area players by Vype Magazine ... catches and plays shortstop for the Texas Peppers travel team.
Coach Gregory on Workman: "Kiana is an extremely athletic and versatile player. She plays multiple positions for both her high school and travel programs and doesn't skip a beat. She is incredibly put together both on the softball field and off. She is a fierce competitor with herself and strives to be at her best each and every day. I believe she will be very successful in the Big 12 and I look forward to what her career unfolds."
