Softball Signs Six For 2016-17 Season
November 03, 2015 | Softball
SEATTLE -- Head coach Heather Tarr and the University of Washington softball team announced the signing of six standout student-athletes who will continue their careers as Huskies next fall. The group consists of Nicole Bates (Ceres, Calif./Ceres), Gianna Carideo (Knoxville, Tenn./Knoxville Catholic), Maggie Gallagher (Seattle, Wash./Kennedy Catholic), Kaija Gibson (Redmond, Wash./Redmond), Sam Manti (Chula Vista, Calif./Eastlake) and Alyssa Simons (Snohomish, Wash./Snohomish).
A versatile class that features both speed and power at multiple positions, Tarr and her staff traversed the country to bring in another group of superior talent, featuring a class of local flare familiar to the area, while also visiting spots like California and Tennessee.
"What stands out most to me about this signing class is the level of athleticism these women possess combined with their academic potential," said Tarr. "Each of these student-athletes compete at the highest level on both stages. They will fit into the campus culture at the University of Washington at the same time, they will help us on the field as we continue to pursue our second National Championship."
Nicole (Sis) Bates
Ceres, Calif.
Ceres High School
A talented multi-sport athlete, Bates is a triple threat lefty who will bring a load of athleticism and a high softball IQ to Seattle from Ceres, Calif. Bates, who plays for one of the best travel ball teams in the country, Firecrackers-Rico, also finds time to be a standout student, softball and basketball player at Ceres High School. Following her junior campaign, she was named first team all-state and all-district, hitting .518 with a .567 on-base percentage, 59 hits and 27 RBI. Bates slugged .842 on the strength of three home runs, 14 doubles and seven triples. She also swiped 14 bases and scored 51 runs. As a sophomore, Bates was named first team all-district and earned all-league as a freshman. FloSoftball rated her at No. 10 overall in the 2016 Hot 100.
"Playing softball for the University of Washington has always been a childhood dream of mine," said Bates. "Ultimately, competing at the highest level and furthering my education at the school of my dreams is the reason why I chose Washington."
Gianna Carideo
Knoxville, Tenn.
Knoxville Catholic High School
Carideo is a powerful right-handed hitter who will provide great leadership skills and added depth behind the dish. Hailing from Knoxville, Tenn., Carideo's catching instructor was Washington's assistant coach Ashley Andrews, who graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2008. Carideo played for the South Tampa Little League team that won the Little League World Series in Seattle.
"I chose the University of Washington for its combination of a top-notch education and highly competitive softball program," said Carideo. "After leaving the UW for the first time, I knew that the opportunity to play at such a prestigious school was something that I could not pass up."
Maggie Gallagher
Seattle, Wash.
Kennedy Catholic High School
Raised in Seattle, Gallagher will stay home to continue her academic and softball career at Washington after a stellar prep career at Kennedy Catholic High School. The back-to-back Seamount League MVP owned a .719 batting average along with 42 runs scored and 34 RBI in her junior campaign. The speedy lefty helped the Lancers to a league title and was named to the MaxPreps 2015 Small Schools All-American team. She was twice named to the Seattle Times All-Area team and first team all-conference each season. As a sophomore, Gallagher batted better than .800 for most of the season and finished at .695 with a .760 on-base percentage and 1.373 slugging percentage (including 11 home runs). She scored 40 runs and drove in 47 (in 59 at bats), striking out just twice. Gallagher plays travel ball for the Northwest Bullets coached by Tony Campos and Dennis Mear.
"I chose the University of Washington because it is ranked in the top 15 in academics and top 10 in softball," said Gallagher. "Washington is the best place to get my degree and play Pac-12 softball. I believe Coach Tarr is an amazing coach and role model for college athletes."
Kaija Gibson
Redmond, Wash.
Redmond High School
A product from Coach Tarr's hometown of Redmond, Wash., Gibson, who was a bat girl for the Huskies in 2008, will continue wearing the Purple and Gold as she continues her academic and playing career at Washington. An outfielder whose work ethic and talent landed her a spot on the Firecrackers coached by Tony Rico, is a triple threat at the plate. Batting from the left side, Gibson was named the 2014 KingCo 4A MVP after putting up impressive numbers at Redmond High School: .574 batting average, 1.393 slugging percentage, 21 steals, 38 runs and 35 RBI. Gibson was also named to the Seattle Times All-Area Team.
“I have wanted to play Husky softball since I was eight years old," said Gibson. "It has been a dream ever since I was a little girl to put on a Husky uniform and compete at the highest level. The team attains a family atmosphere that I can't wait to be a part of. I am excited to compete for a national championship at the school of my dreams with the greatest people and athletes out there! Go Dawgs!”
Sam Manti
Chula Vista, Calif.
Eastlake High School
Manti is a right-handed power pitcher who last season, limited opponents to a .158 batting average while compiling a 1.76 ERA and striking out 191 in 123.1 innings. A member of one of the best travel ball teams in the country, the Corona Angels, she helped the 16U squad to a third place finish at PGF Nationals going 3-1 with a save and 1.12 ERA. Manti has twice been named to the first team All-Mesa League. In three seasons at Chula Vista, she has shown dominance in the circle, tossing 466 strikeouts in 366.2 innings while compiling an ERA of 1.89. FloSoftball rated her at No. 27 overall in the 2016 Hot 100. Academically, Manti earned All-Academic San Diego.
“I have followed Washington's softball program since I was a young player," said Manti. "As I got older I realized Washington not only had a great softball program, but it also had an amazing academic program. I decided I would love to continue my education and softball career at the UW."
Alyssa Simons
Snohomish, Wash.
Snohomish High School
Hailing from Snohomish, Wash., Simons is a right-handed pitcher and outfielder who also shows promise at the plate. A power hitter from the right side, Simons' speed will rival some of Washington's fastest players. She was named to the Herald's All-Area team as a sophomore after going 10-0 as the No. 2 pitcher for Snohomish and also hit .443 with four triples and four home runs.
"The University of Washington is everything that I wanted in a school," said Simons. "It has always been my dream to play softball at this level. The academics are outstanding, and so is the softball program. It will push me to be a better athlete and a better student."
For all of the latest news and information on Husky softball, fans can follow the program on its social media outlets at www.facebook.com/UWHuskySoftball along with @uwsoftball on Twitter and Instagram.
