Softball Signs 10 for 2019

MUNCIE, Ind. - - It was another busy recruiting season for Ball State softball head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett and staff, as the Cardinals signed 10 players to national letters of intent during the 2017-18 early signing period.

"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome each and every one of our 2018 signees to the Ball State Softball family," Bartlett said. "This class is special. They are tremendous athletes and competitors. But most importantly, they come from amazing families that fit our culture and values impeccably. The future of the program is bright."

The incoming class for the 2019 season includes four players from the state of Indiana in Trinity Eckerty (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina Memorial), Justine Estes (Indianapolis, Ind./Decatur Central), Jessi Kiefor (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) and Mackenzie McCarty (Alexandria, Ind./Alexandria Monroe).

Three players from the state of Texas in Jazmyne Armendariz (El Paso, Texas/Chapin), Kim Manuel (Conroe, Texas/Oak Ridge) and Sarah Venker (Houston, Texas/Episcopal).

Two players from the state of Ohio in Amaia Daniel (Deleware, Ohio/Rutherford B. Hayes) and Faith Hensley (Monroe, Ohio/Monroe). As well as one player from the state of Illinois in Tieghan Morio (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah).

Below is more information on each of Ball State's 10 signees for the 2019 season.

Name                                     Position Hometown (High School)
Jazmyne Armendariz             Catcher/Utility                          El Paso, Texas (Chapin High School)

BARTLETT ON ARMENDARIZ: Jaz is an intense competitor. She has great swag and leadership ability. She hits for power and will compete for multiple positions on the field. While catching is her specialty, she is a very good middle infielder as well.

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a three-year letterwinner in softball at Chapin High School for coach Kevin Mills … named first team All-State after compiling a .630 batting average with 11 home runs, 89 RBI and 65 runs scored her junior year … also collected 29 doubles and a pair of triples as a junior, while finishing the season with a 1.852 OPS … her 89 RBI as a junior tied the school record, ranked first in the state of Texas for a junior in 2017 and ranked second nationally for a junior in 2017 according to MaxPreps.com … three-time first team All-District honoree, while also being named the District MVP as a junior and the District Defensive MVP as a freshman … inducted into the El Paso Fastpitch Hall of Game and was named El Paso Ms. Softball 5A Player of the Year as a junior … helped guide the Huskies to three straight district championships, three straight bi-district championships and two area championships (2015 & 2017) … team also won the Regional Quarterfinal and Regional Semifinal her junior year, while being one of the last eight teams in the Texas 5A State Playoffs … finished her sophomore campaign with a .486 batting average, belting three home runs while adding 32 RBI and 43 runs scored … batted .491 as a freshman, with four home runs, 39 RBI and 49 rings scored

CLUB: Will have played four seasons of club softball for the Wichita Mustangs prior to enrolling at Ball State for the 2018 fall semester.

WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because the coaches are fully invested in making me not only the best player I can be, but also making me the best person I can be by the time I graduate. They are committed to guiding me towards my full potential in every aspect. The winning mentality and warm hospitality of Ball State was the icing on the cake.

Name                                        Position Hometown (High School)
Amaia Daniel                            Utility                                           Delaware, Ohio (Rutherford B. Hayes High School)

BARTLETT ON DANIEL: Amaia is a gritty ball player with a big bat. She's smooth, quick and explosive. She is versatile and will be a great culture kid for us. Amaia was the first player in this class to commit and buy into the vision. That means the world!

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a three-year letterwinner in softball at Rutherford B. Hayes High School for coach Mark Thomas … two-time first team All-Ohio Capital Conference and two-time first team all-district honoree … team captain as a junior … team Offensive MVP as a freshman and junior, while earning team Defensive MVP as a sophomore … finished her junior campaign with a .562 batting average, compiling five home runs, two triples and 13 doubles over 67 at bats … also drove in 35 RBI and scored 30 runs as a junior … batted .575 as a sophomore, belting five home runs, four triples and 16 doubles in 87 at bats … also tallied 50 RBI and scored 42 runs as a sophomore … hit .426 as a freshman with one triple and eight doubles over 68 at bats … also drove in 20 RBI and scored 17 runs her freshman year.

CLUB: Has played two seasons of club ball for the Lady Laser Orange.

WHY BALL STATE: I choose Ball State because the campus was beautiful and the coaches were extremely welcoming, which made it an easy decision to further my academic and athletic career at Ball State.

Name Position Hometown (High School)
Trinity Eckerty                          Shortstop                                   Indianapolis, Ind. (Scecina Memorial High School)

BARTLETT ON ECKERTY: Trinity has all the makings of an elite hitter at this level. She has great hands and is extremely powerful for her size. Any time you have a kid that can give you that level of offensive production in the middle infield, that's special.

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a three-year letterwinner in softball at Scecina Memorial High School for coach Cory Grey … helped guide the Crusaders to a state championship her junior year, including a 2-for-4 effort with two doubles and a pair of RBI in the IHSAA Class 2A State Championship Game versus Elwood … helped Scecina Memorial earn back-to-back sectional and regional championship as a sophomore and junior … named first team all-state and all-conference as a junior after batting .454 with 11 home runs, four triples and 14 doubles over 97 at bats … also drove in 48 RBI and scored 32 runs her junior year … batted .400 with 10 home runs as a sophomore … will serve as team captain her senior year … has also been named all-city, athlete of the week and athlete of the month over her career … also earned two letters in basketball at Scecina Memorial and served as team captain as a junior and senior.

CLUB: Has played club ball for the Indiana Prospects.

WHY BALL STATE: I choose Ball State because it was the home away from home that I was looking for in a college. I fell in love with the beautiful campus and the wonderful people there. I love the softball players and coaches, and I can't wait to attend Ball State next fall.

Name Position Hometown (High School)
Justine Estes                             Outfielder                                  Indianapolis, Ind. (Decatur Central High School)

BARTLETT ON ESTES: Justine is an all-around complete player. She's a very good defender. She gets great reads in the outfield and has a big arm. She's a super strong kid. When she gets ahold of the ball, it goes!

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a three-year letterwinner in softball at Decatur Central High School for coach Don Ivey … two-time first team All-Mid-State Conference and first team all-country honoree … team captain as a junior and senior … has helped guide the Hawks to three sectional titles and a regional championship her freshman season ... drove in the game-winning run in the regional championship game her freshman campaign and finished the season with .300 batting average, seven RBI, a double and four triples … also led the team with 18 stolen bases in her debut season … hit .303 as a junior, including five home runs … played in 31 games as a junior, adding six doubles, a triple and 22 RBI … batted .320 as a sophomore, with eight doubles, three triples and 12 RBI over 30 games … also earned three letters in cheerleading and one letter in diving for Decatur Central.

CLUB: Has played four seasons of club ball for the Indiana Prospects.

WHY BALL STATE: I choose Ball State because its size was a perfect fit for me and it's not too far away from my home.

Name Position Hometown (High School)
Faith Hensley                           Outfielder                                  Monroe, Ohio (Monroe High School)

BARTLETT ON HENSLEY: Faith is going to surprise people. She has a tremendous amount of athletic ability and continues to get better by leaps and bounds. Her journey has been really fun to watch! She's a dynamic lefty triple threat that can swing it for good power.

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a three-year letterwinner in softball at Monroe High School for coach Tim Kellis … named second team all-state as a junior after boasting a .573 batting average over 26 games with 10 home runs and 42 RBI … honorable mention all-state as a freshman and sophomore … three-time first team All-Southwestern Buckeye League selection … also named the SWBL Player of the Year as a freshman and a junior … three-time first-team all-district, all-metro and all-Cincinnati Enquirer … produced a .571 batting average as a sophomore, blasting four home runs and 11 doubles over 63 at bats … hit .529 as a freshman with 14 doubles in 85 at bats on the year … helped guide the Fighting Hornets to SWBL Championships in as a freshman and junior.

CLUB: Has played two seasons of club ball for the Beverly Bandits … helped guide her 2017 squad to a PGF 16U National Championship and a TC/USA 16U National Championship.

WHY BALL STATE: I choose Ball State because it is the perfect size and distance from home for me. The school is beautiful and everybody I know who goes here loves it. Everything about Ball State feels very inviting and like home to me.

Name                                          Position Hometown (High School)
Jessi Kiefor                                 Outfielder                                  Schererville, Ind. (Lake Central High School)

BARTLETT ON KIEFOR: Jessi fits our culture perfectly. She is a person who expects and achieves excellence in every area of her life. She's an elite level hitter, an Honors College admittee and very close to her family. Jessi is going to be a tremendous addition in every aspect.

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a two-year letterwinner in softball at Lake Central High School for coach Jeff Sherman … named all-conference as a junior after batting .324 with 17 RBI and 28 runs scored … also named second team all-area, The Times Athlete of the Week and The Times Athlete of the Month as a junior.

CLUB: Has played club softball for the New Lenox Lightning … finished seventh at the 2017 16U PGF Premier Nationals.

WHY BALL STATE: I choose Ball State because the campus is the perfect size and I am close to home, but far enough away to feel independent.

Name                                       Position Hometown (High School)
Kim Manuel                              Outfielder                                  Conroe, Texas (Oak Ridge High School)

BARTLETT ON MANUEL: Kim is a fiery competitor with an intense work ethic. It shines through in everything she does. She's a dynamic slapper and baserunner with elite level speed. She is also an exceptional outfielder with crazy range. We expect her to make an immediate impact.

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a three-year letterwinner in softball at Oak Ridge High School for coach Amanda Brimberry … named first team all-district and all-county as a junior after finishing the year with a .441 batting average and a .504 on base percentage … all-district honorable mention as a sophomore after batting .333 with a .413 on base percentage … three-time all-district academic honor roll honoree.

CLUB: Has played one season of club ball for the Texas Threat.

WHY BALL STATE: I choose Ball State because of the family atmosphere and the dedication of the softball coaches.

Name Position Hometown (High School)
Mackenzie McCarty              Catcher/Utility                          Alexandria, Ind. (Alexandria Monroe High School)

BARTLETT ON McCARTY: Mackenzie is a special hitter. She has tremendous bat speed. She's going to hit for average as well as power at this level. We love that she's a backyard kid. Kenzie had tons of options and we're so proud that she chose to be a Cardinal.

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a three-year letterwinner in softball at Alexandria Monroe High School for coach Sarah Almack … named first team all-state as a junior after boasting a .522 batting average with 10 home runs, two triples and 12 doubles to help guide the Tigers to a sectional championship … team captain her junior season, she also collected 36 RBI and scored 42 runs over 28 games … a three-time team MVP, she is also a three-time first team All-Central Indiana Conference honoree … she also earned second team all-state honors as a sophomore after batting .494 with four home runs, three triples and 11 doubles over 85 at bats … also drove in 25 RBI and scored 32 runs as a sophomore … finished her freshman campaign with a .453 batting average, smashing three home runs, one triple and nine doubles … also collected 28 RBI and scored 31 runs her debut season … also earned four letters in volleyball and three so far in basketball at Alexandria Monroe … team captain of her volleyball squad as a senior, she helped guide the program to three conference championships, two country titles and one sectional championship.

CLUB: Has played 10 seasons of club ball between the Indiana Prospects and the Indiana Dreams … helped guide her 14U Indiana Prospects team to a third-place finish at the Triple Crown Nationals … helped guide her 18U Indiana Dream team to a second-place finish at the Triple Crown Nationals.

WHY BALL STATE: I choose Ball State because I loved the coaching staff and their vision for the future of the program.

Name Position Hometown (High School)
Tieghan Morio                         Pitcher                                         Mascoutah, Ill. (Mascoutah High School)

BARTLETT ON MORIO: Tieghan is a physical presence. She is an incredible multisport athlete with limitless potential. We expect big things from her on the mound as she focuses solely on softball and fine tunes her skill set. Sky is the limit with this one.

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a three-year letterwinner in softball at Mascoutah High School for coach Frank Evans … named first team All-Mississippi Valley Conference as a sophomore and junior … team captain and Team Offensive Award winner the past two seasons … team MVP as a junior … made 22 appearances in the circle as a junior, compiling a 13-9 record, a 2.00 ERA and 120 strikeouts … also batted .378 as a junior with five home runs, three triples, seven doubles, 22 RBI and 26 runs scored … went 10-4 in the circle as a sophomore with a 1.77 ERA and 52 strikeouts … also batted .382 as a sophomore with eight home runs, 16 RBI and 22 runs scored … was 2-3 in the circle as a freshman, with 46 strikeouts and a 2.47 ERA in 13 appearances … also batted .304 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored as a freshman … in addition to softball, she was a two-year letterwinner in basketball and a four-year letterwinner in volleyball for Mascoutah … named first team all-conference and all-state in volleyball as a junior, after garnering honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore.

CLUB: Has played eight years of club softball for the Southern Illinois Dirt Dawgs … helped guide the Dirt Dawgs to a second-place finish in ASA Northern National Tournament, a Top 10 effort at the USFA World Series in Panama City Beach and a first-place showing at the USSSA Summer Exposure and Showcase in Gulf Shores.

WHY BALL STATE: I choose Ball State due to the opportunities it presented me both academically and athletically. Also, there is family atmosphere that encompasses the campus.

Name Position Hometown (High School)
Sarah Venker                           Pitcher                                         Houston, Texas (Episcopal High School)

BARTLETT ON VENKER: Sarah is a special athlete. She can do it all on both sides of the ball. As a pitcher, her ability to miss bats will make an immediate impact on the program. She never takes a rep off from competing.

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior season as a three-year letter winner in softball at Episcopal High School for coach Kim Randolph … a three-time All-Southwest Preparatory Conference selection, earning honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior … All-Greater Houston Second Team honoree as a junior … helped guide the Knights to SPC Championships as a freshman and a junior … pitched in 23 games her junior season, compiling a 14-1 record and a 1.98 ERA over 82.0 innings of work … struck out 131 batters, while issuing just 23 walks … also tallied a .474 batting average as a junior with eight home runs, five triples, 13 doubles and 28 RBI … as a sophomore, she pitched in 27 games, logging a 11-2 record, a pair of saves and a 1.47 ERA over 91.2 innings … she struck out 152 batters, while yielding just 14 walks … also hit .455 as a sophomore with eight home runs, two triples, 13 doubles and 28 RBI … made 22 appearances in the circle as a freshman, producing a 13-1 record with two saves … credited with a 2.24 ERA over 93.2 innings of work, while striking out 120 batters … also earned one letter and soccer and two in cheerleading at Episcopal High School.

CLUB: Has played five seasons of club softball for the Texas Intensity … helped guide her team to the Atlanta Legacy Showcase 18U Championship (2017) and a 17th-place finish at the PGF 18U Premier Nationals (2017).

WHY BALL STATE: I chose Ball State because the softball coaches and the team were friendly and welcoming. They had great chemistry on and off the field, and I feel like I am a good fit. I loved the campus when I toured, and I am so excited for the academic challenges as well.

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