soft ball | 10/11/2021 13:59:00

Minnesota Softball Coach Piper ritter unveiled its 2022 signing class on Wednesday, announcing the addition of five student-athletes.

The most recent Gophers showcase impressive individual and team accomplishments at the high school and club level.

“I am happy to announce the signings of Sydney, Jess, Breezy, Billi and Addison,” said Ritter. “Today is a special day. It is an athletic, competitive, high performing and high-character class. I really can’t wait for the opportunity to train these young women starting next fall. and help them achieve their goals both off the pitch. “

Sydney Schwartz | Pitcher / Utility | Victoria, Minnesota | Chanhassen High School
“Minnesota is my home, it’s where I wanted to be and I’m thrilled to represent my home country,” Schwartz said. “Quality education and leadership opportunities will allow me to grow as a player and as a person. Softball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. coaches, a competitive environment and a culture that I am delighted to be a part of. “

Schwartz was named the Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year last year and was named to the 2021 State team. She earned All-Area and All-Section honors in 2018, 2019 and 2021 at the Chanhassen High School and was a two-time Dean’s List Laureate. She is ranked No.54 in the 2022 Extra Innings Softball rankings and has helped her high school team win three conference championships. She played for the South Dakota Renegades (2017-18), Midwest Speed ​​(2019) and Beverly Bandits (2020-21) during her club career. His sister, Maddie, currently plays softball at the University of Wisconsin.

“Sydney is a sane pitcher who has really caught on in the last year or so,” said Ritter. “She loves the throws and is a great competitor on the mound. She’s a Minnesota product and watching her play at home will be very exciting. We are grateful that Sydney is wearing a Gopher jersey.”

Breezy Burnett | Voltigeur | Jacksonville, Florida | Christian Academy of the Trinity
“The people were amazing and ‘Minnesota nice’ is actually true. The educational opportunities match my interests and the support system is exceptional,” Burnett said. “Softball coaches are great people who can help me develop in all areas of my life. It felt perfect and I knew it was the right decision for me.”

Burnett signs as the No. 4 ranked outfielder and No. 29 player for the class of 2022, according to the National Extra Innings Top 100 ranking. She is a 2021 Florida State First Team selection and has been four times District champion with her high school team, while also winning a Class 4A State Championship in Florida in her first season. She received four letters in softball and one in cheerleading.

“Breezy will help lock in the outfield while also creating home runs,” Ritter said. “She’s fast, explosive, and will make her presence known right away in the Maroon and Gold.”

The Jacksonville, Fla. Native has been twice selected for the US Southeast Elite squad and played her club ball with the Lady Dukes Lamar Gold team (2019-21). Along with his club team, Burnett was the 2019 team captain and the team’s MVP while helping the team to finish second at the PGF Nationals in 2021. His father, Brian Burnett, played soccer in Colorado State, while his brother, Brian Burnett Jr., played football at the University of Jacksonville and played professionally in the German Football League with the Ascendia Cardinals for two years.

Billi Connell | Voltigeur | Luverne, Minnesota | Luverne High School
“The University of Minnesota has always been the school of my dreams because of the location and the educational opportunities it offers,” said Connell. “When I had the opportunity to represent my home state of Minnesota, I knew this was the best place for me to continue my next four years. When I visited campus, it was very welcoming. and I loved the idea of ​​being close to the City, but without being overwhelmed by it. ”

Connell will join the Gophers as a two-time all-state selection from Luverne, Minnesota. She helped her high school team finish their freshman season. Connell played both softball and hockey in high school and was named to the All-Conference team for four consecutive 2018-21 softball seasons.

“Billi is an athletic player who is motivated by hard work and continuous improvement,” said Ritter. “We’re thrilled to have Billi on campus and to see her soar.”

Addi (Addison) Leschber | First goal / Voltigeur | Thrall, Texas | Thrall High School
“The first time I walked onto campus, it felt like the perfect place for me,” Leschber said. “The atmosphere at the University of Minnesota is more than fantastic and the people are even better. My goal since I was little has been to win a national championship while getting a great education. I think we can. do at the University of Minnesota with the excellent coaching staff, players and the community behind us. Gophers! “

Leschber was an athlete in five sports while in high school, earning letters in volleyball, basketball, track and field, powerlifting, and softball. She has been a nine-time recipient of the Honored Academic All-District in the fields of volleyball, basketball and softball. The Thrall, Texas product won Texas Girls Coaches’ Association All-State honors in 2019 and 2021, won All-State First Team honors as a catcher in 2021, and was the Lone Star Prep Top First Basemen in 2022.

Leschber finished his junior season with 17 homers in 73 at bat with a total of 49 hits and 57 RBIs. She reached 0.687 in her junior season with an OBP of 0.775, which represents 65 points and 25 goals stolen. Leschber was named in the Extra Innings Softball Extra Elite class of 2022 for an outfielder and secured a spot on the 2020 Extra Innings summer team. She also helped her team to finish third at the 2019 World Fastpitch Championships.

“Addison is strong, powerful and balanced on the court,” said Ritter. “She brings an infectious enthusiasm to the game and to her teammates. She is someone we all need as a teammate. Addison makes everyone around her better just by being herself and we are so excited about the have as Gopher. “

Jess Oakland | Midfield infield | San José, California | Saint François High School
“I loved the atmosphere when I visited and the players and coaches are amazing,” said Oakland.

Oakland was a MAXPREPS All-American in 2021 and won Player / Athlete of the Year honors from four different publications in 2021. During his junior season, Oakland helped his high school team go undefeated with a record-breaking 26-0 and won the CCS Open Division Title. She was named the Extra Innings National Player of the Week in July 2021 and is ranked 43rd intermediate fielder by Extra Innings Rankings. Oakland is also trained in basketball, winning second-team All-WCAL honors during his career. Her mother, Dina, was a track athlete at Cal Poly, while her father, Mike, played baseball for the Colorado Rockies minor league affiliates.

“Jess is an athlete with a gold glove,” Ritter said. “She has a great instinct for the ball and has the skills to make any play that comes her way. The sky’s the limit for this young lady and we can’t wait to put her in a Minnesota uniform.”