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Softball 2022 Signing Day

Skyhawks softball inks nine for 2024

11/25/2022 4:00:00 PM

By: Hayden Mangan, Athletic Communications Assistant
DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College softball team is excited to announce the signing of nine talented individuals to join the roster in the fall of 2023.
 
"Our 2023 class is another quality class that adds quality playmakers and depth across the board," Fort Lewis College Head Coach Dwight Sanders said. "Each athlete has unique traits that will help us continue to build our program. Each player will have the opportunity to come in and compete right away. Their addition gets us closer to reaching our goals within the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference."
 
Joining the infield for the Skyhawks from Woodlands, Texas is Hailey Busshart. The three-year letter winner at Oak Ridge High School brings a talented glove to both the infield and outfield. A First-Team All-District and First-Team All-Academic honoree in 2021, Busshart had 30+ putouts last season to pair with five home runs.
 
"Hailey is a program kid that wants to be here and be a part of what we are building. She is another player with a ton of versatility and adds a big bat to our lineup. Hailey was also a standout from one of our camps and demonstrated not only how good of an athlete she is, but as a person as well. One thing that stood out about Hailey was her desire to be here and help build something great, her versatility will help us continue to build a great lineup to accomplish our goals in the RMAC."
 
From Tulsa, Oklahoma comes Natalie Rodman. Rodman, a standout at Jenks High School, looks to join the Skyhawks middle infield. The four-year letter winner is a four-time Academic All-Conference honoree, three-time All-District honoree, and a four-time Principals Honor Roll student. Additionally, Rodman was a member of the most successful season in school history as Jenks finished with a 33-7 overall record.
 
"Natalie will get the opportunity to play with her sister, Catheryn Rodman, which will be a cool experience. Natalie is a tough and gritty infielder who stays calm and collected in pressure situations. She has competed in some high-level events and played with prestigious teams that have helped sharpen her skills. One thing that stood out about Natalie was her desire to be great. We can't wait for her to bring that desire to Fort Lewis and build her own legacy in the blue and gold."
 
Heading to Durango from Yorba Linda, California is Makenna Milliman. The outfielder out of Esperanza High School gives the Skyhawks depth near the fences. A four-year letter winner at Esperanza, Milliman also earned Second-Team All-League honors and was a member of the CIF Southern Section Division I Championship team. Milliman is also a back-to-back league champion and led the team last season with six outfield assists.
 
"Makenna is an outfielder who possesses the tools to impact our program right away. She came to our camp and instantly caught our coaching staff's eye. She has one of the strongest arms I have seen in a while, and we will look forward to her utilizing it in the RMAC. One thing that stood out about Makenna is her competitiveness, she refused to lose any of the competitions we had at our camp. I can't tell you how excited I am to bring someone with that drive to our program."
 
Out of the Pacific Northwest comes Mackenzie Scott. The four-year softball letter winner also competed in volleyball and track and field. Scott joins Fort Lewis from South Salem High School in Salem, Oregon. While at SSHS, Scott was a First-Team All-League honoree, Second-Team All-State honoree, and a member of the All-Region team. Scott is also a standout in the classroom as an honor roll student.
 
"Mackenzie is a strong addition from Oregon. She is an excellent student first and a talented softball player second. Mackenzie will bring a good bat, versatility, and some speed to the program. One thing that stood out about Mackenzie was how clutch of a player she is. Whenever her team needed a big play or hit at the plate, she was the one who stepped up. You cannot coach a trait like that, and we are excited to see her do it in blue and gold for years to come."
 
Also from the Golden State comes Katelyn Kilgore. Out of Angelo Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, California. Kilgore is a dual-position talent as both a catcher and in the outfield. Kilgore owns two varsity letters in as many seasons, was a two-time Scholar-Athlete honoree, and was a member of both the Principals Honor Roll and Presidential Honor Roll. In her junior season, Kilgore posted a .412 batting average.
 
"Katelyn is a true southpaw player and comes to us as a legit triple threat. With her ability to slap, bunt, and swing it from the left side she gives us a dynamic that we don't have here yet. Her versatility allows her to play multiple positions and gives her an opportunity to contribute right away. One thing that stood out was her offensive mindset. She will bring a high IQ and cause chaos while on the bases in seasons to come."
 
Joining Fort Lewis from Tucson, Arizona comes Gianna Pancost. From Sabino High School, Pancost was a four-year letter winner and starter for the Sabercats. Named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, the all-purpose utility talent was a 3A First-Team All-Region honoree in 2022.
 
"Gianna plays for a quality organization in the Hotshots. Her presence on the field is exactly what we need. She is an athletic player that can play different positions at a high level. Her big bat is something we are excited to add to our lineup. I believe she can come in and make an impact right away. One thing that stood out about Gianna is her leadership on the diamond. I believe she can push and elevate the abilities of those around her due to her energy and leadership skills."

Heading to Fort Lewis from Pueblo, Colorado comes Jada Montoya. A strong middle infield and utility player, Montoya also brings a strong bat that is ready to bolster the Skyhawks lineup. Montoya was a three-year varsity letter winner at Pueblo South High School, amassing a .511 batting averaging in her senior season featuring 46 total hits, 30 total runs batted in, 33 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. Last season Montoya was a 2022 All-State Honorable Mention honoree, SCL First Team All-Conference honoree, and was voted the SCL Most Valuable Player. 

"This past year she was the top player in the competitive SCL conference in Southern Colorado. She was a participant in our fall camps who came and competed well. Jada's leadership and passion led her team to a birth to state this year. She adds a quality bat and game-changing speed to our program. She is another versatile athlete that will help build our roster into a championship team. I am excited to see her grow and bring that fiery passion to the blue and gold for years to come." 
 
Giovanna Hernandez is the final signee of the 2023 class coming out of Santa Rose High School in Santa, Rose, California. Hernandez was a four-year letter-winner in softball and also played one year of basketball. A 2021 All-Star honoree, Hernandez will be a strong addition to the Fort Lewis pitching staff.
 
"Giovanna is a right-handed pitcher who will give our bullpen another strong competitor in the circle and helps us get that much closer to building our ideal pitching staff. I am excited to pair her with our pitching coach and see just how good she can become. One thing that stood out about Giovanna is she played for a high-level travel organization and had success. In the circle, she does a good job of changing speeds and is an explosive athlete off the bat."
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