BYU softball signs five

PROVO, Utah -- BYU softball today announced its 2015-16 signing class with five official commitments including two players from California and one each from Arizona, Tennessee and Washington.

BYU head coach Gordon Eakin announced Olivia Sanchez (P/1B), Courtney Kelly (1B/3B/OF), Emilee Erickson (Middle Infielder/C), Libby Sugg (C/3B/1B) and Lexi Tarrow (OF) all signed National Letters of Intent in the November signing period.

Olivia Sanchez
5-7 | P/1B | Murrieta Valley High School | Murrieta, California

As a right-handed pitcher and power hitter, Olivia Sanchez has assembled a strong resume. From the pitcher’s circle she has a 1.58 ERA and a 24-11 record. At the plate in 2014 she added 28 RBI while hitting .360 with six doubles, a triple and eight home runs. Her high school team was back-to-back league champions in 2013 and 2014 while she earned offensive player of the year in 2013 and all-league first-team honors in 2012 and 2014. She was also the 2012 rookie of the year and on the Michelle Carew All-Tournament Team in 2013. 

She plays travel ball with O.C. United, but previously was with the Firecrackers when they were ranked No. 3 in the nation. She is the cousin of former BYU softball outfielder Monica Gonzales, who played from 2006-09.

Eakin on Sanchez: "We look forward to Olivia adding strength to our pitching staff. She has excellent control and good movement that will be very effective from the mound. Olivia also has a great bat. She has game-changing power."

Courtney Kelly
5-5 | 1B/3B/OF | Alhambra High School | Martinez, California

Right-handed power hitter Courtney Kelly plays first and third base for Alhambra High School and has recorded career totals of 17 home runs and 78 RBI with a .434 batting average. She has received all-league honors three years in a row while helping her team clinch the 2014 North Coast Section Division II title. She plays for the Bears 18 Gold club team.

Eakin on Kelly: "We look forward to Courtney Kelly being a versatile player for us with the ability to play first base, third base or outfield. Courtney is an excellent leader and will be a big-time Division I offensive threat in the middle of our lineup."

Emilee Erickson
5-10 | Middle Infielder/C | Sandra Day O’Connor High School | Phoenix, Arizona

Right-handed power hitter Emilee Erickson is a middle infielder and catcher at Sandra Day O’Connor High School. She came through at the plate in 2014 with a .446 batting average and 28 RBI while recording a 1.000 fielding percentage as her high school finished fourth at state. She earned second-team all-section in division I and was all-state honorable mention. In club ball she currently plays catcher, shortstop and first base for the Arizona Firecrackers Gold after playing for the Arizona Storm Gold for the previous two seasons.

Erickson will be the 21st member of her extended family to attend BYU. Her brother Brendon played for BYU baseball in 2013.

Eakin on Erickson: "Emilee is an excellent utility player with exceptional defensive skills. She can help our team not only behind the plate as catcher but also in the middle infield. Emilee is a great athlete and will make a positive contribution to our team."

Libby Sugg
5-8 | C/3B/1B | Franklin High School | Franklin, Tennessee

A right-handed power hitter, Libby Sugg adds depth to catcher, third base and first base. She batted .534 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI as her high school advanced to the AAA sectionals in 2014. Sugg was named to the 2014 Tennessee Softball Coaches Association All-State First Team and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Team in 2013 and 2014. She has a career .530 average, with 37 home runs, 137 RBI and a .705 on-base percentage including 97 walks over her three high school seasons.

She plays club ball for the Birmingham Thunderbolts, but previously played
for Tennessee Fury 97, winning two ASA/USA National Championships–one with the 14U-A team in 2012 and the other with 16 Gold in 2014. She will be only the second Cougar softball player to come out of Tennessee.

Eakin on Libby: "Libby is a tremendous defensive catcher who can also contribute defensively from the corners. She is a student of the game and makes great adjustments at the plate offensively. We believe Libby will be a game-changer offensively and has All-American type offensive abilities."

Lexi Tarrow
5-9 | OF | A.G. West Black Hills High School | Olympia, Washington

Tarrow is a lefty speed player who can bunt, slap and hit the long ball. She is a two-year all-area and all-league player in the 2A Evergreen Conference. At Black Hills High School in Tumwater, Washington, she was the most valuable player on the team in 2014 and has earned three-consecutive team batting awards over the past three seasons, hitting .677, .600 and .508, respectively.

She also plays for the Washington Explosion 18 Gold team and traveled to Oklahoma this past summer as the team competed in nationals.

Eakin on Tarrow: "Lexi Tarrow will provide much needed speed in our lineup. Lexi not only has game-changing speed but also hits for power. We look for Lexi to be a catalyst in our offensive lineup."