Softball Inks Six During Early Signing Period

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech head softball coach Adrian Gregory announced Thursday the receipt of National Letters of Intent from six high school seniors during the NLI early signing period.

Committing to the Red Raiders for the 2021 season were:
Kennedy Crites – C/UTL | R/R | 5'7" | V.R. Eaton HS | Haslet, Texas
Jacee Hamlin – UTL | R/R | 5'4" | The Colony HS | The Colony, Texas
Riley Love – INF | R/R | 5'9" | Keller HS | Keller, Texas
Abbie Orrick – INF/UTL | R/R | 5'7" | Martin's Mill HS | Edgewood, Texas
Arriana Villa – INF | R/L | 5'9" | Brandeis HS | San Antonio, Texas
Rawnie Weststrate – RHP | R/L | 6'0" | Sands Secondary HS | Delta, British Columbia, Canada

"We are fired up about this extremely versatile 2020 signing class," Gregory exclaimed. "It is a very well-rounded class that will bring speed, explosiveness, offensive production and a strong presence in the circle! We believe this class will make an immediate impact on our roster."

Kennedy Crites
– C/UTL · R/R · 5'7" · V.R. Eaton HS · Haslet, Texas –

A dual-sport athlete, Crites is about to enter her senior season at V.R. Eaton High School with an already impressive resume. As a freshman in 2017, Crites led her 25-7 squad to the Texas 5A regional quarterfinals. She was awarded District 6-5A Newcomer of the Year honors to go along with her All-District, team Defensive MVP and Eagle Heart Award laurels. Crites led the Eagles to the regional semifinals as a sophomore in 2018 and earned the second All-District nod of her career. Last season, she propelled her team to an impressive 34-4 record as well as a strong showing at the regional finals. For her efforts, Crites was named the District 5-6A Utility Player of the Year and was a member of the All-District First Team and All-Metroplex Team. A member of the Impact Gold Middlebrook organization, Crites has helped her squad to a No. 7 national ranking and a top-five finish at PFG Premier and IDT. In addition to her efforts on the field, Crites is also a skilled basketball player who holds numerous school records. Crites, a four-year starter on the hardwood, holds the V.R. Eaton school record in three-point field golds, career three-point field goals, career three-point field goal percentage, career points, single-season steals and career steals. Crites earned the 2017 Rising Eagle Award for her work on in the gym and she was named the 2019 team MVP.

Born on June 14, 2002, Crites is the daughter of Wendi and Todd Crites and she has two brothers, Justin (34) and Jacob (31). Working just as hard in the classroom, Crites received Academic All-District honors for both softball and basketball as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

COACH GREGORY ON CRITES: "Kennedy is a solid defensive catcher with an extremely strong arm! I remember the first time watching her play, she threw out three runners while picking a player off at first base. It definitely got my attention! Kennedy works hard each and every day and I'm excited to see how she will continue to grow in our system."

Jacee Hamlin
– UTL · R/R · 5'4" · The Colony HS · The Colony, Texas –

Looking to get to the Texas State Tournament for a third time, Hamlin will join Tech after a stellar career at The Colony High School. A three-time All-State honoree, Hamlin led her squad to a state championship as a freshman in 2017. Two seasons later, she led the Cougars back to the state tournament and she finished her junior season as the 2019 runner-up. Leading The Colony in RBI's and stolen bases, Hamlin has raked in All-State, All-State Catcher, Academic All-District and All-District First-Team honors in each of her three years on the varsity squad. A multi-sport athlete, Hamlin has also participated in volleyball and track.

Born on Jan. 20, 2002, Hamlin is the daughter of Dena and Billy Ty Hamlin and she has one sister, Taylor (29). Jacee is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a Kindness Ambassador and has assisted in multiple community service events.

COACH GREGORY ON HAMLIN: Jacee is an explosive outfielder that will add definite power to our squad. She is a super athletic kid that can flat out run. I love her competitiveness and remember her and DeSario being so mad when one would beat the other in base running competitions at camp! Jacee plays the game very aggressively and will be a threat on both sides of the ball."

Riley Love
– INF · R/R · 5'9" · Keller HS · Keller, Texas –

No stranger to the Texas 6A State Tournament, Love commits to Texas Tech as a three-year letterwinner at Keller High School. With one season left to go, Love ranks second in the Keller record book in single-season home runs with eight in 2019. Additionally, she is the school record holder for most career hit-by-pitches. Named the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, Love kicked off her freshman campaign with a state championship where she led her squad to a 35-6-1. As a sophomore, Love impressed once again and was named a member of the DFW All-Metroplex, 3-6A Academic All-District and All-District first teams. Her squad claimed Texas 6A Regional Semi-Final Champion status before ending the season on a 31-3-1 note. Before guiding the Keller Indians back to the Texas 6A State Tournament in 2019, she led her team to an undefeated district title. Her Indians finished third in the state and ended the season with a 35-2-1 overall record. Love's accolades continued as she was named the District 5-6A Infielder of the Year and an NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete in addition to being named to the District 5-6A Academic All-District, DFW All-Metroplex, NFCA All-Area, Star-Telegram All-Area and TSWA 6A All-State teams. A member of the Texas Glory organization, Love's squad ranked No. 5 in the Final FAB 50 End of Season 18U Club Rankings and No. 11 in the Extra Elite Eighty 18U Club Rankings. Individually, she ranks No. 79 in the Extra Innings Softball Extra Elite Class of 2020 and No. 99 in FloSoftball's Hot 100 Class of 2020.

Born on Feb. 14, 2002, Love is the daughter of Jennifer and Todd Love and she has one sister, Ramsey (15). In addition to her work on the field, Love is a member of the Student Council, Principals Counsel, Hope Squad and Athletic Training Club. Her father, Todd, played baseball at Brookhaven Junior College.

COACH GREGORY ON LOVE: "Riley is a shortstop/third baseman that makes many defensive plays look easy! She has very smooth hands and has high field awareness while on the dirt. I have seen her play on big stages and she is always extremely poised and ready for the challenge. I'm really excited to get to work with her daily and see where her career takes her in the Red and Black!"

Abbie Orrick
– INF/UTL · R/R · 5'7" · Martin's Mill HS · Edgewood, Texas –

A standout athlete at Martin's Mill High School, Orrick is no stranger to success on the field or on the basketball court. She has been a three-time All-State selection for the Mustangs, picking up the accolade in each of her three seasons on the field. As a freshman in 2017, Orrick led Martin's Mill to the Bi-District, Area, Regional Quarterfinals and the Regional Semifinals. She powered the Mustangs to the Regional Semifinals once again as a sophomore in 2018 and pushed the Mustangs to the Area playoff round as a junior in 2019. On the court, Orrick is a two-time state champion for the Martin Mill's basketball team. She was named the Newcomer of the year as a freshman and has received Texas 2A All-State distinction in each of her three campaigns. After leading the Mustangs to a State Championship title as a sophomore, Orrick was named the State Championship MVP. Additionally, she was honored as a member of the All-State Tournament team in each of her first three seasons. Orrick is also skilled on the track and is a regional track qualifier, as well as a two-time regional semi-finalist.

Born on Feb. 7, 2002, Orrick is the daughter of Stacey and Nate Orrick and she has one sister, Allie (25). Orrick is a member of the National Honor Society, NSHSS, gifted and talented program, robotics club and is also a little dribblers coach.

COACH GREGORY ON ORRICK: "Abbie is an intensely competitive athlete that hates to lose and it shows in how she plays! She is a multi-sport athlete out of high school that will add an aggressive mindset both in the box and on the base paths. I have seen her stretch many base hits into doubles or doubles into triples. She will fit right in with our style of play and how we attack each game!"

Arriana Villa
– INF · R/L · 5'9" · Brandeis HS · San Antonio, Texas –

Another dual-sport athlete, Villa is set to join the Red Raiders in 2020 after a strong prep career at Brandeis High School. Villa picked up First-Team All-District honors as a sophomore in 2018 and again as a junior in 2019 after she led her squad in on-base percentage (.629), batting average (.548), home runs (5r), slugging percentage (1.054) and RBI (24). On the hardwood, she led her basketball team to the regional finals as a freshman after helping the Broncos to an outright district crown. Later as a junior, she helped Brandeis to a Bi-District title. Villa was named an All-District Second-Team selection for her freshman-year efforts and she later raked in first-team honors as a sophomore and junior.

Born on Feb. 23, 2002, Villa is the daughter of Kellie and Peter Villa and she has one brother, Nathan (22).

COACH GREGORY ON VILLA: "Pecan" as she likes to be called, is one of the most versatile players I have ever recruited. When I first watched her play, she was only at second base. Over the years, I have seen her also play outfield and third base. She is very solid at the plate and will bring athleticism to the base paths. My absolute favorite part about her though, is how much she loves to play the game!"

Rawnie Weststrate
– RHP · R/L · 6'0" · Sands Secondary HS · Delta, British Columbia, Canada –

The lone pitcher in Gregory's signing class, Westrate is set to join the Red Raiders as the first Canadian in program history. The right-handed hurler is a current member of the Canadian Junior National Team and was named the Delta Hall of Fame Youth Sports Champion of the Year in 2019. She led her club team to Provincial gold medals as a freshman in 2017 and a junior in 2019 and her squad also took home the USSSA Western National title. Between those years, she guided her club to a bronze finish at the 2018 Provincial tournament. Thanks to her efforts in the circle, her squad was named the Softball British Columbia Minor Team of the Year in 2017.

Born on July 28, 2002, Weststrate is the daughter of Jodie and Jason Weststrate and she has one sibling, Jessie (18). Her relative, Marcus Thames, played in the MLB and is a coach for the New York Yankees. Weststrate is a recipient of the Delta Rotary Award for her community service efforts in 2016.

COACH GREGORY ON WESTSTRATE: "Rawnie is a solid addition to our pitching staff as well as, our very first Canadian! She currently throws for her Junior National team and does not back down from any opponent. I first saw her throw against a very competitive national team, with a stadium full of people in attendance and not look rattled in the least! Rawnie's international experience will bring competitiveness and depth to our current pitching staff!"

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For all the latest information on the Texas Tech softball team, visit TexasTech.com or follow @TexasTechSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Softball Inks Six During Early Signing Period

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