Photo by: Will Navarro
CSUN Softball Preview Part 1-The Newcomers
2/7/2022 12:13:00 PM | Softball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—The CSUN Softball team begins its second season under the tutelage of Charlotte Morgan on Feb. 10 at No. 3 UCLA. As the Matadors get ready to open the 2022 campaign, let's look at the 14 newcomers as the season is getting ready to get underway.
Allie Gardiner, P, Gr., Yorba Linda, Calif./UT Arlington
Gardiner was the closer for UT Arlington where she posted 15 saves during her stint with the Mavericks and was eighth in Division I in the category during her freshman season.
"Allie is a grad transfer from UT Arlington where I was her pitching coach during her freshman year," Morgan said. "She has one of the toughest mindsets I have seen in a pitcher. Allie can go in and get her job done in any situation. She doesn't get too high or too low and brings experience to our pitching staff. It was finally great to get her here during the 2022 semester break and have her work in the bullpen again. She is from California, so it is exciting for her to finish her career in her home state."
Kennedi Sorensen, C, Gr., Valencia, Calif./UC Riverside
Sorensen comes to CSUN from UC Riverside where she led the Highlanders in RBI (16), doubles (11), and total bases (43) in 2021. Sorensen played for two seasons with UCR after beginning her collegiate career at NM State.
"Kennedi is a leader on and off the field," said Morgan. "She has come in and has learned how our program works and the way we coach very quickly. Over the Fall I saw her grow so much not just on the field but mentally and maturity. We couldn't be more excited to have her knowledge and experience behind the plate and at the plate. She does a great job getting to know each pitcher on the staff and every day trying to get better and has a go-getter mindset! Kennedi and Allie were both huge gets for us in the circle and behind the plate."
Mia Stankiewicz, R-So., Gilbert, Ariz./South Mountain CC
Stankiewicz arguably had one of the best seasons at any level of softball in 2021. She hit .575 with 58 runs scored, 18 doubles, five triples, 18 home runs, 67 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 23 walks for South Mountain CC. Stankiewicz was the national junior college leader in on-base (.650) and slugging percentage (1.294) a year ago. As a result of her 2021 performances, she was named first team NJCAA first team All-American, All-Conference, and All-Region. Her father Andy played in the Major Leagues and is the head baseball coach at Grand Canyon. All her siblings (two brothers and one sister) played baseball or softball at the Division I level.
"Mia brings countless energy and talk to the field from the moment she stepped on campus," Morgan said. "She will play either second base or shortstop for us. It has been an adjustment for her to this level from junior college, but she has taken it head-on and can see her growing every day. She comes from a rich baseball/softball family, and you can tell by the way she plays the game and talks it."
Alexis Garcia, Fr., San Dimas, Calif./San Dimas HS
A 2021 graduate of San Dimas High School, Garcia earned All-League honors as a freshman and as a sophomore. She was named second-team San Gabriel Valley Tribune All-Area. She joins her sister Sami as a member of the CSUN squad.
"Alexis was our best overall team offensive player this Fall. She is the epitome of what a Matador is. She is a great teammate, works hard in the classroom, shows up to the field, and gives her all every day. Alexis has started to communicate and talk more and come out of her shell. She also comes from a rich softball background, and you can tell by the way you can talk to the game with her. She reads defenses and knows how to get her job done. We as a staff are so proud of where she has come from on the first day of fall. She will be playing either first or second base for us this season."
Alexis Martinez, P, Fr., Phillips Ranch, Calif./Diamond Bar HS
A 2021 graduate of Diamond Bar High School, Martinez was selected honorable mention All-League and team Rookie of the Year as a freshman, and first-team All-League and as a Top 50 pitcher in the San Gabriel Valley Southern Section as a sophomore after leading the Hacienda League in strikeouts with 106.
"Alexis adds depth to our pitching staff," Morgan said. "She had a huge turning point towards the end of Fall, and she has been performing and operating at a different level. I challenged her in a few things, and she took them and came back from break in a great place."
Vinessa Nunez, Fr., Moorpark, Calif./Royal HS
A 2021 graduate of Royal High School, Nunez was named the team's Best Defensive Player and second team All-League as a senior. She appeared in 61 career games for the Highlanders, scoring 24 runs and posting 21 RBI.
"Vinessa is from Simi Valley and will add depth to our infield," said Morgan. "She will play third, short, or second. She's an athlete and has a high game IQ. She comes to the field every day with a smile and leaves with a smile. Vinessa works hard and never complains. She will make your day when you look at her and can't wait to see her make some plays this year."
Kylie Galindo, Fr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Alta Loma HS
Galindo hit .434 with 10 home runs and 51 RBI before the start of her senior season at Alta Loma High School. She scored 65 runs in her first 61 prep games.
"Kylie will bring power from the left side and adds depth behind the plate," Morgan said. "Kylie is starting to talk more and adjust to each pitcher behind the plate."
Mia Cortez, Fr., West Covina, Calif./Bishop Amat HS
A 2021 graduate of Bishop Amat High School, Cortez was named first team All-League on two occasions and second team All-League as a sophomore. She hit .363 as a senior with a .675 slugging percentage.
"Mia has grown so much from the first day she stepped foot on campus," Morgan said. "She's making plays at third. Mia works hard and will play anywhere we ask without questions. Her bat is starting to come alive, and she is making adjustments quicker."
Kaylee Escutia, Fr., Simi Valley, Calif./Royal HS
A 2021 graduate of Royal High School, Escutia was named to the Division I CIF Southern Section team, All-County, MVP, and a first team All-League as a senior after hitting .475 with eight home runs and 26 RBI. She ended her prep career with a .347 batting average, 16 home runs, 51 RBI, 45 runs, a .643 slugging percentage, and a .408 on-base percentage.
"Kaylee is another one of our freshmen from Simi Valley," said Morgan. "She is a very even-tempered player who stays constant and shows up every day. Kaylee is starting to get more comfortable and start talking more. She has tremendous power at the plate and can play anywhere in the outfield. She just finds a way to get the job done."
Mikayla Carman, Fr., Huntington Beach, Calif./Huntington Beach HS
A 2021 Magna Cum Laude (over 4.0 GPA) graduate of Huntington Beach High School, Carman was named first-team All-League and Sunset League Offensive Player of the Year as a senior after hitting .475 with nine home runs and 30 RBI as a senior. She posted 25 runs scored, a .921 slugging percentage, and a .504 on-base percentage after only striking out twice during the 2021 season.
"Mikayla adds depth to our outfield and power on the right side of the box," Morgan said. "She had a great Fall and really started to find her swing in our games in the Fall. She finds a way to get her job done and she competes in the box."
Samantha Kwiatkowski, Fr., Torrance, Calif./South HS
A 2021 graduate of Torrance South High School. Kwiatkowski was named first team All-League, second team All-League and the team's Best Defensive Player during her career.
"Sam has strength that you don't see, and the ball jumps off her bat," Morgan said. "She not only adds depth behind the plate but has been working hard in the outfield."
Sydney Freijanes, Fr., Long Beach, Calif./Wilson HS
A 2021 graduate of Long Beach Wilson High School. She ended her senior year with a .489 batting average, .530 on-base percentage, and 36 RBI. She was a two-time first-team All-League selection.
"Sydney is one of the smoothest fielders I have seen and has an incredible arm," said Morgan. "She can make plays that you think she has no chance and she gets the throw off. She fields like a major league player. Sydney had a slow fall and is starting to come out of her shell this Spring and excited to see her continued growth hitting and at shortstop."
Morgan is excited about her recruiting class and looks forward to seeing what the players can do this Spring.
"Overall, we are very young but also have some good veteran transfers that will help the freshman," said Morgan. "Everyone has grown so much since they have been here and they all take the classroom just as serious as the field. We will be moving people around and every day they are competing for the starting spot. You can see we have people who can play multiple positions and we will be figuring out who fits the best together and who they will determine who wins the jobs everyday game. I am excited to see this team compete together next week."
Allie Gardiner, P, Gr., Yorba Linda, Calif./UT Arlington
Gardiner was the closer for UT Arlington where she posted 15 saves during her stint with the Mavericks and was eighth in Division I in the category during her freshman season.
"Allie is a grad transfer from UT Arlington where I was her pitching coach during her freshman year," Morgan said. "She has one of the toughest mindsets I have seen in a pitcher. Allie can go in and get her job done in any situation. She doesn't get too high or too low and brings experience to our pitching staff. It was finally great to get her here during the 2022 semester break and have her work in the bullpen again. She is from California, so it is exciting for her to finish her career in her home state."
Kennedi Sorensen, C, Gr., Valencia, Calif./UC Riverside
Sorensen comes to CSUN from UC Riverside where she led the Highlanders in RBI (16), doubles (11), and total bases (43) in 2021. Sorensen played for two seasons with UCR after beginning her collegiate career at NM State.
"Kennedi is a leader on and off the field," said Morgan. "She has come in and has learned how our program works and the way we coach very quickly. Over the Fall I saw her grow so much not just on the field but mentally and maturity. We couldn't be more excited to have her knowledge and experience behind the plate and at the plate. She does a great job getting to know each pitcher on the staff and every day trying to get better and has a go-getter mindset! Kennedi and Allie were both huge gets for us in the circle and behind the plate."
Mia Stankiewicz, R-So., Gilbert, Ariz./South Mountain CC
Stankiewicz arguably had one of the best seasons at any level of softball in 2021. She hit .575 with 58 runs scored, 18 doubles, five triples, 18 home runs, 67 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 23 walks for South Mountain CC. Stankiewicz was the national junior college leader in on-base (.650) and slugging percentage (1.294) a year ago. As a result of her 2021 performances, she was named first team NJCAA first team All-American, All-Conference, and All-Region. Her father Andy played in the Major Leagues and is the head baseball coach at Grand Canyon. All her siblings (two brothers and one sister) played baseball or softball at the Division I level.
"Mia brings countless energy and talk to the field from the moment she stepped on campus," Morgan said. "She will play either second base or shortstop for us. It has been an adjustment for her to this level from junior college, but she has taken it head-on and can see her growing every day. She comes from a rich baseball/softball family, and you can tell by the way she plays the game and talks it."
Alexis Garcia, Fr., San Dimas, Calif./San Dimas HS
A 2021 graduate of San Dimas High School, Garcia earned All-League honors as a freshman and as a sophomore. She was named second-team San Gabriel Valley Tribune All-Area. She joins her sister Sami as a member of the CSUN squad.
"Alexis was our best overall team offensive player this Fall. She is the epitome of what a Matador is. She is a great teammate, works hard in the classroom, shows up to the field, and gives her all every day. Alexis has started to communicate and talk more and come out of her shell. She also comes from a rich softball background, and you can tell by the way you can talk to the game with her. She reads defenses and knows how to get her job done. We as a staff are so proud of where she has come from on the first day of fall. She will be playing either first or second base for us this season."
Alexis Martinez, P, Fr., Phillips Ranch, Calif./Diamond Bar HS
A 2021 graduate of Diamond Bar High School, Martinez was selected honorable mention All-League and team Rookie of the Year as a freshman, and first-team All-League and as a Top 50 pitcher in the San Gabriel Valley Southern Section as a sophomore after leading the Hacienda League in strikeouts with 106.
"Alexis adds depth to our pitching staff," Morgan said. "She had a huge turning point towards the end of Fall, and she has been performing and operating at a different level. I challenged her in a few things, and she took them and came back from break in a great place."
Vinessa Nunez, Fr., Moorpark, Calif./Royal HS
A 2021 graduate of Royal High School, Nunez was named the team's Best Defensive Player and second team All-League as a senior. She appeared in 61 career games for the Highlanders, scoring 24 runs and posting 21 RBI.
"Vinessa is from Simi Valley and will add depth to our infield," said Morgan. "She will play third, short, or second. She's an athlete and has a high game IQ. She comes to the field every day with a smile and leaves with a smile. Vinessa works hard and never complains. She will make your day when you look at her and can't wait to see her make some plays this year."
Kylie Galindo, Fr., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Alta Loma HS
Galindo hit .434 with 10 home runs and 51 RBI before the start of her senior season at Alta Loma High School. She scored 65 runs in her first 61 prep games.
"Kylie will bring power from the left side and adds depth behind the plate," Morgan said. "Kylie is starting to talk more and adjust to each pitcher behind the plate."
Mia Cortez, Fr., West Covina, Calif./Bishop Amat HS
A 2021 graduate of Bishop Amat High School, Cortez was named first team All-League on two occasions and second team All-League as a sophomore. She hit .363 as a senior with a .675 slugging percentage.
"Mia has grown so much from the first day she stepped foot on campus," Morgan said. "She's making plays at third. Mia works hard and will play anywhere we ask without questions. Her bat is starting to come alive, and she is making adjustments quicker."
Kaylee Escutia, Fr., Simi Valley, Calif./Royal HS
A 2021 graduate of Royal High School, Escutia was named to the Division I CIF Southern Section team, All-County, MVP, and a first team All-League as a senior after hitting .475 with eight home runs and 26 RBI. She ended her prep career with a .347 batting average, 16 home runs, 51 RBI, 45 runs, a .643 slugging percentage, and a .408 on-base percentage.
"Kaylee is another one of our freshmen from Simi Valley," said Morgan. "She is a very even-tempered player who stays constant and shows up every day. Kaylee is starting to get more comfortable and start talking more. She has tremendous power at the plate and can play anywhere in the outfield. She just finds a way to get the job done."
Mikayla Carman, Fr., Huntington Beach, Calif./Huntington Beach HS
A 2021 Magna Cum Laude (over 4.0 GPA) graduate of Huntington Beach High School, Carman was named first-team All-League and Sunset League Offensive Player of the Year as a senior after hitting .475 with nine home runs and 30 RBI as a senior. She posted 25 runs scored, a .921 slugging percentage, and a .504 on-base percentage after only striking out twice during the 2021 season.
"Mikayla adds depth to our outfield and power on the right side of the box," Morgan said. "She had a great Fall and really started to find her swing in our games in the Fall. She finds a way to get her job done and she competes in the box."
Samantha Kwiatkowski, Fr., Torrance, Calif./South HS
A 2021 graduate of Torrance South High School. Kwiatkowski was named first team All-League, second team All-League and the team's Best Defensive Player during her career.
"Sam has strength that you don't see, and the ball jumps off her bat," Morgan said. "She not only adds depth behind the plate but has been working hard in the outfield."
Sydney Freijanes, Fr., Long Beach, Calif./Wilson HS
A 2021 graduate of Long Beach Wilson High School. She ended her senior year with a .489 batting average, .530 on-base percentage, and 36 RBI. She was a two-time first-team All-League selection.
"Sydney is one of the smoothest fielders I have seen and has an incredible arm," said Morgan. "She can make plays that you think she has no chance and she gets the throw off. She fields like a major league player. Sydney had a slow fall and is starting to come out of her shell this Spring and excited to see her continued growth hitting and at shortstop."
Morgan is excited about her recruiting class and looks forward to seeing what the players can do this Spring.
"Overall, we are very young but also have some good veteran transfers that will help the freshman," said Morgan. "Everyone has grown so much since they have been here and they all take the classroom just as serious as the field. We will be moving people around and every day they are competing for the starting spot. You can see we have people who can play multiple positions and we will be figuring out who fits the best together and who they will determine who wins the jobs everyday game. I am excited to see this team compete together next week."
~#UniteTheValley~
Players Mentioned
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