FHSU Sports Information Department
Fort Hays State Softball coach Adrian Mohr announced the addition of six newcomers for the 2016 season. The Tigers add four transfers and two freshmen to a roster that returns 10 players in 2016. Joining the team are Chermayne Yago, Claudia Vazquez, Ashley Beavers, Carrie Clarke, Hannah Hearld, and Madeline LaPolla.
Yago transfers to FHSU from Otero (Colo.) Junior College, where she played two seasons. She was a big threat on the basepaths with 83 stolen bases over two seasons. She set a new single-season record for stolen bases at Otero as a freshman in 2014 with 54. The outfielder tallied one more run scored than her stolen base total in two years with 84 and had a big freshman year at the plate that saw her hit .383. Yago is a native of Kapolei, Hawaii, which is located on the island of Oahu.
Vazquez transfers to FHSU from Phoenix (Ariz.) College, where she played two seasons. As a sophomore in 2015 she batted .319 with 30 runs scored, 12 RBI, and 16 stolen bases as an outfielder, helping her team to a record of 53-12 and a conference championship. Vazquez is a native of Gilbert, Ariz.
Beavers transfers to FHSU from Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, where she played two seasons. As an outfielder, she batted .308 with 20 runs scored, 12 RBI, and six stolen bases in 2015 as a sophomore. She had a tremendous year at the plate as a freshman in 2014, hitting .394 with 20 RBI and 16 runs scored. Beavers is a native of Longmont, Colo.
Clarke is transferring to FHSU from Black Hills State University in South Dakota. She saw time in the pitching circle last year, logging 39 innings with 18 strikeouts, and had limited appearances as a hitter at the plate.The Erie, Colo., native adds depth to the roster as a utility player and pitcher.
Hearld is a hometown product from Hays High School. She was one of the top players in Kansas Class 5A, but was only able to compete during her freshman and junior seasons due to injuries sustained as a sophomore and senior. She was the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a junior and earned all-state honors in her prep career. She finished with a career batting average of .570 and posted a record of 29-4 with a 1.97 ERA and 255 strikeouts in her career as a pitcher.
LaPolla, a native of Parker, Colo., attended Chaparral High School. As a senior she earned all-state honorable mention honors and an all-league first team selection, while batting .490 with 26 runs scored and 17 RBI. She finished with a career batting average of .410 in high school and has the ability to play the infield, outfield, and catch.