Photo by: Darrell James
@LATechSB Adds Six During Signing Period
11/14/2019 10:36:00 AM | Softball
RUSTON, La. – Newly-named Louisiana Tech head coach Maria Winn announced Thursday that the Lady Techster softball program added six high school prep stars during the first two days of the national signing period.
The Lady Techsters are coming off a historic season that saw the program win 45 games and capture both the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles.
Tech signed infielder Kailyn "KB" Briley (Sterlington, La./Sterlington HS), infielder Tristin Court (Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall Health HS), outfielder Olivia Ellingson (Federal Way, Washington/Puyallup HS), pitcher Emma Hutchinson (Holden, La./Holden HS), and pitcher/infielder Lauren Menzina (Ruston, La./Cedar Creek HS) and infielder Gentry Spinks (Mandeville, La./Archbishop Hannan HS).
Briley is a local product from Sterlington High School. Although she missed the majority of her junior year with an injury, she batted .485 with 18 doubles, four home runs, 50 runs and 38 RBI as a sophomore.
"Kaylin is a very energetic infielder that will help provide depth for us up the middle and add power in our lineup," said Winn. "She's another local talent that we are excited to be keeping close to home and can't wait for her to join our Tech family."
She is a two-time all-state selection, a two-time all-area honoree, a two-time all-parish member by the Ouachita Citizen and two-time all-district selection.She was named team MVP as a freshman.
"I chose Tech because it feels like home, and it's a great choice academically as well," said Briley. "I really like the coaches and players, and I cannot wait to be there next year, representing such an amazing university. I'm very excited to begin this new chapter and make Ruston home."
Court can play catcher and infield for Tech. She has prepped at Rockwall Health High School in Texas where she batted .532 with seven doubles, nine home runs, 37 runs and 35 RBI as a junior.
"Tristin is an amazing athlete that provides depth for us not only behind the plate but in the infield as well," said Winn. "Her defensive abilities are next level, and she has tremendous power at plate as a hitter."
Court was named the Region 11-6A Player of the Year as a junior in Texas, the Region 11-6A Catcher of the Year as a freshman and is a three-time all-Region 11-6A selection.
"I chose Louisiana Tech because as soon as I stepped on campus it felt like home to me," said Court. "I absolutely love the atmosphere and community aspect of the University. The people in Ruston are really kind, and it is a fun place to be."
Ellingson is the lone outfielder in the class. She has played at Puyallup High School in Washington where she batted .593 with 10 home runs, 11 doubles, 54 RBI and 47 runs scored as a junior. The batting average, home runs and RBI were all school records.
"Olivia is coming a long way from home but joining a strong family atmosphere here at Tech," said Winn. "She is an outstanding player on and off the field. She will provide a left-handed bat in the lineup for us, as well as depth in the outfield."
She is a two-time first team all-state honoree as well as two-time all-area and all-league selection. She was named the Player of the Year on the all-league team as a junior. She led her team to a combined 49-6 record over the past two years and the 4A Sound Puget Sound League title each year.
"Louisiana Tech has a very friendly and spirited campus," said Ellingson. "I felt it right away. The chemistry and success of the team really impressed me, and I knew I found a great place to play softball and study science. I absolutely love the tight-knit community of Ruston and can't wait to be part of my new family."
Hutchinson will join the Lady Techster pitching staff. She has prepped at Holden High School in Louisiana where she has a career mark of 29-3 in the circle and led the program to the Louisiana Class B state title the past three years.
"Emma will be another great addition to our pitching staff, and I believe has her best softball in front of her," said Winn. "She is a very crafty pitcher that knows how to win, and we are excited to see her compete at the next level."
She is a four-time Class 7B all-district selection, a four-time all-state selection and a three-time all-Livingston Parish honoree. She has also batted .433 with 23 home runs during her high school career.
"I chose Tech because it's a great school, and I fell in love the minute I stepped on campus. It has a family-friendly atmosphere with great traditions and culture," said Hutchinson. "Tech offers endless possibilities for me as a student and as an athlete.
"I really like Coach Winn because she's a relationship person. It's not just about me, a softball player; it's about me, the person, and that's important to her. I want to be a Lady Techster and represent the university while doing what I love. I can't wait to be there next fall and make Ruston home."
Menzina is another local product and will join former Cedar Creek High School teammate Mary Terral on the Lady Techster roster next year. She has recorded a combined 46-18 record with 457 strikeouts in the circle for the Cougars over the past two seasons and has been an integral part of a pair of state championship titles. She batted .465 with six home runs as a junior.
"We are so excited to add another local star to our team in Lauren Menzina," said Winn. "She will be a great addition to our pitching staff with a strong work ethic and passion for the game. We love getting an opportunity to keep such great talent in our community."
She is a five-time all-district selection, a two-time all-state honoree, and was named the LHSAA Division IV Most Outstanding Player as a sophomore.
"I chose Louisiana Tech because it has always felt like home," said Menzina. "I love the coaching staff and the girls that will soon be my teammates. Everything about the program is a perfect fit for me, and I cannot wait to get started."
Spinks is an infielder from Archbishop Hannan High School in south Louisiana. She led her program to three straight district titles and the Louisiana Class 3A state title as a junior. She batted .477 with six home runs and 47 RBI this past season.
 "Having the addition of Gentry Spinks as a utility player will give us lots of options on defense," said Winn. "She is a hard working kid that loves the game, and we are excited to get to see her blossom into an impact player."
She is a two-time all-state selection as well as a three-time all-district honoree and a two-time all-metro honoree. She was named the St. Tammany Parish Player of the Year as a junior.
"My decision to make Ruston my home away from home was influenced by the ability to become the fourth generation of my family to attend this university," said Spinks. "The coaching staff and players have been welcoming and accommodating and made my visits memorable. The University's dedication to its student athletes along with the softball program's success, on and off the field, helped lead me to make one of the most important decisions of my life."
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The Lady Techsters are coming off a historic season that saw the program win 45 games and capture both the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles.
Tech signed infielder Kailyn "KB" Briley (Sterlington, La./Sterlington HS), infielder Tristin Court (Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall Health HS), outfielder Olivia Ellingson (Federal Way, Washington/Puyallup HS), pitcher Emma Hutchinson (Holden, La./Holden HS), and pitcher/infielder Lauren Menzina (Ruston, La./Cedar Creek HS) and infielder Gentry Spinks (Mandeville, La./Archbishop Hannan HS).
Briley is a local product from Sterlington High School. Although she missed the majority of her junior year with an injury, she batted .485 with 18 doubles, four home runs, 50 runs and 38 RBI as a sophomore.
"Kaylin is a very energetic infielder that will help provide depth for us up the middle and add power in our lineup," said Winn. "She's another local talent that we are excited to be keeping close to home and can't wait for her to join our Tech family."
She is a two-time all-state selection, a two-time all-area honoree, a two-time all-parish member by the Ouachita Citizen and two-time all-district selection.She was named team MVP as a freshman.
"I chose Tech because it feels like home, and it's a great choice academically as well," said Briley. "I really like the coaches and players, and I cannot wait to be there next year, representing such an amazing university. I'm very excited to begin this new chapter and make Ruston home."
Court can play catcher and infield for Tech. She has prepped at Rockwall Health High School in Texas where she batted .532 with seven doubles, nine home runs, 37 runs and 35 RBI as a junior.
"Tristin is an amazing athlete that provides depth for us not only behind the plate but in the infield as well," said Winn. "Her defensive abilities are next level, and she has tremendous power at plate as a hitter."
Court was named the Region 11-6A Player of the Year as a junior in Texas, the Region 11-6A Catcher of the Year as a freshman and is a three-time all-Region 11-6A selection.
"I chose Louisiana Tech because as soon as I stepped on campus it felt like home to me," said Court. "I absolutely love the atmosphere and community aspect of the University. The people in Ruston are really kind, and it is a fun place to be."
Ellingson is the lone outfielder in the class. She has played at Puyallup High School in Washington where she batted .593 with 10 home runs, 11 doubles, 54 RBI and 47 runs scored as a junior. The batting average, home runs and RBI were all school records.
"Olivia is coming a long way from home but joining a strong family atmosphere here at Tech," said Winn. "She is an outstanding player on and off the field. She will provide a left-handed bat in the lineup for us, as well as depth in the outfield."
She is a two-time first team all-state honoree as well as two-time all-area and all-league selection. She was named the Player of the Year on the all-league team as a junior. She led her team to a combined 49-6 record over the past two years and the 4A Sound Puget Sound League title each year.
"Louisiana Tech has a very friendly and spirited campus," said Ellingson. "I felt it right away. The chemistry and success of the team really impressed me, and I knew I found a great place to play softball and study science. I absolutely love the tight-knit community of Ruston and can't wait to be part of my new family."
Hutchinson will join the Lady Techster pitching staff. She has prepped at Holden High School in Louisiana where she has a career mark of 29-3 in the circle and led the program to the Louisiana Class B state title the past three years.
"Emma will be another great addition to our pitching staff, and I believe has her best softball in front of her," said Winn. "She is a very crafty pitcher that knows how to win, and we are excited to see her compete at the next level."
She is a four-time Class 7B all-district selection, a four-time all-state selection and a three-time all-Livingston Parish honoree. She has also batted .433 with 23 home runs during her high school career.
"I chose Tech because it's a great school, and I fell in love the minute I stepped on campus. It has a family-friendly atmosphere with great traditions and culture," said Hutchinson. "Tech offers endless possibilities for me as a student and as an athlete.
"I really like Coach Winn because she's a relationship person. It's not just about me, a softball player; it's about me, the person, and that's important to her. I want to be a Lady Techster and represent the university while doing what I love. I can't wait to be there next fall and make Ruston home."
Menzina is another local product and will join former Cedar Creek High School teammate Mary Terral on the Lady Techster roster next year. She has recorded a combined 46-18 record with 457 strikeouts in the circle for the Cougars over the past two seasons and has been an integral part of a pair of state championship titles. She batted .465 with six home runs as a junior.
"We are so excited to add another local star to our team in Lauren Menzina," said Winn. "She will be a great addition to our pitching staff with a strong work ethic and passion for the game. We love getting an opportunity to keep such great talent in our community."
She is a five-time all-district selection, a two-time all-state honoree, and was named the LHSAA Division IV Most Outstanding Player as a sophomore.
"I chose Louisiana Tech because it has always felt like home," said Menzina. "I love the coaching staff and the girls that will soon be my teammates. Everything about the program is a perfect fit for me, and I cannot wait to get started."
Spinks is an infielder from Archbishop Hannan High School in south Louisiana. She led her program to three straight district titles and the Louisiana Class 3A state title as a junior. She batted .477 with six home runs and 47 RBI this past season.
 "Having the addition of Gentry Spinks as a utility player will give us lots of options on defense," said Winn. "She is a hard working kid that loves the game, and we are excited to get to see her blossom into an impact player."
She is a two-time all-state selection as well as a three-time all-district honoree and a two-time all-metro honoree. She was named the St. Tammany Parish Player of the Year as a junior.
"My decision to make Ruston my home away from home was influenced by the ability to become the fourth generation of my family to attend this university," said Spinks. "The coaching staff and players have been welcoming and accommodating and made my visits memorable. The University's dedication to its student athletes along with the softball program's success, on and off the field, helped lead me to make one of the most important decisions of my life."
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