Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech head softball coach Scot Thomas announced Monday the signing of six standout players to National Letters of Intent who will enroll at Tech in Fall of 2015.
Lauren Duff, Casey Gerhard, Kinsey Johnson, Olivia Lattin, Caitlyn Nolan and Emma Strouth are all highly decorated recruits who will make immediate impacts on the field for the Hokies. Duff hails from Chesapeake, Virginia, and is one of the top catchers in the state. Gerhard, who had several big-time offers, is a versatile player from Clermont, Florida, and Johnson is a utility player from Highland, Maryland, who is a multiple-time NFCA Academic All-American. Lattin is a utility player from Kingston, New York, who earned all-state honors and Nolan is a three-time all-state selection from Bennettsville, South Carolina. Strouth, from Julian, North Carolina, is a two-time all-state choice who will battle for playing time in the outfield right away.
“This is one of the most athletic classes we have had in a long time,” Thomas said. “It is going to be fun to see how they develop over time, because the upside is enormous. I’m very excited for the future of our softball program.”
Several other players will enroll at Tech with these six as recruited walk-ons, but their names cannot be released at this time per NCAA rules.
Below are the bios on Tech’s six newest signees, in alphabetical order:
Lauren Duff
C • 5-8 • R/R
Hickory H.S./Chesapeake, Va.
High School: Is a senior at Hickory High, where she plays softball for Coach Ryan Wieck … An all-state selection … As a junior, was first-team All-Tidewater, all-region, all-conference and all-region … Named the conference player of the year after hitting .547 with nine doubles, five triples and three home runs … Was first-team all-state, all-regiona, All-Tidewater and all-conference as a sophomore after hitting .455 with 12 doubles, three home runs and not allowing a single stolen base from her catcher position … Was first-team all-district and second-team all-region as a freshman after hitting .434 for the year … Also competes in track for Hickory … Plays travel ball for Coach Tom Bunn and Williamsburg Starz.
Personal: Lauren Colette Duff was born June 6, 1997 in Honolulu, HI … The daughter of Lt. Roy Travis Duff (USCG) and April Duff … Has an older brother, Colin … Contemplated major is biology with a concentration in genetics.
Coach Thomas on Duff: “Lauren has a cannon for an arm and great overall catching skills. She has really caught fire at the plate, as well, and I anticipate some great power numbers for the future.”
Casey Gerhard
C/U • 5-9 • R/R
Montverde Academy/Clermont, Fla.
High School: Is home-schooled, but plays softball for Coach Lonnie Richardson at Montverde Academy … A three-time first-team all-state selection at catcher … A first-team all-district catcher four times … Hit .429 as a junior with 11 doubles, five triples, two home runs and 33 RBIs … Hit .412 as a sophomore with seven doubles and five triples … Batted .390 as a freshman five doubles and two triples … Started at catcher as an eighth grader and led her team to a state final four appearance, earning first-team all-district honors … Plays travel ball for Coach Jerry Shepherd and Florida Storm-Shepherd.
Personal: Casey Jane Gerhard was born October 23, 1996 in Orlando, Florida … The daughter of Glenn and Marcia Gerhard … Has a younger sister, Ashley … Contemplated major is business management or communications.
Coach Thomas on Gerhard: “Casey is a catcher who can play other positions as a utility player. I see her as a great contact and situational hitter, who has the ability to develop as a legitimate power threat as well.”
Kinsey Johnson
3B/OF • 5-9 • R/R
River Hill H.S./Highland, Md.
High School: Is a senior at River Hill High, where she plays softball for coach Marni Rosenbaum … Hit .434 as a junior with 28 runs scored, 25 RBIs, seven doubles and two home runs with seven stolen bases … Named second-team all-county and was a NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete … Hit .487 as a sophomore with 22 runs and 16 RBIs, earning first-team all-county honors … Was honorable mention All-Met by The Washington Post and a NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete … Hit .348 as a freshman with 19 runs scored and 12 RBIs … Also has played field hockey for three seasons, ran indoor track and has ridden horses for over a decade … Plays travel ball for Coaches Robyn and Mark Colosimo and the WHC Fever 18UA.
Personal: Kinsey Francine Johnson was born January 23, 1997 in Cleveland, OH … The daughter of Kirk Johnson and Kelly Cartales … Mother played basketball and ran indoor track at Cleveland State University … Father plays competitive squash and was once ranked internationally … Has two older brothers, Karrs and Kaede.
Coach Thomas on Johnson: “Kinsey is a raw athlete and competitor. She probably has the biggest upside of any in the class. She came to our camps and really caught our attention with her size and speed, going to be fun to watch.”
Olivia Lattin
U • 5-6 • R/R
Kingston H.S./Kingston, N.Y.
High School: Is a senior at Kingston High, where she plays softball for Coach Andrea Clausi … Hit .400 as a junior, earning all-state honors … Had 19 RBIs and four home runs that year … Also plays volleyball … Plays travel ball for Coach Tony Abbatine and Frozen Ropes Force.
Personal: Olivia Marie Lattin was born August 22, 1997 in Kingston, NY … The daughter of David and Dianna Lattin … Has an younger brother, David, and a younger sister, Hurley.
Coach Thomas on Lattin: “Olivia is a utility player who can hit for average and power. Although she may pitch as well, where she lands position-wise is yet to be determined, but she will have an immediate impact on making a line up with her stick.”
Caitlyn Nolan
IF • 5-7 • R/R
Marlboro County H.S./Bennettsville, S.C.
High School: Is a senior at Marlboro County High, where she plays softball for Coach Donald Cheek … A three-time all-state and all-region selection … Hit. .415 as a freshman with 15 RBIs, eight doubles and two triples … As a sophomore, led the Pee Dee area with a .578 batting average … Had 28 RBIs, nine doubles, three home runs and two triples … Batted .540 as a junior with 19 RBIs, nine doubles, three triples and a home run … Voted by SC Varsity as one of 2015 South Carolina best softball players … Voted as one of the top 10 South Carolina softball players by Baxter’s Blitz-The State Newspaper … Started playing for the high school varsity squad in eighth grade, helping the team to state title game … Played baseball until her seventh grade year … Plays travel ball for Coach Mike Ward and Team NC.
Personal: Caitlyn Elizabeth Nolan was born February 10, 1997 in Florence, SC …The daughter of Ernie and Anita Nolan … Has an older brother, Tyler.
Coach Thomas on Nolan: “More than likely, Caitlyn will compete as a corner player, but she is athletic enough to play up the middle. Built for power, Caitlin is going to be explosive as middle-of-the-order hitter in the future.”
Emma Strouth
OF • 5-7 • R/R
Southeast Guilford H.S./Julian, N.C.
High School: Is a senior at Southeast Guilford High School, where she plays softball for Coach Shannon Cowart … A two-time all-state selection who was the Greensboro News and Record All Area Player of the Year as a junior … The 2014 Metro Conference 4-A Player of the Year … A two-time all-conference selection, a two-time all-District 4-A selection and the 2014 Powerade North Carolina State Games Gold Medalist … Led her team to 4-A state semifinals as a sophomore … As a junior, hit .516 with nine doubles, three triples, six home runs, 32 RBIs, a 1.031 slugging percentage, a .547 on-base percentage, 14 stolen bases, and 27 runs scored … As a sophomore, hit .464 with 14 doubles, three triples, four home runs, 37 RBIs, a .794 slugging percentage, a .509 on-base percentage, 12 stolen bases, 42 runs scored … As a freshman, hit .425 with six doubles, a triple, a home run, 12 RBIs, a .625 slugging percentage, a .455 on-base percentage and 23 runs scored … A two-time Offensive Player of the Year … Also plays volleyball … Plays travel ball for Coach John Corn and the Lady Lightning Gold Team Miken.
Personal: Emma Lynn Strouth was born May 17, 1998 in Greensboro, NC … The daughter of Phillip Stephanie Strouth … Father played football at Western Carolina University … Has two younger sisters, Abby and Chloe, and a younger brother, Ty … Contemplated major is poultry science.
Coach Thomas on Strouth: “Emma is a very strong kid who will compete for playing time immediately in the outfield primarily. She has solid, quiet mechanics as a hitter and has that ‘no fear, never intimated’ air about her in the batter’s box. Great athlete, but love the competitor.”