ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Head softball coach Erica Beach has announced two signees for the 2015-16 season. Cheyenne Smith and Callie McGarrigle will join the softball team next fall.
Smith is familiar with New Mexico and the city of Albuquerque as she was born here and is related to Tom Popejoy, who played football at UNM in 1921 and was President at UNM in 1948. She went through high school at Lakeside High School in Lake Elsinore, California where she lettered in softball for four years and lettered in volleyball.
She was named Athlete of the Year in her freshman and sophomore seasons and was a Second Team All-Sunbelt league selection in 2014 as an outfielder. She hit .423 and had nearly a .500 on-base percentage in back-to-back seasons (2013 & 2014).
In the summer, she plays for TeamSmith 18U Gold, which the team took third place at the 2012 Triple Crown tournament in San Diego.
“Cheyenne is a quick outfielder who hits from the left side,” said Beach. “She will add much needed depth to our outfield and a strong versatile bat. She is a great athlete who has the passion for the game. She brings great energy to our program and will look great wearing the Cherry and Silver.”
McGarrigle will come to UNM from Tucson, Arizona where she lettered in softball for four years at Sabino High School. She led her team to a fourth place finish in Division 2 in 2012. Softball has been in her family as her aunt Luci Banales Messing played softball at the University of Arizona from 1972-77.
She earned many accolades in just her first three seasons, garnering Second Team All-Southern as a catcher in 2012, Honorable Mention All-Southern Leagu as a utility player in 2014 and was named Sabino High School Softball’s Rookie of the Year in 2012 and Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014.
“Callie is a big hitting first baseman who will bring pure power to out lineup. She hits from the left side and has the potential to hit a lot of home runs for us. She will make an immediate impact on this program and I can’t wait to see her in a Lobo jersey.”
McGarrigle is also a member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honors Society. She has earned academic accolades, including AIA Scholar-Athlete in 2011-12.