Lobo Softball Signs Six in 2019 Signing Class
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— University of New Mexico head softball coach Paula Congleton announced on Friday the signing of six student-athletes who will be continuing their collegiate and academic careers at UNM.
Jayden Gandert, Rachael Hathoot, Gavyn Shafer, Briana Martinez, Jocelyn Ulrich and Samantha Kortsen have all signed a NLI to join the UNM class of 2019.
Of the six signees that comprise Congleton’s second signing class, four are from the state of New Mexico, with Shafer from Oregon and Kortsen from Arizona.
“I am thrilled about this recruiting class,” said Congleton. “Tyler (Heil), Breanna (Macha) and I feel that this 2019 class is the start of the future for Lobo Softball. We all feel like their impact will be recognized immediately and that is very exciting.
“This was a highly-recruited class and with every one of these kids we had to fight off a lot of schools. We are very proud of our New Mexico signees and the potential they possess. We know they each had numerous opportunities but wanted to be a part of our Lobo family. This class is not coming here to just be a part of a team, they are coming here to impact our team and our future. I love that about their commitment to UNM and know we are fortunate to have all of them.”
Gandert is a pitcher and utility player from nearby Rio Rancho, N.M., who attends Cleveland High School. She is a National Honor Society member with a 3.8 GPA, and a four-year all-academic. During her high school career, Gandert earned second team all-district as well as first team all-district. Besides softball, she has lettered in volleyball, basketball and track. Born in Mesa, Ariz., Gandert has played travel ball with the AZ Suncats, the NM Fusion and the NM Reign. She intends to major in dentistry at UNM.
“I am so excited and proud to be signing with UNM softball. I am grateful for the opportunities that softball, my coaches and my family have given me. I know I can make an impact on young female athletes and look forward to representing my state and Lobo Softball. Go Lobos!”
Another local player, Hathoot is a shortstop from Albuquerque and La Cueva High School and has played three years of varsity softball. During her high school career, Hathoot has earned numerous accolades including 2018 New Mexico 6A second-team all-state, Albuquerque Journal All-Metro second team in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and all-district first team, also in 2017 and 2018. She also earned all-district second team in 2016. The shortstop accumulated 113 hits, 39 RBIs, 20 home runs, 25 doubles and eight triples in 64 games and a batting average of .571. She also played four years of varsity basketball and club ball with Mizuno Storm. She is a member of the National English Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. Her father, Steve, attended UNM, and she intends to major in sports medicine as she embarks on her four years as a Lobo.
“With the support of my family, teammates and coaches, I am blessed to continue playing softball at UNM. I know there are great things ahead and I couldn’t be more excited to play for Coach Congleton and her staff. Go ‘Bos!”
Ulrich is an outfielder from Aztec, N.M., and Aztec High School, who played four years of varsity softball. She was named to the New Mexico 5A First Team All-State in 2017 and 2018, the 2016 New Mexico 5A Second Team All-State, and earned a spot as a 2017 Max Preps Underclass All-American. During her career, she recorded 163 hits, 165 RBIs, 132 runs, 45 doubles, 32 home runs and three triples, while batting .498. She played club ball with the New Mexico ICE.
“As a kid, I always dreamed about playing college softball at a major university. I am so excited about playing a sport I love at the university I love, but also to get the best education in the country. I am exhilarated to work with Coach Congleton, Coach Heil and Coach Macha to reach my full potential as both a softball player and a person. Go Lobos!”
Gandert is another local product from Rio Rancho and Cleveland High School who is a pitcher and utility player. She is a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.8 GPA and earned all-academic all four years. She also participated in student council as a secretary her freshman and sophomore year. On the field, Gandert was named second-team all-district at shortstop her freshman and sophomore years. She also made first team all-district at third base.
“I am so excited and proud to be signing with UNM softball. I am grateful for the opportunities that softball, my coaches and my family have given me. I know I can make an impact on young female athletes and look forward to representing my state and Lobo Softball. Go Lobos!”
Martinez currently attends Rio Rancho High School in Albuquerque and has played varsity softball for four years. The shortstop was named all-district first team and Albuquerque Journal all-metro first team in 2018 and recorded 42 RBIs, 52 runs and hit 17 home runs as a junior while hitting .454. Academically, she was named to the honor roll in 2016-17 and 2017-18 and to the all-district academic team in 2017-18. Martinez also played club ball for the New Mexico Sundancers.
“I am so honored, blessed and excited not only for the opportunity to play for the UNM Lobos and Coach Congleton and her coaching staff, but for the privilege of obtaining an education. I am a proud New Mexican and I am looking forward to representing my state and my family. Go ‘Bos!”
Shafer comes to Albuquerque from Aloha, Ore., and is a shortstop that has played on the varsity team for three years to date and one year of varsity basketball. She was named to the 2018 Oregon 6A Third Team All-State and 2017 Oregon 6A First Team All-State. In 2017, Shafer was awarded Co-Metro League Player of the Year. Her stats at the plate include a .450 average as a freshman, .640 her sophomore year and .500 her junior year. She has played club ball with the MW Nightmare, the OR Blaze and the Bat Company. Academically, Shafer has earned a scholar-athlete award for the past three years.
“I chose UNM for new experiences and to create a new home away from home. I am looking forward to creating new memories with my future teammates and excited to be a part of great things to come with Lobo softball. Go Lobos!”
Kortsen joins the Lobos from Thatcher, Ariz., and Thatcher High School, where she played three years of varsity softball as well as three years of varsity volleyball. The shortstop was named to the Arizona 2A First Team All-State in 2017 and 2018 and was the Arizona 2A Region Player of the Year in 2017. During her high school career thus far, Kortsen appeared in 76 games, batting .621, and tallied 149 hits, 81 RBIs, 135 runs, 42 doubles, 14 triples, 18 home runs and 90 stolen bases.
“I have dreamed about this day since I was a little girl and I cannot be prouder or more excited to get on the University of New Mexico campus. I want to help my Lobo coaches and teammates attain all of the goals we set for ourselves and the fall of 2019 cannot get here fast enough. Go Lobos!”