BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University head softball coach Sheryl Gilmore has announced the program's 2023 recruiting class with five players signing a National Letter of Intent to play for the Vikings beginning in the 2024 season.

 

The class includes two outfielders, one infielder, one pitcher and one utility player. Four of the five players hail from the state of Washington, with three products of the Washington Ladyhawks Gold club program.

 

Here is a look at the five program additions that will complete their prep careers this spring and join the WWU program next fall prior to the start of the 2024 season:

 

 

Andrews is a left-handed hitting infielder that can play third base or shortstop…during junior season helped lead Bothell High School to KingCo Championship…batted .411 with .483 on-base percentage, .821 slugging and 1.305 OPS…led Bothell in hits (30), runs scored (30), doubles (7), home runs (7) and stolen bases (6)…4A KingCo All-League selection at third base…SBLive Washington High School All-State and listed as one of the top 20 hitters at the WIAA playoffs…Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) All-American Futures Regional Finalist…also played volleyball with Bothell winning the 2021 4A state championship…standout student-athlete with several academic excellence awards…several community service projects including volunteer coaching and scorekeeping at the Special Olympics.

 

Gilmore on Andrews:

"Even when she was in middle school, Maleah's energy, passion for softball, love for her teammates, and leadership was apparent. She is a student of the game whose athleticism, elite decision making, and communication allows her to be a weapon just about anywhere on defense with the footwork, glove, and arm strength to be a threat of the left side of the infield. Offensively, Maleah has one of the best lefty bats in the state and will take advantage of opposing teams on the bases. We are excited to see the impact she makes right away in our program."

 

Andrews on why she chose WWU:

"I chose WWU because the team environment was fun to be around, and it was a good distance from home."

Carpenter is a left-handed hitting outfielder out of Glacier Peak High School…product of the Washington Ladyhawks club program…as a sophomore in 2021 selected to the Everett Herald First Team All-Area…WESCO 4A All-League First Team as sophomore and junior…listed as a top 10 outfielder in Washington by SBLive…PGF All-American 2023 Futures Regional Finalist…batted .429 as a sophomore and .369 as a junior…member of the National Honor Society…older sister, Harlee, plays softball at Central Washington and will be a senior in 2023.

 

Gilmore on Carpenter:

"Laila embodies the aggressive, nothing hits the grass, mindset that we love in our outfielders. She's not afraid to sell out for a ball, has a strong and accurate arm, the speed to close on balls in the gap, and the softball IQ to play the game in front of her instinctually. Offensively, she is a dynamic threat with a lot of pop from the left side and both speed and savvy on the bases. We are excited for her to come in and contribute right away both on and off the field."

 

Carpenter on why she chose WWU:

"I chose Western because when I went on my visit I really liked the campus and the feel of the town. It's also close to home so my family can watch me play. I felt that Western was a good fit both academically and athletically. I also really loved the whole coaching staff and knew it was the perfect fit."

Kimball is a right-handed starting pitcher and first baseman out of Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor…product of the Washington Acers club program…as a junior in 2022 was selected as the Tacoma Athletic Commission Girls Softball Athlete of the Year…was the 2021 and 2022 South Puget Sound League Pitcher of the Year…two-time First Team All-Area selection…a King 5 Prep Zone Athlete of the Week…2022 NFCA National High School Athlete of the Week (May 5)…during prep career at PHS has thrown five no-hitters (2 perfect games), recorded 349 strikeouts and compiled a 24-4 record with a 1.41 ERA…also a career .448 hitter with 43 RBI and seven home runs…two-time PHS Student of the Quarter…member of the PHS Unified Basketball team in 2019-20.

 

Gilmore on Kimball:

"AK is hands down one of the best pitchers in the northwest, and she has the character, leadership, work ethic, and perspective on family and academics that allow her to find success both on and off the field. Her confidence and composure in the circle combined with her speed, spin, and deception will allow her to come in and contribute right away. Alli not only does a great job missing barrels on the rubber, racking up 229 strikeouts in just 112 innings pitched with a 0.75 ERA last year, but she can find barrels when she's in the box, leading her team with a .520 batting average and six home runs. Alli's future is bright, and we can't wait to get her up to Bellingham."

 

Kimball on why she chose WWU:

"I chose Western Washington University because of the amazing atmosphere throughout the whole school and the fastpitch program. Ever since day one Coach Sheryl made me feel like part of the WWU family which is something I value. I fell in love with the campus during my first visit, especially the beautiful environment of Bellingham. I am so excited to start this next journey in my life as a Viking!"

Kong joins a long legacy of Vikings that hail from the state of Hawai'i…Ewa Beach native that is a product of Campbell High School and the Momentum/Hustlers Softball club program…utility player that bats left and throws right…as a junior in 2022 selected to the D1 All-Hawai'i Team…All-OIA Western Division Second Team…standout student-athlete that has earned several honor roll awards and a spot on the 2022-23 principals list.

 

Gilmore on Kong:

"Ana is a versatile athlete who can do it all. While she was recruited primarily for her power hitting and strong defense, she can pitch as well. Kaiana brings a different look than our current staff in the circle and we are excited to see how she continues to develop with Coach Labasan. She has an incredible work ethic and is a sponge for knowledge. Kaiana has the perfect balance of confidence and humility which usually comes with age and experience in college. Not only will she elevate us on the field, but she will contribute to our culture in a big way."

 

Kong on why she chose WWU:

"Immediately after my first visit to Western Washington, I fell in love with the coaching staff, the softball program, and the campus. I knew that Western would provide me with a competitive atmosphere to thrive in and a second family with great team chemistry."

Traxler is a left-handed hitting outfielder out of Bothell High School and the Washington Ladyhawks club program…four-year varsity letterwinner in softball and soccer…team captain for both softball and soccer as a senior…as a junior helped lead Bothell HS to the KingCo 4A league championship…honorable mention all-KingCO in both softball and soccer.

 

Gilmore on Traxler:

"Rachel has been coming to WWU camps for the last four years and she quickly became one of our team's favorite campers. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious and her love for the game and commitment to excellence makes the people around her better. Rachel processes the game at a high level and takes hits away in the outfield with her ball tracking ability and aggressiveness. She is a gap-to-gap hitter who seizes opportunities to take the next 60 feet on the bases and puts pressure on the defense. Rachel is a great teammate who embodies the values of our program and is a joy to be around. We can't wait to have her join the WWU Softball family!"

 

Traxler on why she chose WWU:

"I chose Western because of the people and the coaches. Ever since I went to my first Western Softball camp I fell in love with the athletic community there. The surroundings and kinesiology program drew me in, and I knew Western was the place for me!"

The WWU softball program enters its 31st season in 2023. WWU advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the fifth time in program history in 2021 after winning the GNAC Tournament. WWU has posted a winning record 19 times during the 30-year history of the program, which won the 1998 NAIA National Championship in only its sixth season to record the school's first ever team national title. During the nine-season span from 2014-2022, the Vikings have combined to go 224-172 and won a pair of GNAC Tournament titles (2017 & 2021).