PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley softball head coach Amy Hayes received five commitments during the fall signing period with 5-11 right-handed pitcher Taylor Bowlby (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon), 5-8 left-handed pitcher Jaelen Hull (Clifton, Ill./Bishop McNamara), 5-7 outfielder Kelly Kapp (Freeburg, Ill./Gibault Catholic), 5-9 shortstop Caitlyn McCarron (Dallas, Ore./Dallas) and 5-7 shortstop/outfielder A'Liyah Rogers (Lawrence, Kan./Free State) each signing National Letters of Intent to attend BU.

A third-team all-state pick for the Panthers, Bowlby has helped O'Fallon High School to back-to-back conference titles and three consecutive regional championships.  Last spring she hit .333 with 24 RBI, in addition to owning a 1.01 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 110 innings of work in the circle as a junior.  A two-time all-conference selection, Bowlby has also garnered all-area and all-metro honors each of the last two seasons.  She led her summer team, the Midland Magic, to a third-place finish at the Colorado Fireworks. 

"Taylor (Bowlby) is a strong power pitcher from the Midland magic organization," Hayes said.  "Showed an early interest in our program and has both the competitiveness and tenacity you want to see in a pitcher.  She knows what her job is and she is determined to get it done.  Taylor has a huge upside as a pitcher and at the plate. She may very well see time on both sides of the lines."

Hull plays for former Bradley standout Laura Harms at Bishop McNamara.  A two-time all-conference selection, Hull hit .469 with 23 RBI in addition to posting a 23-6 record with a 0.82 ERA in 2012 as a junior to help the Irish to an IHSA Regional title.  The team MVP last spring, Hull boasted a 1.64 ERA as a sophomore and a 1.68 ERA as a freshman.  She also earned two letters in volleyball, garnering all-area honors.

"Jaelen (Hull) has nice size and her lefty release will bring another look to our pitching staff," stated Hayes.  "She complements Taylor (Bowlby) well and the two will be a strong tandem as they learn under the mentorship of junior Madeline Lynch-Crumrine next year.  She will have chances to contribute at the plate, but her biggest contributions will likely come in the circle."

Kapp led the St. Louis metropolitan area with a .549 batting average last spring and stole an impressive 47 bases to earn all-state honors following her junior season.  A three-time all-area selection by the Belleville News Democrat, she has ranked in the top 25 in the St. Louis area in batting average each of the last two seasons and been among the top 10 in the St. Louis metro in steals her sophomore and junior years.  Kapp played summer ball for coach Dale Shelton and the Midland Magic Gold, hitting .560 and stealing 31 of 35 bases last year. 

"A relative unknown as she jumped from playing on a smaller summer team to ASA Gold ball this last summer, Kapp is a quick study and has improved greatly in a short amount of time," added Hayes.  "Her speed will make a difference in how the defense plays and she will add a feistiness to our outfield."

McCarron is a two-time all-conference selection and took home first-team all-state honors as a junior.  Named the team's best offensive player all three years, she was selected as the squad's best defensive player each of the last two seasons and has helped the Dragons to three consecutive conference championships.  McCarron has hit .460 or better each of her three prep seasons, including a .484 batting average as a sophomore.  A .477 hitter as a junior, she also lettered all four years in volleyball where she was coached by her mother Cathy.  McCarron played summer ball for Beaverton Blaze coach Mic Bowman

"The daughter of a coach and a "team leader" Caitlin's (McCarron) attitude and her presence will fill out an impressive class," stated Hayes.  "A shortstop by trade, she has the ability to adjust and handle any position.  A solid individual, who moves well, she possesses a strong bat and a good glove.  She has the softball intellect that bodes well for her and our program."

A three-time All-Sunflower League selection, Rogers is a preseason all-state pick this year.  She was the MVP of the 2012 USSSA World Series and also took home MVP honors at the Kansas City Metro Championship.  An honorable mention all-conference performer as a freshman, she garnered first-team All-Sunflower League recognition as a sophomore and second-team honors last spring.  Rogers represented the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence at the 2012 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby in Kansas City this summer.

"A'Liyah (Rogers) has the talent to be a difference maker for our program," Hayes said.  "She is a very good shortstop, but sees more time in the outfield. She has a good feel for the game combined with the ability to make adjustments quickly. We are excited she picked Bradley and can't wait to see how big of an impact she can make."

The 2013 Bradley softball roster features just one senior in pitcher Mackenzie Camp (Mapleton, Ill./Limestone).  The Braves are scheduled to open the season Feb. 7-10 at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz., playing three of the first five games against squads from the Pac-12 Conference.  BU will face Stanford in the opener, in addition to games against Arizona and tournament-host Arizona State.