PEORIA, Ill. -- Sixth-year Bradley softball head coach Amy Hayes received five commitments during the Fall Signing Period, with 5-9 outfielder Erika Hansen (Fillmore, Calif./Moorpark), 5-9 infielder/utility Elizabeth Leonard (Olathe, Kan./Olathe East), 5-5 infielder Taylor Morales (Spokane, Wash./University), 5-5 utility Maria Schroeder (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich) and 5-8 infielder Taylor Willhalm, (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) each signing National Letters of Intent.
Hansen earned the Musketeers' best offensive player award last spring as a junior, helping her team to a league championship and state tournament appearance. She served as a team captain her sophomore season and went on to garner the squad's MVP award that same year. Hansen hit nearly .600 as a freshman and was named Moorpark's best offensive player in 2010. A three-sport athlete, she also lettered in soccer and volleyball. Hansen's brother is a freshman on the football team at Idaho State.
“Erika is a dynamic player with a ton of raw ability,” said Hayes. “She plays for a quality Bownet Gold team out of California, which has done a tremendous job grooming her for the next level. She has great speed and is a force at the plate. We are excited about what she will bring to our outfield and offense next year.”
A two-time Third-Team NFCA High School All-American, Leonard has helped the Hawks to back-to-back Class 6A state titles as a sophomore and junior after a fourth-place state finish her freshman season. She hit .533 with 39 runs scored and 15 RBI her junior season and boasted a .590 batting average with 37 runs and 30 RBI her sophomore year. Leonard has earned First-Team NFCA South Central All-Region honors each of the last two years and is a two-time first-team all-state selection.
“Elizabeth has had an exceptional softball career so far,” stated Hayes. “A standout second baseman for her Kansas Peppers Gold team and an all-state player for her high school, she is versatile enough to push into the outfield if needed. A speedy left-handed hitter, she has great instincts for the game. We look for her to have an immediate impact.”
Morales was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior and a second-team all-league performer her sophomore year. She helped her squad to conference titles each of her first two prep seasons and three consecutive state tournament appearances, including a fourth-place Class 3A state finish in 2013. Morales hit .352 as a junior with 18 RBI and owned a .424 on base percentage last spring. A member of the Spokane Mudhens travel team, she had a .347 batting average as a sophomore.
“I have known the Morales family for a long time after previously recruiting Taylor's older sister,” said Hayes. “Taylor is fiercely competitive and brings a great tenacity to the field. She has a good knowledge of the game and has been schooled by her coach and father Octavio. They led their Washington Mudhens team to ASA state titles and we are excited to see what Taylor will do at the next level.”
A first-team all-state selection as a junior, Schroeder was named one of the top 100 players in the area by the Chicago Sun-Times prior to the 2013 season. She is a three-time North Suburban Conference all-league selection and also a three-time Daily Herald Lake County All-Area pick. A .466 hitter last spring, 23 of Schroeder's 48 hits went for extra bases, including five home runs. She owns a .442 career batting average, with 22 doubles, 23 triples and seven home runs during her prep career. The 2011 Pioneer Press Rookie of the Year and second-team all-conference pick, Schroeder helped Lake Zurich to a conference championship and IHSA Elite Eight appearance as a freshman.
“Maria (Schroeder) is one of the most versatile and athletic players we have had come through our program,” added Hayes. “She plays for Gerry Quinn and the Il Chill Gold and can play every position on the field with great knowledge and ability. She has a very good feel for the game and is a spark for her teams. Her competitiveness and leadership ability will be a great addition to our squad.”
Willhalm hit .426 as a sophomore and went on to take home team MVP and all-area honorable mention honors in 2012. Last spring, she was named the team's defensive MVP. Willhalm also letters in basketball at Plainfield North.
“Taylor (Willhalm) plays for the Wheatland Spikes coached by her father Joel,” stated Hayes. “She is a shortstop by nature, but possesses such knowledge of the game which she can be utilized at other positions. Willhalm has been working with NFCA Hall of Fame coach Margie Wright, who has been helping with the Spikes program lately and has made big improvements in her game. We can't wait to get to work with such a motivated player who shows such an interest in learning every facet of the game.”
Bradley is scheduled to open the 2014 season at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Aiz., Feb. 7 with a 6 p.m. (CST) game against Indiana.
