PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley Softball Head Coach Amy Hayes received five commitments during the 2020 Fall Signing Period, announcing Abbott Badgley (West Lafayette, Ind./Harrison), Shelby Katzakian (Lodi, Calif./Lodi), Allie Paregien (Exeter, Calif./Exeter Union), Katie Pederson (Verona, Wis./Verona) and Addie Welsh (Mapleton, Ill./Illini Bluffs) each signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Braves for the 2022 season.

Abbott Badgley • 5-9 • RHP • West Lafayette, Ind. • Harrison H.S.

An all-conference selection, Badgley helped the Raiders to sectional titles both her sophomore and freshman seasons along with a conference title as a freshman.  In addition to owning a .454 average with 15 RBI at the plate as a sophomore in 2019, she struck out 80 and held opponents to a .128 average that same season.  A member of the Indiana Shockwaves club team, coached by Walt Perry, Badgley was recognized by her high school as an Academic Excellence Award winner each of the last three years.  Her mother was a four-year letterwinner on the basketball team at Southern Illinois and her dad is the boy's basketball coach at Mundelein High School.

"Abbott is a tireless worker who takes great pride in her craft," said Hayes.  "She is a hard-throwing competitor who will make an immediate impact for us.  She can't get away from being a coach's kid and she has embraced that title rather than buck it. She understands the sacrifice required, the effort that's needed and the importance of leadership. We can't wait to see her in red and white."
 

Shelby Katzakian • 5-7 • UT • Lodi, Calif. • Lodi H.S.

A first-team Tri-City Athlete League pick as a freshman, Katzakian led her conference in home runs last year and owns 21 career dingers entering her senior season.  She hit .486 with an impressive .542 on base percentage last year.  In addition, she was an Allstar Prep nominee which represents the best of the San Joaquin County, and plays club ball for the Batbusters-Gomes. 

"Shelby is a versatile, exciting player who can move back and forth between the infield and outfield; but it was her offensive output that initially caught our eye," stated Hayes.  "She will be an important addition to the lineup next year."
 

Allie Paregien • 5-7 • OF • Exeter, Calif. • Exeter Union H.S.

Paregien enters her senior year with a .447 career batting average at the prep level, hitting .420 or better in each of her three seasons.  Named best offensive player for the Monarchs both her sophomore and junior seasons, she has 54 career stolen bases; which includes 34 as a freshman.  In 190 career at bats, Paregien has scored or driven in 112 runs.  The two-time team captain was a second-team all-conference pick and helped the Monarchs to a conference title.  Paregien also lettered in volleyball and is a member of the Clovis Rockets, coached by Megan Ink, at the club softball level.

"Allie is the one who almost got away," said Hayes.  "She is a speedy outfielder who got lost in the shuffle of virtual recruiting due to COVID-19, but we are excited to have found her.  Allie will aid our outfield defense and will be a legitimate threat on the basepaths. She has tremendous athletic ability making her an exciting player to watch."
 

Katie Pederson • 5-8 • C • Verona, Wis. • Verona H.S.

The first player from the state of Wisconsin for the Braves since 1998, Pederson earned first-team All-Big 8 conference honors as a sophomore and also garnered team Defensive MVP along with Most Improved honors for the Wildcats.  She was part of regional title winning squads both her freshman and sophomore seasons, in addition to a conference championship team her sophomore campaign.  At the club level, Pederson plays for Iowa Premier and coach Kevin Christensen. 

"Katie comes to us from a high-caliber club program and has proven herself to be a leader behind the plate," said Hayes. "She has a good sense for the game and is a quality teammate - smart and respected; two traits we want in our catchers. We are excited to add her to the battery."

Addie Welsh • 5-5 • SS • Mapleton, Ill. • Illini Bluffs H.S.

A two-time all-conference honoree for the Tigers, Welsh took home third-team all-state and first-team all-area honors her sophomore year.  She helped Illini Bluffs to a state runner-up finish in 2019, in addition to a conference crown, while hitting .400 with 24 RBI and 24 stolen bases.  Welsh hit .333 as a freshman.  A three-sport standout, Welsh was part of a state runner-up squad in volleyball as a junior in 2019 and her basketball teams reached the Sweet 16 both her sophomore and junior campaigns.  The daughter of a pair of Bradley graduates, Welsh plays for Peoria Sluggers Fastpitch travel team coached by Nick Trotter and Donnie Dittmar.

"Addie is one of the most gifted athletes in Central Illinois and we are so proud that she wants to carry on her family's Hilltop legacy and be a part of our program," said Hayes.  "She has the ability to play multiple positions, all the while never showing her hand. I have never seen her get flustered.  She is simply a grinder who always finds a way to make the play."