Wolverines Ink Three Recruits During Early NLI Signing Period
11/13/2019 5:30:00 PM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team received National Letters of Intent from three student-athletes during the early signing period, head coach Carol Hutchins announced Wednesday (Nov. 13). The trio -- catcher/infielder Ryleigh Carricaburu, outfielder/infielder Sierra Kersten and catcher/infielder Keke Tholl -- will join the Wolverines next fall and make their collegiate debut during the 2021 softball season.
"We see this class as a powerful group that will add to the culture of our program and continue to raise the athleticism of our team," said Hutchins. "We are all about quality -- quality of character, values, work ethic, academics. We value those things, and I really think each member of this class is of high quality. We're very excited to bring them into our program."
Ryleigh Carricaburu
Carricaburu, a native of Riverside, California, was named to the 2019 All-CIF Southern Section team as a catcher and infielder for Woodcrest Christian High School. She is a three-time All-Ambassador League honoree and, in 2019, was named the league's Player of the Year. Carricaburu boasts a career .656 average, including a best .697 as a sophomore (2018), with 36 home runs and 130 RBI. She has played travel ball with the California Cruisers and Firecrackers organizations.
"We found Ryleigh a while ago, and she just keeps getting better," said Hutchins. "She loved Michigan from the get-go, and she loves all the things that we're about. She wants to be a part of something bigger than herself. She was drawn to the whole package, and that's one of the reasons we were so drawn to her. She's versatile and can play several positions. She's athletic with good speed, a tremendous arm and a powerful bat. She's a protégé of Lauren Sweet -- her coach out there -- and we love that connection."
Sierra Kersten
Kersten, a native of Waterford, Michigan, garnered first team All-State honors last season as a middle infielder and outfielder for Clarkston High School. She was a nominee for the 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year after posting a .557 batting average as a junior with 13 home runs and 77 RBI. She has played travel ball with the Beverly Bandits and Michigan Finesse organizations. Off the field, she is a three-time all-state academic honoree. Kersten is the No. 94-rated prospect in the country according to FloSoftball.
"Sierra is an outstanding athlete and an outstanding kid," said Hutchins. "She's just a cut above in every category. She's a true blue Michigan kid, and she's just gotten better and better. She's got speed, power, work ethic, and she's one of the most upbeat, positive kids I've ever met. She has really refined her game over the last year. She'll be an athlete that others are drawn to on the field."
Keke Tholl
Tholl, a native of Tinley Park, Illinois, earned 2019 NFCA first team All-America honors after hitting .600 with a 1.267 slugging percentage, 15 home runs and 61 RBI last season as a catcher for Victor J. Andrew High School. She also earned first team All-State honors from the Illinois Coaches Association. A two-time All-Southwest Suburban Red Conference honoree, Tholl was named the league's Player of the Year in 2019. Off the field, she is a three-time NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete. She plays travel ball with the Illinois Sparks organizations. Tholl is the niece of Michigan softball alumna (1988-91) and associate head coach Bonnie Tholl.
"Obviously, we know Keke quite well. We've watched her grow up," said Hutchins, "and it became clear to us that she's capable of being a fantastic D-I player. She's got a great work ethic, she's got a great heart -- it's blue -- and I think she's a perfect fit for Michigan. She's strong and very powerful. She can play a variety of positions, including catcher, and I think she'll do anything she can do to help us win. I think she'll be a great clubhouse player and a great teammate."
