NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Softball program is thrilled to welcome five high school seniors to its 2023 signing class as announced by first-year head coach Tina Kramos on Thursday.
"The 2023 recruiting class is a versatile and talented group of softball players," stated Coach Kramos. "They come from highly competitive and highly successful travel ball and high school programs. What impresses me the most about this class is their character. They are selfless, team-oriented, and high achievers both on the field and in the classroom. They play hard and are excellent teammates. Ella Boyer, Payton Brown, Adisyn Hopkins, Julia Larson, and Paige McLeod already possess our program's core values, and we are very excited to welcome them to our Redbird Softball Family."
Ella Boyer | 5-4 | R/R | INF | Tuscola, Ill. | Tuscola HS
Kramos on Boyer: "Ella will provide versatility on the field and power at the plate. Her ability to play multiple infield positions at a high level will add depth throughout our infield. We have known Ella since she first came to our camp as a 2nd grader, and we are excited she will be wearing the Red and White."
High School: Four-year letterwinner for the Tuscola High School Warriors in Tuscola, Illinois…Two-year team captain…Earned All-Conference honors as well as Second Team All-Area from the News Gazette as a sophomore…Boasted a .500 batting average her sophomore season…Helped lead the Warriors to an undefeated regular season as well as conference and regional champions…Named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-State, and First Team All-Area (News Gazette and Herald Review) as a junior…Captured another regional championship junior year as Boyer collected a .556 batting average with 50 hits, 46 RBI, 25 extra base hits and 42 runs scored…Her 10 home runs was the third-highest in program history while her junior season batting average (.556) and RBI (46) were the eight-highest and ninth-highest in program history respectively…Also a four-year varsity starter in basketball…Two-time All-Conference selection in basketball…Led the team in scoring as a junior…Participated in golf as well for a season and the team qualified for sectionals…Boyer is also a high honor roll student and National Honor Society Vice President.
Travel Team: Boyer has played for Premier Fastpitch for four years under head coach Dan Paulson in Mattoon, Illinois.
Personal: Daughter of Amy and Dale Boyer…Has two siblings, Ava and Trey…Mother, Amy, attended Illinois State…Boyer plans on majoring in Marketing Integrated Communications at ISU…She chose Illinois State because she has attended Redbird softball camps since she was seven years old which has allowed her to develop relationships with the coaching staff and she loves the atmosphere and proximity to home.
Payton Brown | 5-5 | R/R | INF/UTL | Taylor Ridge, Ill. | Rockridge HS
Kramos on Brown: "Payton is a passionate athlete whose versatility and knowledge of the game help her excel on the field. She has experience at almost every position and has a tremendous bat. Payton's energy and work ethic will fall in line with the Redbird Softball culture."
High School: Four-year letterwinner for the Rockridge High School Rockets in Taylor Ridge, Illinois…Brown is a two-time team captain and has earned back-to-back 2A State Championships with the Rockets as a sophomore and junior… As a sophomore, had a .424 batting average with 39 hits, 27 RBI, nine doubles, two triples and 10 home runs…First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-State selections her sophomore season…Collected her first 2A State Championship title sophomore year as the Rockets went 29-0…First Team All-Conference and First Team All-State as a junior…Hit .528 with 66 hits, 38 extra base hits, 56 RBI, and 58 runs scored…Broke the school's single season home run record with 17 HR her junior season…Helped lead her team to the school's winningest season in school history at 35-0, earning their second 2A State Championship in as many years…Brown is also an Illinois State Scholar, has made high honor roll all four years of high school and is part of the National Honor Society, holding the position of Treasurer.
Travel Team: Brown has played for Heartland Havoc 05 for five years under head coach John Nelson…She was named the Most Valuable Player at the Perfect Game Elite 40 Scouting Showcase.
Personal: She is the daughter of Diana and Jason Brown…Her cousin, Cory, played basketball at Culver-Stockton and her other cousin, Chipper, played football at Mizzou and Quincy University…Brown chose Illinois State because she loves the coaching staff, the players and the culture – to her, Illinois State feels like home.
Adisyn Hopkins | 5-6 | R/R | INF/UTL | Shawnee, Kan. | Mill Valley HS
Kramos on Hopkins: "Adisyn is a tremendous competitor and swings a big bat. She plays hard every pitch and possesses great awareness. Her work ethic, confidence and consistency on the field will be a great addition to our program."
High School: Four-year letterwinner for the Mill Valley High School Jaguars in Shawnee, Kansas…Earned All-Sunflower Team Second Team and led the Sunflower League in doubles…Voted team's Most Hard Working…Hit .436 with a 1.342 OPS as a sophomore…Her league leading doubles was also the second-most in school history for a single season…As a junior voted the team's Most Valuable Player, Most Hard Working and Best Bat…Earned All-Sunflower League Honorable Mention…Had a .442 batting average with a 1.231 OPS and .500 on-base percentage…Also played volleyball for two seasons…Two-year member of the Spanish National Honor Society.
Travel Team: Hopkins has played for Select Fastpitch for four years under head coach Eric Jones in Kansas City.
Personal: Daughter of Amanda and Mitch Hopkins…Has two siblings, Kian and Carter…Plans on majoring in Molecular Biology at Illinois State and hopes to go into Biotech or Biomed research…She chose ISU because of the academics as well as a great softball program and she really loves Coach Kramos and the rest of the coaches and players.
Julia Larson | 5-6 | L/R | OF/3B/UTL | St. Charles, Ill. | St. Charles North HS
Kramos on Larson: "Julia possesses speed and power from the left side and will bring experience from both infield and outfield to our lineup. She is a high spirited, competitive force that will compliment the energy and culture of the Redbird Softball Program."
High School: Four-year letterwinner for the St. Charles North High School North Stars in St. Charles, Illinois…Helped lead her team to a sectional championship her sophomore season…Earned All-Conference honors as a junior…Captured a conference title and went on to be State Champions her junior season…Also a two-year varsity basketball player…Four-year honor roll member.
Travel Team: Larson has played for the Beverly Bandits for two years under head coach Bill Conroy in Crown Point, Indiana…Team earned second place at PGF National in 2022.
Personal: Daughter of Joy and Eric Larson…Has two siblings, Linnea and Macy…Father, Eric, attended ISU…Grandfather, Richard, played Division III basketball…She chose to attend Illinois State because she feels like it is the best fit for her, she loves the coaching staff and it is a great proximity to home.
Paige McLeod | 5-9 | R/R | P | Danville, Calif. | San Ramon Valley HS
Kramos on McLeod: "Paige is a strong, right-handed pitcher with a good mix of velocity and movement. Her grit in the circle brings an unmatched presence to the mound. Paige's competitive nature and championship mindset will be a tremendous asset to our program."
High School: Four-year softball letterwinner for the San Ramon Valley Wolves in Danville, California…Pitched 3.1 innings and recorded four hits as a freshman before the season got cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic…As a sophomore, the team went 11-9 and McLeod earned Second Team All-League honors with a .508 batting average, driving in 23 runs on 33 hits…Earned First Team All-League and Second Team All-State honors as a junior, pitching 173.2 innings with 168 strikeouts and 1.451 earned run average…Helped team to a 18-9 record as the Wolves placed third in D1 North Coast Sectionals…Named an Athlete of the Month and Female Athlete of the Week by the East Bay Times-Mercury News (May 16-22, 2022) as a junior… Also participated in basketball as a freshman…McLeod is a three-year National Honor Society member, a four-year San Ramon Valley High School California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Member, and a three-time San Ramon Valley High School Academic Honorary Mention Award recipient.
Travel Team: McLeod has played for Warrior Academy for two years under head coach Ray McDonald…Helped her team to 2021 16u Tier 1 Alliance National Champions and 2022 16u TC National Champions.
Personal: Daughter of Jackie and Steve McLeod…Has one sister, Lila…Father, Steve, coached high school hockey for eight years…McLeod plans on studying Nursing while at Illinois State…She chose ISU because she loves the atmosphere, campus and community and also feels supported and welcomed by the players and coaching staff.
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