WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State softball head coach
Kristi Bredbenner completed her 2021 signing class with seven student-athletes submitting their National Letters of Intent Wednesday afternoon.
Alex Aguilar, CC Fleming, Sami Hood, Siera Hoekstra, Cassie Passwaters, Sarah Proberts and Taylor Sedlacek made it official and are set to join the Wichita State softball program in the fall of 2022.
"We are really excited about the athleticism of this 2022 class," Bredbenner said. "Several of the girls play multiple positions, have good speed, strong arms and powerful swings. The most exciting characteristic they all have is the potential to improve and be impact players for our program. This is an underrated group, filled with athleticism, power and energy. They will fit in well with our returners and give us some tools to continue building Shocker Softball into a nationally competitive program each year."
Alex Aguilar | Midland, Texas | 5'5" | Pitcher
Alex Aguilar is one of two pitchers in this year's signing class. She will bring her talents in the circle from Midland High School to Wichita State. A four-year starter and letterwinner, Aguilar has racked up more than 500 strikeouts during her prep career, while also hitting better than .450 at the plate. She has earned first team all-district honors every year, while helping Midland to the District Championship as a junior. Aguilar was named the District MVP as a junior behind 150 strikeouts in the circle. She is the daughter of Rod and Gaby Aguilar. She has one brother, Ryan, and one sister, Sophia. Aguilar plans to major in biology at Wichita State.
Aguilar on Wichita State: "I chose Wichita State softball because I wanted to surround myself with people who have the same academic and athletic goals as myself. One of the things that instantly drew me into the program was the overall team GPA. I knew that if I went to Wichita State, I would be putting myself in a position to succeed on the softball field, as well as in the classroom. I am looking forward to helping my team win in any way possible."
Sarah Proberts | Olathe, Kan. | 5'5" | Pitcher
Sarah Proberts will bring some pitching experience from Olathe South High School. A two-time captian and four-year starter, Proberts is an all-state honorable mention and Second Team All-Sunflower League selection. She racked up 138 strikeouts in 113 innings as a senior, while helping Olathe South to a regional championship. Aside from softball, Proberts is a member of the basketball and dance teams. In the classroom, Proberts is a member of National Honor Society, New Student Mentor Group, Falcon Flight Crew Leadership Group and has received an academic achievement of excellence for GPA. She is the daughter of Darin and Teresa Proberts. She has one sister, Megan; and a brother, Brandon. At Wichita State, she plans to major in pre-med.
Proberts on Wichita State: "I really liked Coach Bredbenner, Coach E (Economon), and Coach Bell from the moment I met them. When I visited the campus, it had a great feel. The team was very welcoming, and I knew it was the place for me. I am looking forward to getting to know all the girls on the team and being able to learn from them. I'm excited to be on campus and get to experience the college life as a collegiate athlete."
Coach Bredbenner on the signing of pitchers Aguilar and Proberts: "As we navigate the trends in softball, we are seeing an increase in the number of pitchers teams are carrying on their rosters. We are following that trend by signing Alex Aguilar and Sarah Proberts. They bring two completely different pitching styles to the circle, but both are competitive and have had to carry their travel teams through some tough tournaments."
CC Fleming | Lake Villa, Ill. | 5'9" | Utility
CC Fleming makes the move from Lake Villa, Ill., to Wichita to continue her softball career. Fleming is a four-year starter and two-time captain for Lakes Community High School. A solid junior campaign led to her being named an all-conference performer. In the classroom, Fleming has been named to the honor roll every semester. Aside from a prep career on the diamond, Fleming has also played basketball for Lakes Community High School. She is the daughter of Matt Fleming and Cameo Lapera. She has two brothers: Matt Fleming Jr. and JD Lapera, and one sister: Cayla. She plans to major in biology at Wichita State.
Fleming on Wichita State: "I chose Wichita State because of the family environment and the culture."
Taylor Sedlacek | Bennington, Neb. | 5'7" | Infielder
Taylor Sedlacek will bring her talents from the Cornhusker State and Bennington High School in Bennington, Neb. A four-year starter and letterwinner, Sedlacek has had a decorated prep career, which led to a Top 100 ranking in the Extra Elite Rankings at No. 66 overall and No. 44 for middle infielders. She is a four-time first team all-conference selection, while also being named a Lincoln Journal Star First Team Super State (All Classes & First Team Class B) and Omaha World Herald First Team All-Nebraska (All Classes & First Team Class B). Sedlacek played in all 33 games as a senior, hitting .457 with three triples, nine doubles, 11 home runs, 19 stolen bases and 52 runs scored. She helped lead the Bennington Badgers to a 27-6 record and the Eastern Midlands Conference regular season and tournament Championships. They qualified for State for the first time since 2011, finishing fourth. In 122 career games, Sedlacek has seven triples, 35 doubles, 34 home runs, 81 walks, 33 stolen bases, 151 runs and a .423 batting average. She holds single season school records in runs (52) and home runs (11) and career records in runs (151) and home runs (34). Sedlacek was also a standout on the basketball court, earning all-conference honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior. In the classroom, Sedlacek was an Academic All-Conference honoree all four years. She is the daughter of Don and Jennifer Sedlacek and has one brother: Trenton. She plans to major in finance at Wichita State.
Sedlacek on Wichita State: "I chose Wichita State because it had everything: a great softball program, awesome coaches and a beautiful facility. I know Addie (Barnard) and Bailey (Urban) and they always speak highly of their experience. I look forward to getting to know all the girls and helping the team compete for titles."
Coach Bredbenner on the signing of Fleming and Sedlacek: "The versatility that we will have with Taylor Sedlacek and Cierra (CC) Fleming will be fun to watch. They are both multi-sports athletes, and their athleticism will allow us to try them out at several positions on the field. Their speed and potential at the plate will wreak havoc on the bases.
Sami Hood | Allen, Texas | 5'8" | Infielder
Sami Hood will join the Shockers from Allen High School in Allen, Texas. Hood is a four-year letterwinner and starter at shortstop for the Eagles. As a junior, Hood was named the Conference Player of the Year, while also earning Dallas Morning News All-Area First Team accolades and second team recognition by both the Star Local Media All-Area and DFW Fastpitch All-Metroplex Team. A TGCA All-State member, Hood finished her junior campaign with 11 home runs, five triples, 36 RBI, 43 runs scored, 32 stolen bases and a .348 batting average. She set single season school records in triples, home runs, runs, RBI, batting average, total bases and slugging percentage. Hood helped the Eagles to a Tri and Bi-District Championship in 2021 with a 27-5-2 record. She is the daughter of Tracy Hood and Tiffany Gleeson, along with stepfather Chris Gleeson. She has two brothers: Jordan and Jacob; and a sister, Sarah. She plans to major in biochemistry at Wichita State.
Hood on Wichita State: "I chose Shocker softball because it felt like home when I got there, and I just think it is where God wanted me to end up. I am looking forward to winning more conference championships and then eventually making it to the Women's College World Series at Wichita State."
Siera Hoekstra | Overland Park, Kan. | 5'6" | Infielder
Siera Hoekstra will stay in state to play collegiate softball, making the move from Overland Park, Kan., and Shawnee Mission North High School. A two-time captain and four-year starter, Hoekstra will bring experience to the infield after playing shortstop during her prep career. After hitting .484 as a junior, Hoekstra picked up all-conference second team and all-state honorable mention honors. In 2018, she was a member of the team that won Nationals, while also earning MVP honors. She is the daughter of Paul and Anita Hoekstra and has one sister: Kelsey. She is undecided on a major at Wichita State.
Hoekstra on Wichita State: "I chose Wichita State because I had a great connection with the coaches, I really love the program that they are building, good team chemistry and it's a place I know where I can learn and grow."
Coach Bredbenner on the signing of Hood and Hoekstra: "Sami Hood and Siera Hoekstra have the potential to be an outstanding middle infield combo. They both read the ball well, have strong arms and make big plays on the field. When you combine their abilities at the plate with their defense, they both have a chance to make a real impact in the program."
Cassie Passwaters | Mustang, Okla. | 5'4" | Catcher/Infielder
Cassie Passwaters continues the softball pipeline from Mustang, Okla., to Wichita State. She will be the third student-athlete from Mustang under Bredbenner. She has split time at both catcher and third base during her prep career. As a catcher, Passwaters earned all-state, all-district and COAC 6A-1 District Player of the Year honors as a senior. She is a three-time COAC honorable mention and 6A-1 District honorable mention choice. Passwaters is coming off a season hitting .588 with 15 home runs and 55 RBI. Her career numbers include: 52 doubles, 11 triples, 37 home runs, 88 runs and 161 RBI. After helping Mustang to a 25-8 record in 2021, they finished their season in the state semifinals. Passwaters has also competed on the track & field team throughout high school, throwing the shot put as a sophomore, junior and senior. In the classroom, she has been named to the honor roll three years. She is the daughter of Brian and Amber Passwaters. She has two sisters: Sami and Lizzy. She comes from an athletic background where her dad played collegiate soccer for Elon University and mom played softball and basketball for the University of Arkansas-Monticello. She plans to major in digital arts at Wichita State.
Passwaters on Wichita State: "I knew I wanted to pursue a career in digital media and play DI softball in college. Wichita State checked every box for me: not far from home, excellent digital arts program and one of the best softball teams in the country. It's a dream come true to be a Shocker and I can't wait to begin my next chapter in Wichita."
Coach Bredbenner on the signing of Passwaters: "Cassie Passwaters rounds out the class with power and energy behind the dish and in the batter's box. She has a great bat and a strong arm behind the plate. Her energy and love for the game is contagious."
