Softball | 11/9/2022 1:39:00 PM
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana head softball coach
Gretta Melsted has announced the addition of two student-athletes on National Signing Day. The Vikings will welcome Ella Cooper and Desaree Cuevas to the 2024 roster after enrolling at AU in the Fall of 2023.
"We are excited to have Desi and Ella join our program," Melsted said. "They are both extremely talented softball players who have great futures ahead of them at Augustana. Both Ella and Desi have played at an extremely high level, being part of the Nebraska Gold organization and will make a smooth transition to collegiate softball.
"It's been a while since we have had some players from Nebraska in our program and we are excited that Ella and Desi have renewed that connection. They will have an immediate impact on our program and are great fits as students, athletes and most importantly, as high-character young women.
Cooper, hailing from Fremont, Nebraska, joins the Vikings after a prep career that has seen her earn All-Conference honors recording 65 hits, 54 runs and a .533 batting average this past season from the batter's box. In the pitching circle for Fremont High School, she recorded 20 wins with 257 strikeouts in 172.2 innings pitched. Her ERA was 2.96 en route to being named an Omaha World-Herald Class A Second Team Pitcher.
"She is a multi-dimensional player," Melsted added. "Defensively, she is primarily a pitcher who controls batters. She has a high strikeout rate and is extremely effective at keeping people off the bases. In addition to pitching, Ella can also play the outfield.
"She also can hit and has homerun power. Ella isn't limited to being a power hitter as she can mix in the short game because of her incredible speed. Her speed is game-changing as she is a base stealing threat. Her athleticism makes her a threat in all aspects of the game."
Cuevas will come to Augustana after graduating from Millard North High School in Omaha, Nebraska. Her senior season saw her earn an Honorable Mention to the All-State Teams while earning First Team All-Metro honors. She recorded 11 home runs and seven doubles while batting .461 in her senior campaign.
"Desi is a true utility player who yields an incredibly strong bat," Melsted said. "She will join the list of great hitters to come through our program as she is a power lefty who has incredible hand-eye coordination.
"She is a hitter who makes pitchers and opposing coaches uncomfortable. She can change the course of a game with one swing. Defensively, she plays in the outfield and also pitches."
--GoAugie.com--
