AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Jamie Pinkerton has announced the signings of eight high schoolers to National Letters of Intent.

The Cyclones signed Danika Best, Jessie Clemons, Karlee Ford, Abby Huhn, Hayleigh Oliver, Samantha Potvin, Victoria Prado and Sereniti Trice.

 

“Overall, this is a very good class that addresses our needs now that we’re finally exiting the years of roster fluctuation due to COVID,” says Coach Pinkerton. “These eight players will fill our pitching, catching, infield, outfield and left-handed hitter holes that will come with graduation. Our whole staff is looking forward to working with this group of student-athletes.”

 

Danika Best – 5’2 | OF | Bradenton, Fla. | Inspiration Academy
Danika played for the Louisville Sluggers-Huecker club team and was a four-time letterwinner in high school. Best and her team won the 2021 7a Florida State Championship under Coach Brian Commerford and Coache Anne Gerwits. Best recorded a .420 batting average, 14 stolen bases and 21 RBI this past season and was a member of the 2022-23 Honor Roll.

 

“Danika joins us from a very competitive club,” says Pinkerton. “She’s an outfielder with the type of speed that poses a triple threat. She bats lefty and will help supplement the lefties we lose in the spring.”

 

Jessica Clemons – 5’9 | INF | Bettendorf, Iowa | Pleasant Valley HS
A multi-sport athlete and Iowa native, Clemons helped lead Pleasant Valley to four straight winning seasons in all four years she lettered with the team. This past summer, Clemons was named to the First Team All-State and the 5A Tournament Team as Pleasant Valley finished runners-up in the state tournament. She tallied a .450 batting average with 13 homers and 60 runs scored.

 

“Jessie’s an all-around player who was a member of the Southeast Iowa All-Stars and has both good speed and power,” says Coach Pinkerton. “She’s played all over the field and has proven that she can play multiple positions and help our program wherever she’s needed.”

 

Karlee Ford – 5’6 | C | Goddard, Kan. | Eisenhower HS
A four-year varsity starter, Ford joins the Cyclones from the Sunflower State. Her softball team was the 5A State Runner-Up this past season after Eisenhower earned third-place finishes in both 2020-21 and 2021-22. Ford was named First Team 5A All-State and an All-League Catcher this past season, where she hit .437 with 38 hits (24 for extra bases) with 15 steals. Ford holds her high school’s record for most homers in a season with 10.

 

“Karlee does a really good job behind the plate as a defensive catcher,” says Pinkerton. “She handles pitches well, has great energy and does a very good job at handling the run game. She’ll help the depth of the position as we’re set to lose Camille (Marin) to graduation.”

 

Abby Huhn – 5’8 | RHP/OF | Carlsbad, Calif. | Mission Hills HS
Huhn recorded a 1.66 ERA this past season, striking out 200 batters with a single-game high of 16 strikeouts. At the plate, Huhn hit .370 and earned All-Conference recognition in her junior season. Abby has an older sister, Madison, who plays basketball at Miami (OH).

 

“Abby is a well-balanced athlete that can both pitch and play in the field,” says Pinkerton. “We’re looking to use her like Tatum (Johnson). She’ll be able to provide depth to the bullpen that we need, and along with Potvin, will help bring youth to our staff. She has a competitive drive that will help add versatility and depth to our team.”

 

Hayleigh Oliver – 5’8 | OF | Star, Idaho | Eagle HS
A four-time high school letterwinner, Hayleigh comes to Ames from the aiBandits-Breer club team. In the past three seasons, Oliver has helped her high school to a pair of fourth-place finishes as well as a fifth-place finish in Idaho 5A ball. She clobbered 22 homers, a school record, this past season on her way to being named NFCA Third Team All-American and earning a spot on the 2024 Alliance All-Star Watchlist.

 

“Hayleigh is a versatile athlete that we can play at multiple positions,” says Pinkerton. “We see her as a centerfielder, but she can play both corners and also provide depth in the middle infield if needed. She’s a right-handed hitter who can hit in any part of the order due to her combination of speed and power.”

 

Samantha Potvin – 5’9 | RHP | Bradenton, Fla. | Inspiration Academy
Potvin comes from a traditionally strong club program in the Pacific Northwest – the Washington Ladyhawks.

 

“Sami is a pitcher that will help replace what we’re losing after the season with the graduation of both Karlie (Charles) and Saya (Swain),” says Coach Pinkerton. “She’s very effective at changing eye level and speeds and will be a great addition to our pitching staff.”

 

Victoria Prado – 5’5 | OF | Murrieta, Calif. | Murrieta Mesa HS
A three-time All-Academic honoree in high school, Victoria joins Iowa State after a successful prep career. Prado and her team were three-time Southwestern League champions, and she earned second-team All-League in 2022 after hitting .397 in her sophomore campaign.

 

“Victoria comes to us from Corona Angels-Tyson – a club that has provided really good players for us over the years,” says Coach Pinkerton. “She’s a corner outfielder with left-handed power that will help the middle of our lineup. She’s part of a young core of outfielders we envision having a big role for us going forward.”

 

Sereniti Trice – 5’0 | INF | San Diego, Calif. | Cathedral Catholic HS
Trice signs with the Cyclones after a decorated career with Cathedral Catholic. She’s earned First Team All-League in all three of her high school seasons, culminating in earning Player of the Year in the Western League during her junior year. Trice was named California Second Team All-State as well as first-team All-CIF San Diego Section.

 

“Sereniti is an adaptable player that can play middle infield and can be used in the outfield too,” says Coach Pinkerton. “She hits from the left side and has what I would call elite speed. We see her hitting at the top of the order and potentially leading off. She can be a table setter, and I look forward to her being a constant threat to steal bases for us.”