DURHAM, N.C. – Head coach Marissa Young and the Duke softball program announced the signing of three highly touted student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.
Duke softball's inaugural signing class features catcher/third baseman Hannah Pridemore (Lithia, Fla.), catcher/outfielder Jazmine Moreno (Elk Grove, Calif.) and infielder/outfielder Allison Florian (Kannapolis, N.C.). Duke's three signees will join the Blue Devils in the fall of 2016.
“This 2016 signing class marks a huge step in the history of our program,” said Young. “Not only are these young ladies the first to sign an NLI to play Duke softball, but they represent the leadership our program will lean on for the next five years. I'm really looking forward to the year ahead and spending a lot of time with this group.”
Young was named the first head softball coach in school history July 29, 2015. The Blue Devils are scheduled to open varsity play during the 2017-18 academic year and will allot the NCAA maximum 12 scholarships within the first four years of competition. Plans for a new softball stadium are currently in progress.
Hannah Pridemore
Catcher/Third Base
Lithia, Fla. (Newsome High School)
High School: Four-year letterwinner under coach Autumn Dunn at Newsome High School in Lithia, Fla. … Led the Wolves to the 2015 Class 8A state title, Newsome's first state team title in any sport … Garnered Hillsborough County Western Conference first team, Tampa Bay Times All-Hillsborough County and Team GPA awards as a junior and a freshman … Led the district with a .526 batting average in 2015 while registering a .628 slugging percentage and .529 on-base percentage … Totaled 41 hits and 15 RBI … Elected team captain as a junior … Hit .310 with 18 hits and 13 RBI during her sophomore campaign, earning Hillsborough County Western Conference second team accolades … Turned in a .500 batting average as a freshman to lead the district in 2013 … Posted a .606 slugging percentage to go along with a .509 on-base percentage her rookie season … Member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society … Elected to the student council and student government all four years … 2015 Wendy's High School Heisman state finalist.
Club: Guided travel team, the Tampa Mustangs, to the 2015 Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championship … Played seven years for the Florida Fire travel team, helping the squad finish 17th at the 2012 ASA Nationals.
Personal: Born Hannah Rachel Pridemore on March 10, 1998 in Brandon, Fla. … Daughter of Todd and Tracie Pridemore … Has an older sister (Alexa) … Father played baseball and wrestled at Marshall University from 1982-85 … Cousin (Grant Amerson) is a member of the UCSD men's golf team … Great grandfather (Maurice Mayes) played football at West Virginia.
Young on Pridemore: “Hannah Pridemore knows how to win. Last year, she led her high school team to a high school state championship and her travel team to a national championship. Hannah will be a key factor in leadership for the future Blue Devils. She takes charge on the field behind the plate and is a leader in the community as well. As her Duke family, we look forward to supporting her pursuits of a degree in engineering or pharmacy and winning an ACC Championship.”
Pridemore on Duke: “I was interested in attending a high academic school that would also allow me the opportunity to continue playing softball. The minute I stepped on campus, I knew Duke was the perfect fit for me. It will be an honor to play for Coach Young and to be a part of the inaugural softball team at Duke.”
Jazmine Moreno
Catcher/Outfield
Elk Grove, Calif. (Elk Grove High School)
High School: Four-year letterwinner under coaches Amanda Buck and Jeff Alexander at Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, Calif. … Guided the Thundering Herd to a runner-up finish in the 2015 California Interscholastic Federation Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs … Helped high school team to three Delta League Championships, including an undefeated record in 2015 … Posted a .302 batting average, .333 on-base percentage and .377 slugging percentage as a sophomore in 2014 … Hit .244 with 13 RBI in 2015 … Academic Award honoree (4.0 GPA of higher) as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Club: Played three years with the California Breeze, two years with the California Grapettes and two years with the SoCal Firecrackers Black … Helped all three teams to top 25 finishes at national tournaments.
Personal: Born Jazmine Alexis Moreno on March 15, 1998 in Sacramento, Calif. … Daughter of Michael and Roseanne Moreno … Has an older brother (Joseph) and a younger sister (Jenna).
Young on Moreno: “Jazmine Moreno is that quiet thunder. She is small in stature but plays with so much heart and fire that is infectious to those around her. I look forward to seeing the fight and spark she will bring to the Blue Devil squad. Jazmine is going to be a great leader by example for our future Blue Devils. Her Duke family looks forward to supporting her passion for a degree in the medical field.”
Moreno on Duke: “I chose Duke University because it's the best of both worlds: phenomenal academics and top-notch athletics. I always knew that it was an amazing school, but when I visited the campus and saw how beautiful it is, I knew that would, without a doubt, it is where I want to be. Most of all, I'm honored and feel incredibly privileged to represent Duke as an athlete and to be a part of the first softball team.”
Allison Florian
Infield/Outfield
Kannapolis, N.C. (Northwest Cabarrus High School)
High School: Played for coach Jamie Blalock at Northwest Cabarrus High School in Kannapolis, N.C., and Dave Guimbardo at Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis, Mo. … Three-time all-conference selection … Earned all-district accolades as a sophomore … Tabbed offensive player of the year and garnered first team Cabarrus County Dream Team accolades in 2015 … Registered a .563 batting average six doubles, three triples and three home runs as a junior … Also totaled 22 runs and 19 RBI … Recorded a .859 slugging percentage and .587 on-base percentage … Selected all-county and all-state choir as a junior … Honor Roll student.
Club: Played for the Lady Lightning from 2015-16 … Guided the squad to a fourth place finish at the Triple Crown Nationals.
Personal: Born Allison Paige Florian on Sept. 6, 1997 in St. Louis … Daughter of Ken and Dawn Florian … Has an older brother (Brendan) and a younger sister (Phoebe).
Young on Florian: “Allison Florian plays with grit and a get-it-done mentality. She is an athlete who can run, hit and play both infield and outfield. Her biggest intangible – she is a tough out. Allison has that fight in her and she battles. I look forward to seeing her aggressive style of play elevate the play of those around her. Duke is the perfect place for Allison to find her passion with the right degree for her future.”
Florian on Duke: “I chose Duke because of how academically challenging it is. I get along with Coach Young and appreciate her love and efforts towards the start of Duke's softball program.”
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