Aberdeen, S.D. – Northern State University head coach
Jenny Fuller announced the addition of five student-athletes to the Wolves softball roster for the 2022 season. Kamdyn Barrientos (Grand Island, Neb.), Sophie Driver (Council Bluffs, Iowa), Avarie Eagle (Muscatine, Iowa), Abigail Rux (Hawley, Minn.), Kaydence Skiles (Omaha, Neb.), and Hannah Smith (Clive, Iowa) will join the Wolves next fall.
"This is an excellent recruiting class that I believe will allow us to compete at the top of the NSIC," noted Fuller. "We have some holes that will need to be filled for next year, so we have added speed, power, catching, and pitching to this class. We believe these players will compete for playing time once they step on campus. This group demonstrates a strong work ethic on the field and in the classroom; and has passion for success. We can't wait to see them in maroon and gold!"
Kamdyn Barrientos | Grand Island, Neb. | Grand Island Senior High | Infield
Kamdyn Barrientos is a 5-foot-6, corner infielder out of Grand Island Senior High. She was a 4-year starter for the Islanders under the direction of head coach Taylor Graves. Barrientos hit a career high .518 as a senior, concluding her career with a .411 batting average. She holds six Grand Island High school records. Barrientos is an all-conference and all-conference academic performer. In addition, she was named to the honorable mention team by the Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Star Journal. Finally, Barrientos was named to the Lincoln Star Journal Academic All-State team and Grand Island Independent All-Heartland Softball Super Squad. She is the daughter of Jami and Jamie Barrientos.
Sophia Driver | Council Bluffs, Iowa | Lewis Central HS | Outfield
Sophia Driver is a 5-foot-6, outfielder out of Lewis Central High School. She played four seasons with the Nebraska Gold club team under the direction of head coach Dan Roberts. Driver led the team in homeruns in both 2019 and 2020. She is the daughter of Sherry Glasnapp.
Avarie Eagle | Muscatine, Iowa | Muscatine HS | Infield
Avarie Eagle is a 5-foot-11, infielder out of Muscatine High School. She played five seasons with the Iowa Premier Softball club out of Des Moines. The squad tallied top-10 finishes at the PGF Nationals in 2018 and 2019, as well as the Colorado Firecracker. Eagle hit .300 in the 2020 season, with a .909 fielding percentage. She is the daughter of Zach and Sarah Eagle.
Abigail Rux | Hawley, Minn. | Hawley HS | Pitcher/Infield
Abigail Rux is a 5-foot-8, pitcher/infielder out of Hawley High School. She is a 4-year starter and 2-year team captain for the Nuggets under the direction of head coach Jackson Lyngaas. Offensively, Rux hit .391 with seven homeruns and 33 RBI in 2018; and defensively recorded a 2.95 ERA with 130 strikeouts. She is a 2-time all-conference and all-section player, as well as the 2018 Co-MVP of the Heart of the Lakes Conference. Rux holds the Hawley school records for single game strikeouts (18) and single game RBI (8). As a member of the Diamond Academy club team, Rux hit .434 with nine homeruns, eight doubles, and 35 RBI. In addition, she posted a 1.93 ERA with 185 strikeouts. She is the daughter of Trisha and Chad Rux.
Kaydence Skiles | Omaha, Neb. | Marian HS | Catcher/Infield
Kaydence Skiles is a 5-foot-9, catcher/infielder out of Marian High School. She was a 4-year starter and senior team captain for the Crusaders under the direction of head coach Chad Perkins. In her final three seasons, Skiles hit above .300, including a career high mark of .455 in 2020. She recorded 135 hits, 19 doubles, 15 homeruns, and 111 RBI over the course of her career. Skiles was honored on the Nebraska Freshman State first team, NCPA Academic All-State team, MHSAA All-Division team, MHSAA All-Academic team, and Lincoln Star Journal Super-State Softball team. As a member of the Nebraska Gold club team, Skiles hit .371 in 2020. She is the daughter of Brady and Kathy Skiles.
Hannah Smith | Clive, Iowa | Dowling Catholic HS | Outfield
Hannah Smith is a 5-foot-5, outfielder out of Dowling Catholic High School. She played three seasons with the Iowa Blitz club program under the direction of head coach Marty Maynes. Smith tallied a career average of .402 with ten doubles, two homeruns, and a .966 fielding percentage. She is the daughter of Kevin and Jill Smith.
