George Washington University Athletics
Four Ink National Letters of Intent to Join GW Softball
11/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
 |  | Follow @GW_Softball |
WASHINGTON - The George Washington softball team has inked four student-athletes to the Class of 2020, head coach Stacey Schramm announced.
Coach Schramm adds a strong offensive class as well as depth behind the plate, in the circle and at the corners for the Colonials. Kaitlin Buff, Jenna Cone and Priscilla Martinez will join GW from California, while Jessica Linquist hails from New Jersey.
"This 2016 recruiting class is likely the most talented class that will come through the GW softball program," said Coach Schramm. " It's going to be fun when they finally get here."
Priscilla Martinez
Position: Catcher
Hometown: Fountain Valley, Calif.
High School: Mater Dei High School
Club Team: So Cal Athletics
Martinez has posted a stand-out career with Mater Dei High School over the last three seasons, helping her squad to Trinity League Championships in 2013 and 2015 while earning First Team All-Trinity League honors in her sophomore and junior seasons. The talented backstop earned her team's Rookie of the Year award in 2013, Offensive Player of the Year honor in 2014 and Defensive Player of the Year nod in 2015 and holds a career .373 average with a .506 slugging percentage. As a member of the So Cal Athletics club team, Martinez helped win a PGF 16U National Championship in 2014.
"Priscilla has rapidly developed in just the past few years," said Coach Schramm. "As a catcher, she'll add much needed depth at that position for us. She has an explosive bat and will add power to the middle of our line-up. She brings a winning mentality to our program, playing club for one of the top programs in the nation, which won a 16U PGF National Championship with Priscilla. We are very lucky to have her join the program."
Kaitlin Buff
Position: Pitcher
Hometown: Lomita, Calif.
High School: Rolling Hills Prep
Club Team: Ohana Tigers
Buff will bring a strong arm and a wealth of winning experience to the Colonials. A starting pitcher throughout her high school years, Buff led her league with a 1.38 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 55.2 innings of work as a junior, amassing a 9-1 record while leading Rolling Hills Prep to a CIF Championship in 2015. The southpaw also helped the So Cal Athletics win a Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) 16U National Championship.
"Kaitlin comes from the same winning program as future classmate Priscilla Martinez and current GW battery Sarah Costlow and Aiyana Leal-Robles," said Coach Schramm. "She will complement Costlow very well, as they both have the same pitching coach in California and have spent a lot of time working out together."
Jenna Cone
Position: Catcher/Corner Infield
Hometown: Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
High School: Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Club Team: California Cruisers
A starter in each of her three seasons at Santa Margarita Catholic, Cone is a versatile defensive player with a big bat. The Trabuco Canyon, California, native was voted Top Fifteen Freshmen in Orange County in 2013 by the OC Register and has earned All-Trinity League honors for three-straight seasons. In 2014, Cone led her squad in runs (21), home runs (13) and RBIs (27). Cone will play alongside her sister, current freshman Jayme Cone, as a Colonial.
"Jenna can play first and third base just as well as she can catch," said Coach Schramm. "We fully expect her to fill in at one of those positions because Jenna's strength is hitting. Between Martinez and Cone, the middle of our line-up will have the potential to produce quite a bit of RBIs. Jenna's biggest strength is that she is a true leader on the field; her leadership will fill the void left by senior captain Carlee Gray's graduation this spring."
Jessica Linquist
Position: First Base/Outfield
Hometown: West Deptford, New Jersey
High School: West Deptford High School
Club Team: South Jersey Team Mystics
Jessica Linquist signs with GW after a stellar junior season at West Deptford High School. The lefty grabbed a spot on the Colonial Conference First Team for the third time, while being named the league's Player of the Year. Linquist also landed on the South Jersey Times All-Area First Team, the Courier Post All-South Jersey First Team and NJ.com's All-Group 2 First Team. As a junior, Linquist led her squad with 52 hits, 38 RBIs and 20 doubles while reaching the 100 career hit milestone and earning her team's Most Valuable Player award.
"Jess is the definition of a diamond in the rough," said Coach Schramm. "She has the athleticism to immediately make an impact on the team. More importantly, she has the presence and swag that coaches can't teach. Every time she walks up to the plate, people assume that she'll get a hit. She plays high school for my twin sister in New Jersey, and we will expect her to bring some of that 'Jersey Attitude' down to DC with her!"
