George Washington University Athletics
Softball Signs Six for 2021 Season
11/15/2019 1:50:00 PM | Softball
Colonials set to add talented recruiting class
WASHINGTON – George Washington softball coach Shane Winkler has announced that six student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Colonials for the 2021 season.
The newcomers include Jo Castillo (Fayetteville, N.C.), Alena Ramirez (Chula Vista, Calif.), Abby Schaub (Leesburg, Va.), Maddie Spell (Suwanee, Ga.), Sidney Torres (Great Falls, Va.) and Alexa Williams (El Cajon, Calif.).
"I'm beyond excited to announce our first wave of Class of 2020 signees with more to come," said Winkler, who led the Colonials to a share of their first Atlantic 10 title last spring. "We will be graduating an outstanding group after this year that has made a major impact, both on and off the field. This class has the talent and character to keep this program competing for A-10 Championships for years to come.
"We fill every need possible with this group as we add power pitching, power bats, speed and athleticism to cover every position on the field. This class gets it done both on the field and in the classroom. They are exactly the type of individuals we are proud to have in our program."
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Jo Castillo
UTL
Fayetteville, N.C./Jack Britt High School
Selected for Kentucky Prep East/West All-Star Game after junior season at Elizabethtown (Ky.) High School...Helped Panthers reach district final in 2019 playing catcher/third base...Named Academic All-State in 2018 and 2019...Named to 5th Region All-Tournament Team as an eighth grader in 2016...Earned recognition on the All A Honor Roll in 2016, 2017 and 2018...Played club ball with Indiana Magic Gold and NC Challengers Premier.
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Winkler on Castillo:Â "Jo is a strong defensive catcher but has the athleticism to compete all over the field. Her bat is going to be a difference maker for us as she has the swing to hit for a high average and the power to drive in runs with one swing. She will develop into a great leader in our program."
Castillo on choosing GW:Â "I chose GW not only for the amazing opportunities that will be afforded to me during my time there but also for the family atmosphere that will push me to be the best version of myself day in and day out. GW is a place where I can obtain a world-class education while competing athletically with world-class people."
Alena Ramirez
IF
Chula Vista, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic High School
Named to All-CIF Second Team as a junior in 2019 after helping Mater Dei go 31-4 and win the San Diego Section Open Division title...Posted a .446 OBP with 28 runs scored and 21 RBIs...Received program's Coach's Award...Named to All-League Second Team after 2018 season...Honored with Academic Excellence Award...Member of National Hispanic Recognition Program, National Honors Society and California Scholarship Federation...Played with EC Bullets CA 18-U Gold on the club circuit.
Winkler on Ramirez:Â "Alena is a spark plug on the field. She plays with a ton of energy and aggressiveness and will fit in perfectly with the way we play the game. She is going to be a very tough out offensively as she has a unique blend of speed and power and she'll be tough to defend from the left side of the plate. Alena will make an immediate impact both offensively and defensively."
Ramirez on choosing GW:Â "I chose to go to GW because of the incredible academic and athletic programs that I know will prepare me for my future. I could see myself calling GW home."
Abby Schaub
C
Leesburg, Va./Heritage High School
Named Team MVP after junior season at Heritage High School in 2019...Received Heritage Coach's Award after sophomore season...Earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named team's Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman in 2017...Member of Honor Roll in 2017, 2018 and 2019...Played on club circuit with Lady Lightning Gold and Vienna Stars...Selected to 2017 Colorado Sparkler All-Star Game and part of third-place finish at 2017 PGF Platinum Nationals.
Winkler on Schaub:Â "Abby has a ton of power at the plate and will help replace a lot of the power numbers we'll graduate this year. She has strong arm that can see time behind the plate and at the corners for us. It's going to be fun to continue to see Abby develop and continue to get stronger over the next four years."
Schaub on choosing GW:Â "I chose GW for the world-class academics, and the additional learning opportunities available in the nation's capital. Additionally, I love the championship culture the coaches and players have created for the softball program."
Maddie Spell
P
Suwanee, Ga./Collins Hill High School
Named to 2019 All-County First Team after lifting Collins Hill to the Georgia state tournament with her work in the circle and at first base...Four-year varsity contributor for the Eagles...Named 2018 Scholar Athlete...Played club ball with 18U Gold Firecrackers-McDonald.
Winkler on Spell:Â "Maddie is the true definition of a power player. She's a power lefty pitcher and has a big time power bat at the plate. It will be exciting to see her make an impact in the circle and at the plate. When you can land a strikeout pitcher and a home run threat, you know you have a difference maker."
Spell on choosing GW:Â "I chose GW because I knew it would not only open unbelievable job opportunities for me after college, but also that it would be a place where I could play the game I love while excelling in the classroom. Additionally, I love the championship mindset every player and coach has on this team, and I cannot wait to be apart of that!"
Sidney Torres
UTL
Great Falls, Va./Langley High School
Named to 2019 Washington Post All-Met First Team after hitting nearly .600 as a junior shortstop and helping Langley High School advance to the Virginia state semifinals...Selected to All-Conference Team after each of her first three prep seasons...Named team captain as a junior and senior...Recognized on FloSoftball Class of 2020 "Most Recruitable" list...Three-time Scholar Athlete honoree...Won bronze medal in national Russian essay contest in 2018...Represented VA Glory Mertz-Griffith Premier in club competition.
Winkler on Torres:Â "Sidney is a true athlete who can play all over the field and can do it all at the plate. She has great speed, a ton of power and does a great job with her glove both in the infield and outfield. We were able to pick up Sidney late in the recruiting period and were very fortunate as she can make an impact in many different ways with her athleticism."
Torres on choosing GW:Â "I am super excited to be continuing softball and starting the next chapter in my life at GW! What first struck me was the incredible coaching staff at this school and how welcoming and supportive they are. Also, the girls on the team are melded together so well, and the team overall has a really positive culture around it. Lastly, GW is an amazing school academically, and I am so thrilled to be able to learn and better myself in such a beautiful and diverse area."
Alexa Williams
P
El Cajon, Calif./El Capitan High School
Named EC Preps San Diego County Player of the Year and recognized on the All-San Diego CIF Section First Team following junior season at El Capitan High School...Honored as Team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year after helping the Vaqueros to the 2019 Grossmont Valley League title with a .568 batting average and nine home runs while also going 6-3 in the circle with a 2.33 ERA...Two-time Grossmont Valley League Player of the Year (2017, 2019)...Three-time Grossmont Valley All-League pick...Three-time All-East County selection...Recognized as a three-time Scholar Athlete and Principal's List selection for work in classroom...Played club ball with East Cobb Bullets (2017-present) and Firecrackers Brashear/Thornburg (2016-17)...Recognized on FloSoftball's Top-100 list for Class of 2020.
Winkler on Williams:Â "Alexa is another power pitcher with the potential to be one of the top pitchers and power hitters in the A-10. She can be a difference maker for us in the circle and in the middle of the lineup. She'll have the potential to take over games on both sides of the ball."
Williams on choosing GW:Â "I chose GW because it is surrounded by so much history, and I love the positive environment that the coaches create!"
The newcomers include Jo Castillo (Fayetteville, N.C.), Alena Ramirez (Chula Vista, Calif.), Abby Schaub (Leesburg, Va.), Maddie Spell (Suwanee, Ga.), Sidney Torres (Great Falls, Va.) and Alexa Williams (El Cajon, Calif.).
"I'm beyond excited to announce our first wave of Class of 2020 signees with more to come," said Winkler, who led the Colonials to a share of their first Atlantic 10 title last spring. "We will be graduating an outstanding group after this year that has made a major impact, both on and off the field. This class has the talent and character to keep this program competing for A-10 Championships for years to come.
"We fill every need possible with this group as we add power pitching, power bats, speed and athleticism to cover every position on the field. This class gets it done both on the field and in the classroom. They are exactly the type of individuals we are proud to have in our program."
Â
Jo Castillo
UTL
Fayetteville, N.C./Jack Britt High School
Selected for Kentucky Prep East/West All-Star Game after junior season at Elizabethtown (Ky.) High School...Helped Panthers reach district final in 2019 playing catcher/third base...Named Academic All-State in 2018 and 2019...Named to 5th Region All-Tournament Team as an eighth grader in 2016...Earned recognition on the All A Honor Roll in 2016, 2017 and 2018...Played club ball with Indiana Magic Gold and NC Challengers Premier.
Â
Winkler on Castillo:Â "Jo is a strong defensive catcher but has the athleticism to compete all over the field. Her bat is going to be a difference maker for us as she has the swing to hit for a high average and the power to drive in runs with one swing. She will develop into a great leader in our program."
Castillo on choosing GW:Â "I chose GW not only for the amazing opportunities that will be afforded to me during my time there but also for the family atmosphere that will push me to be the best version of myself day in and day out. GW is a place where I can obtain a world-class education while competing athletically with world-class people."
Alena Ramirez
IF
Chula Vista, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic High School
Named to All-CIF Second Team as a junior in 2019 after helping Mater Dei go 31-4 and win the San Diego Section Open Division title...Posted a .446 OBP with 28 runs scored and 21 RBIs...Received program's Coach's Award...Named to All-League Second Team after 2018 season...Honored with Academic Excellence Award...Member of National Hispanic Recognition Program, National Honors Society and California Scholarship Federation...Played with EC Bullets CA 18-U Gold on the club circuit.
Winkler on Ramirez:Â "Alena is a spark plug on the field. She plays with a ton of energy and aggressiveness and will fit in perfectly with the way we play the game. She is going to be a very tough out offensively as she has a unique blend of speed and power and she'll be tough to defend from the left side of the plate. Alena will make an immediate impact both offensively and defensively."
Ramirez on choosing GW:Â "I chose to go to GW because of the incredible academic and athletic programs that I know will prepare me for my future. I could see myself calling GW home."
Abby Schaub
C
Leesburg, Va./Heritage High School
Named Team MVP after junior season at Heritage High School in 2019...Received Heritage Coach's Award after sophomore season...Earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named team's Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman in 2017...Member of Honor Roll in 2017, 2018 and 2019...Played on club circuit with Lady Lightning Gold and Vienna Stars...Selected to 2017 Colorado Sparkler All-Star Game and part of third-place finish at 2017 PGF Platinum Nationals.
Winkler on Schaub:Â "Abby has a ton of power at the plate and will help replace a lot of the power numbers we'll graduate this year. She has strong arm that can see time behind the plate and at the corners for us. It's going to be fun to continue to see Abby develop and continue to get stronger over the next four years."
Schaub on choosing GW:Â "I chose GW for the world-class academics, and the additional learning opportunities available in the nation's capital. Additionally, I love the championship culture the coaches and players have created for the softball program."
Maddie Spell
P
Suwanee, Ga./Collins Hill High School
Named to 2019 All-County First Team after lifting Collins Hill to the Georgia state tournament with her work in the circle and at first base...Four-year varsity contributor for the Eagles...Named 2018 Scholar Athlete...Played club ball with 18U Gold Firecrackers-McDonald.
Winkler on Spell:Â "Maddie is the true definition of a power player. She's a power lefty pitcher and has a big time power bat at the plate. It will be exciting to see her make an impact in the circle and at the plate. When you can land a strikeout pitcher and a home run threat, you know you have a difference maker."
Spell on choosing GW:Â "I chose GW because I knew it would not only open unbelievable job opportunities for me after college, but also that it would be a place where I could play the game I love while excelling in the classroom. Additionally, I love the championship mindset every player and coach has on this team, and I cannot wait to be apart of that!"
Sidney Torres
UTL
Great Falls, Va./Langley High School
Named to 2019 Washington Post All-Met First Team after hitting nearly .600 as a junior shortstop and helping Langley High School advance to the Virginia state semifinals...Selected to All-Conference Team after each of her first three prep seasons...Named team captain as a junior and senior...Recognized on FloSoftball Class of 2020 "Most Recruitable" list...Three-time Scholar Athlete honoree...Won bronze medal in national Russian essay contest in 2018...Represented VA Glory Mertz-Griffith Premier in club competition.
Winkler on Torres:Â "Sidney is a true athlete who can play all over the field and can do it all at the plate. She has great speed, a ton of power and does a great job with her glove both in the infield and outfield. We were able to pick up Sidney late in the recruiting period and were very fortunate as she can make an impact in many different ways with her athleticism."
Torres on choosing GW:Â "I am super excited to be continuing softball and starting the next chapter in my life at GW! What first struck me was the incredible coaching staff at this school and how welcoming and supportive they are. Also, the girls on the team are melded together so well, and the team overall has a really positive culture around it. Lastly, GW is an amazing school academically, and I am so thrilled to be able to learn and better myself in such a beautiful and diverse area."
Alexa Williams
P
El Cajon, Calif./El Capitan High School
Named EC Preps San Diego County Player of the Year and recognized on the All-San Diego CIF Section First Team following junior season at El Capitan High School...Honored as Team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year after helping the Vaqueros to the 2019 Grossmont Valley League title with a .568 batting average and nine home runs while also going 6-3 in the circle with a 2.33 ERA...Two-time Grossmont Valley League Player of the Year (2017, 2019)...Three-time Grossmont Valley All-League pick...Three-time All-East County selection...Recognized as a three-time Scholar Athlete and Principal's List selection for work in classroom...Played club ball with East Cobb Bullets (2017-present) and Firecrackers Brashear/Thornburg (2016-17)...Recognized on FloSoftball's Top-100 list for Class of 2020.
Winkler on Williams:Â "Alexa is another power pitcher with the potential to be one of the top pitchers and power hitters in the A-10. She can be a difference maker for us in the circle and in the middle of the lineup. She'll have the potential to take over games on both sides of the ball."
Williams on choosing GW:Â "I chose GW because it is surrounded by so much history, and I love the positive environment that the coaches create!"
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