DePaul University Athletics
Softball Signs Four for the 2018 Season
11/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
CHICAGO - Head softball coach Eugene Lenti announced today that Pearl Barroso, Maranda Gutierrez, Kristen Moore and Kate Polucha have all signed a National Letter of Intent and will be on the Blue Demon's 2018 roster.
"I am very happy and excited to welcome all of our signees to the DePaul family," said Lenti. "All four are strong, versatile players that can cover the field. They have all played for very successful and high-profile travel teams which have competed and won at the national level. We expect and know that they will make an immediate impact on our team and program."
DePaul's incoming class features a pitcher (Moore), two infielders (Barroso and Gutierrez) and an outfielder (Polucha). Barroso, Gutierrez and Polucha all hail from the Batbusters travel team which won the USA Select World Fastpitch Championship last summer.
Moore is listed as one of the top 100 recruits in 2017 and comes to DePaul from Medford, Ore. The left-handed pitcher plays for South Medford High School and is a member of the NW Bullets travel squad. As a junior Moore was named her conference's Pitcher of the Year and was a first-team, all-state selection. In 2015, she earned a spot on the conference's first team.
"Kristen Moore is a strong lefty with a great rise ball," Lenti said of his newest edition to the pitching staff.
"Kristen fits in with the mold of the program's other past great, and All-American, left-handed pitchers."
Barroso plays her high school ball for Chino High School. The infielder from Ontario, Calif. is a two-time, first-team, all-league selection. Barroso is also the captain of her high school's varsity team.
"Pearl Barroso can play just about anything in the middle," said Lenti of his newest infielder. "Thanks to her strength, she has a solid bat and can hit the ball all over the park."
Gutierrez hails from Whittier, Calif. and was the MVP of the North Hills League in 2015. She is a first-team all-league selection at Brea Olinda High School.
"Maranda Gutierrez is an exciting player," said Lenti. "She has a lot of strength and is smart. Like Pearl, she's an all-around middle infielder with a lot of speed."
Polucha, an outfielder from Orange County, Calif., is a two-time, first-team, all-league selection out of Niguel High School.
"We know we can use Kate anywhere in the outfield and she will provide a lot of power at the plate," Lenti said of Polucha.
The Blue Demons open the 2017 campaign in Lafayette, La. at the Louisiana Tournament Feb. 10-12. The Blue Demons are scheduled to play Louisiana, Ball State and Iowa State.
