DeFeo Announces 2014 Recruiting Class
11/22/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. - Mercer University softball Head Coach James DeFeo announced the addition of three student-athletes this week as part of the Bears 2014 fall recruiting class.
The three players are the second recruiting class for DeFeo after taking over the Bears program back in September of 2012. Jaya Alaan (Diamond Bar, Calif.), Kayla Andrews (West Richland, Wash.), and Meghan Rud (Cumming, Ga.) all signed national letters of intent to become the newest addition to the Mercer Softball team.
"This elite signing class is the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our new coaching staff," DeFeo said. "Stephanie and I have hit the ground running since early summer and these top signees are the result. To be able to bring in top talent from across the country speaks to the new levels of excellence and name recognition that the Mercer softball program is reaching in a very short period of time."
Jaya Alaan – C/UT – Diamond Bar, Calif. – Diamond Ranch High School
Alaan is talented catcher and fielder who started her career at Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, Calif. under head coach Jesse Mendez. She spent two seasons at Bishop Amat, helping the Lancers to two league championships. She then spent her junior and senior seasons at Diamond Ranch High School in Diamond Bar, Calif. under head coach Rick Alcantar. At Diamond Ranch, she earned All-League Academic and Second Team All-League honors. Alaan also played for the Firecrackers, a club team led by head coach Jeff Blanco.
Coach DeFeo on Alaan – "Jaya is an incredible athlete that has played at the top levels of travel ball in California for practically her entire career. She is the epitome of a 'team first' player, with an unmatched work ethic. Jaya makes everyone around her a better softball player. She is truly multi-talented on the field, as she can play in the outfield and infield as well as being rock-solid behind the plate."
Meghan Rud – SS/OF – Cumming, Ga. – South Forsyth High School
Rud is a four-year letterwinner out of South Forsyth High School, where she played under head coach Ronnie Davis. During her time as a War Eagle, Rud racked up an impressive list of honors including All-Region (2010-2013), All-County (2010-2012), All-State (2011-2012), Region Player of the Year (2011-2013) and County Player of the Year (2011-2012). She also helped her Amateur Softball Association team, the Atlanta Vipers under head coach Todd Jennings, to both state and national championships.
Coach DeFeo on Rud - "Meghan is arguably one of the best athletes in the entire state of Georgia. She can do it all, both offensively and defensively. Meghan has speed, touch and power from the left side of the plate and runs the bases with natural instincts that is very rare these days. Meghan has incredible range at shortstop with a great arm to match, but also has incredible reads and angles in the outfield. She will be an asset to the Bears wherever she lands on the field."
Kayla Andrews – P – West Richland, Wash. – Righland High School
Andrews is a four-year letterwinner out of Richland High School, where she played under head coach Casey Amery. During her career, she was known as a big hitter with a very powerful arm. She helped her team place third in state her junior year and fifth in state her senior year. Andrews was a part of the Washington Angels under head coach Bob Benson, as well as the Washington Force, where she helped her club team win the state championship in 2012.
Coach DeFeo on Andrews - "Kayla is power pitcher that also swings a huge bat. She will bolster our pitching staff and reload the offensive lineup with her power potential. If Kayla isn't pitching, she will be an asset at the plate as well as in the field."
