Softball Signs Five To National Letters of Intent
Nov 13 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers softball head coach Kristen Butler has announced the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to join the Scarlet Knight program for the 2020-21 season.
"This class has great power and speed," said Butler, entering her second season "On The Banks", of the signees. "They all will grow into great leaders for the Rutgers softball program and work on leading us to a championship. The next four years with these student-athletes will be bright and our staff is proud and excited to add them to our family."
Kayla Bock
Infielder
5'10 | R/R
Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area Senior High School
PRIOR TO RUTGERS: Esmark All-American … Invited to played with American International Sports Teams to represent the US … Earned First Team All-Chesmont and First Team All-Area honors … Made her third district berth with Coatesville batting .318 with a trio of home runs as a junior in 2019 … As a sophomore in 2018, batted .535 with nine home runs in 23 games … During her freshman campaign in 2017, guided Coatesville to the Chesmont Championship along with district and state berths hitting .519 with 10 home runs … Is expected to surpass the 100-hit mark as a senior in 2020 having already totaled 22 home runs, 87 hits and 72 RBIs … Also played with the Valley Forge Patriots Gold … A district and state qualifier in swimming …
PERSONAL: Daughter of Charlie and Roxanne … Has two sisters, Kensley and Kharlie … Member of the National Honor Society … Looking to major in sport management.
BOCK ON CHOOSING RUTGERS: "I chose Rutgers softball because not only as an athlete, but as a student, I will be given great opportunities to succeed throughout the university. I am excited to play under a coaching staff that is preparing us and driving us to bring home a Big Ten Championship. I can't wait to compete at a higher level and, most importantly, give my two little sisters someone to look up to as they get older."
COACH BUTLER ON KAYLA BOCK: "Kayla is a good student and great athlete with a lot of power in her bat. She is a great vocal leader on the field as well. We are so excited to be adding her power to the lineup."
Leilani Chavez
Outfield
5'3 | L/R
Covina, Calif./Charter Oak High School
PRIOR TO RUTGERS: San Gabriel Valley Tribune Second Team All-Area as a junior in 2019 … First Team All-League …. Helped Charter Oak High School to the CIF playoffs, including a quarterfinal appearance as a freshman … Also played with the California Cruisers …
PERSONAL: Daughter of Tami and Juan … Sister, Kalie, played softball at Biola University and sister, Marissa, is junior shortstop at BYU … Looking to major in public health.
CHAVEZ ON CHOOSING RUTGERS: "I chose Rutgers because of its academics, great softball program and I love the coaching staff."
COACH BUTLER ON LEILANI CHAVEZ: "We have been watching Lei for a long time and have seen her grow into a great softball player. She has a ton of speed that will add diversity to our lineup and her defense is stellar."
Megan Herka
First Base
5'8" | L/L
Edison, N.J./Bishop George Ahr High School
PRIOR TO RUTGERS: Two-time NJ.com Player Greater Middlesex Player of the Year in 2019 and 2018 at Bishop George Ahr High School in nearby Edison … Batted .608 with 27 runs, 19 RBIs, nine doubles and six home runs as a junior in 2019 … Also named First Team All-State, All-County and All-Division helping her team to a second-straight Greater Middlesex County Championship title … Broke the school record with 12 home runs to go along with a Greater Middlesex County Championship as a sophomore in 2018 hitting .635 and driving in 34 runs … Was also an All-Division, All-County Non-Public A Second Team and Jersey Sports Player of the Week … As a freshman in 2017 was named All-Division and All-Country … Also played with Pennsylvania Chaos Gold Spina … Won the 2018 Great Middlesex County Championships in basketball as a senior …
PERSONAL: Daughter of Matthew and Loren … Mother played softball at William Paterson University … Has one sister, Alison … NJSIAA representative... Looking to major in sport management.
HERKA ON CHOOSING RUTGERS: "I chose Rutgers because my goal as a student-athlete is to be an impact softball player on a Division I program. Rutgers provides me with the opportunity to play in a Power 5 Conference while at the same time obtaining a tremendous education."
COACH BUTLER ON MEGAN HURKA: "Herka is a powerful force at bat hitting from the left side and has a great glove at first base. She is our hometown kid and we are excited to welcome her on campus."
Kobie Hura
Utility
5'5" | R/R
Chino, Calif./Ruben S. Ayala High School
PRIOR TO RUTGERS: Three-time Ruben S. Ayala High School team captain guiding her squad to the Palomares League Championships and CIF Southern Section Softball Championship semifinals behind a .411 batting average with 39 hits and 22 RBIs as a junior in 2019… Earned First Team All-Palomares League and Ayala High School Athlete of the Year …
PERSONAL: Daughter of Ryan and Cynthia … Has two brothers, Max and Mason … Looking to major in business.
HURA ON CHOOSING RUTGERS: "I chose Rutgers because it felt like home with all the academic and athletic support. I am also in love with the campus and variety of majors. Being from California, I am excited for the new adventures and opportunities that Rutgers has to offer."
Follow Rutgers softball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"This class has great power and speed," said Butler, entering her second season "On The Banks", of the signees. "They all will grow into great leaders for the Rutgers softball program and work on leading us to a championship. The next four years with these student-athletes will be bright and our staff is proud and excited to add them to our family."
Kayla Bock
Infielder
5'10 | R/R
Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area Senior High School
PRIOR TO RUTGERS: Esmark All-American … Invited to played with American International Sports Teams to represent the US … Earned First Team All-Chesmont and First Team All-Area honors … Made her third district berth with Coatesville batting .318 with a trio of home runs as a junior in 2019 … As a sophomore in 2018, batted .535 with nine home runs in 23 games … During her freshman campaign in 2017, guided Coatesville to the Chesmont Championship along with district and state berths hitting .519 with 10 home runs … Is expected to surpass the 100-hit mark as a senior in 2020 having already totaled 22 home runs, 87 hits and 72 RBIs … Also played with the Valley Forge Patriots Gold … A district and state qualifier in swimming …
PERSONAL: Daughter of Charlie and Roxanne … Has two sisters, Kensley and Kharlie … Member of the National Honor Society … Looking to major in sport management.
BOCK ON CHOOSING RUTGERS: "I chose Rutgers softball because not only as an athlete, but as a student, I will be given great opportunities to succeed throughout the university. I am excited to play under a coaching staff that is preparing us and driving us to bring home a Big Ten Championship. I can't wait to compete at a higher level and, most importantly, give my two little sisters someone to look up to as they get older."
COACH BUTLER ON KAYLA BOCK: "Kayla is a good student and great athlete with a lot of power in her bat. She is a great vocal leader on the field as well. We are so excited to be adding her power to the lineup."
Leilani Chavez
Outfield
5'3 | L/R
Covina, Calif./Charter Oak High School
PRIOR TO RUTGERS: San Gabriel Valley Tribune Second Team All-Area as a junior in 2019 … First Team All-League …. Helped Charter Oak High School to the CIF playoffs, including a quarterfinal appearance as a freshman … Also played with the California Cruisers …
PERSONAL: Daughter of Tami and Juan … Sister, Kalie, played softball at Biola University and sister, Marissa, is junior shortstop at BYU … Looking to major in public health.
CHAVEZ ON CHOOSING RUTGERS: "I chose Rutgers because of its academics, great softball program and I love the coaching staff."
COACH BUTLER ON LEILANI CHAVEZ: "We have been watching Lei for a long time and have seen her grow into a great softball player. She has a ton of speed that will add diversity to our lineup and her defense is stellar."
Megan Herka
First Base
5'8" | L/L
Edison, N.J./Bishop George Ahr High School
PRIOR TO RUTGERS: Two-time NJ.com Player Greater Middlesex Player of the Year in 2019 and 2018 at Bishop George Ahr High School in nearby Edison … Batted .608 with 27 runs, 19 RBIs, nine doubles and six home runs as a junior in 2019 … Also named First Team All-State, All-County and All-Division helping her team to a second-straight Greater Middlesex County Championship title … Broke the school record with 12 home runs to go along with a Greater Middlesex County Championship as a sophomore in 2018 hitting .635 and driving in 34 runs … Was also an All-Division, All-County Non-Public A Second Team and Jersey Sports Player of the Week … As a freshman in 2017 was named All-Division and All-Country … Also played with Pennsylvania Chaos Gold Spina … Won the 2018 Great Middlesex County Championships in basketball as a senior …
PERSONAL: Daughter of Matthew and Loren … Mother played softball at William Paterson University … Has one sister, Alison … NJSIAA representative... Looking to major in sport management.
HERKA ON CHOOSING RUTGERS: "I chose Rutgers because my goal as a student-athlete is to be an impact softball player on a Division I program. Rutgers provides me with the opportunity to play in a Power 5 Conference while at the same time obtaining a tremendous education."
COACH BUTLER ON MEGAN HURKA: "Herka is a powerful force at bat hitting from the left side and has a great glove at first base. She is our hometown kid and we are excited to welcome her on campus."
Kobie Hura
Utility
5'5" | R/R
Chino, Calif./Ruben S. Ayala High School
PRIOR TO RUTGERS: Three-time Ruben S. Ayala High School team captain guiding her squad to the Palomares League Championships and CIF Southern Section Softball Championship semifinals behind a .411 batting average with 39 hits and 22 RBIs as a junior in 2019… Earned First Team All-Palomares League and Ayala High School Athlete of the Year …
PERSONAL: Daughter of Ryan and Cynthia … Has two brothers, Max and Mason … Looking to major in business.
HURA ON CHOOSING RUTGERS: "I chose Rutgers because it felt like home with all the academic and athletic support. I am also in love with the campus and variety of majors. Being from California, I am excited for the new adventures and opportunities that Rutgers has to offer."
Follow Rutgers softball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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