PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers softball head coach Kristen Bulter has announced the signing of eight student-athletes to national letters of intent to join the Scarlet Knight family beginning with the 2024-25 academic year.
 

MEET THE NEW SOFTBALL SCARLET KNIGHTS

 

BAILEIGH BURTIS
5-8 | Infield | R/R 
Friendswood, Texas | Friendswood HS
Club: Strykers National Esparza

 
AROUND THE BASES:

• District Champion and Third Round 5A Area Finals (2023)
• Two-time First Team All-District Infield (2023 & 2022)
• Two-time First Team All-County Infield (2023 & 2022)
• First Team All-State Infield 5A (2022)
• District Co-Champion and Fourth Round 5A Area Regional Semifinal (2022)
• District Newcomer of the Year (2021)
• District Co-Champion and Third Roundd 5A Area Finals (2021)
• Three-time District All-Academic Honors (2023, 2022 & 2021)
• Hit .405 as a junior and .413 as a sophomore

PERSONAL:

• Daughter of Brandon and Kendra Burtis
• Has one brother, Blaine
• Distinguished Scholar Award
• National Honor Society President
• National Technical Honor Society
• National English Society
• Plans to major in political science with a career in law

Burtis On Choosing Rutgers: "I fell in love with Rutgers as soon as I got on campus. The coaching staff and players I met were incredible, and the school was everything and more I could dream of."
 
Head Coach Kristen Butler on Burtis: "Baileigh is an infielder who can play multiple positions. She is a power hitter and will be a great addition for us. We look forward to watching Baileigh compete with us! Welcome to The Banks Baileigh!"
 

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JAYLA FULLER
5-5 | Outfield/Utility | R/R
Conyers, Georgia/Heritage HS
Club: D1vision

AROUND THE BASES:

• Defensive Player of The Year
• Rising Star Award Offensive Award MVP
• Four-Time All Region
• Batted .453 as a freshman helping team to playoffs and followed up hitting .515 as a sophomore and.535 as a junior

PERSONAL:

• Daughter of Rico and Gracie Fuller
• Has one sister, Mya
• Honor Roll With Distinction Principles List
• National Honors Society
• Plans to major in biology with goal of becoming a dentist

Fuller On Choosing Rutgers: "I loved the overall environment and everything just felt so at home."
 
Head Coach Kristen Butler on Fuller: "Jayla is an outstanding outfielder with the ability to get down the line quickly and covers a lot of ground. She is also very versatile at the plate. We are excited to have Jayla 'On The Banks' for the next four years!"

 

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ELLA HARRISON
5-7 | Pitcher | R/R
Clarence, N.Y./Clarence HS
Club: Beverly Bandits

 

AROUND THE BASES:

• 2023 New York State Class AA Player of the Year
• First Team All-State (2023)
• First Team All-Western New York (2023)
• ECIC First Team (2023)
• First Team All-Bee (2023)
• Class AA State Champion (2022)
• Class AA Sectional Champion (2023 & 2021)
• Threw 134 strikeouts in 84 innings pitched with a 1.50 ERA while hitting .382 with 19 singles, six doubles and a triple as a junior (2023)
• Pitched 11 innings in state championship shutout (2023)

PERSONAL:

• Daughter of Geoffrey and Kathleen Harrison
• Has two brothers, William and Nathan
• National Honor Society
• Undecided on a major

Harrison On Choosing Rutgers: "I fell in love with Rutgers on my first visit. Everyone was so welcoming and the campus feel was exactly what I was looking for. At Rutgers I have the opportunity to be part of a strong and supportive academic environment while playing the game I love at a highly competitive level. It's the perfect fit."
 
Head Coach Kristen Butler on Harrison:  "Ella is a phenomenal pitcher who will be a game changer for us. She has had great success in the circle and in the classroom. We look forward to watching Ella flourish here! Welcome to the Scarlet Knight family!"

 

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KELSEY HOEKSTRA
5-10 | First Base/Pitcher | R/R
Overland Park, Kansas/Shawnee Mission North
Club: Select Fast Pitch

 

AROUND THE BASES:

• Pitcher of the Year Sunflower League (2023)
• First Team All-State (2023 & 2022)
• All-Sunflower First Team Honors (2023, 2022 & 2021)
• State quarterfinalist helping team to 20-2 record (2023)
• Picked up 202 strikeouts in 112 innings pitched with a 1.00 ERA and hit .476 with 21 runs  (2023)
• Shawnee Mission North MVP (2023)
• Second Team All-State (2021)
• Shawnee Mission North Defensive Player of the Year (2021)

PERSONAL:

• Daughter of Paul and Anita Hoekstra
• Dad played baseball and mom played basketball and softball at Ottawa University in Kansas
• Has one sister, Siera
• Plans to major in criminal justice with a career as a criminologist

Hoekstra On Choosing Rutgers: "I choose Rutgers because of the resources the school has both academically and athletically."
 
Head Coach Kristen Butler on Hoekstra:  ""Kelsey is a pitcher who also hits from the left side. She has played travel ball at a very high level and will bring a lot of experience to the team. She is a threat in the circle and at the plate! Welcome to the Scarlet Knights family!"
 

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JAYDEN HUTCHISON
5-4 | Catcher | R/R
Traphill, N.C./East Wilkes HS
Club: Lady Lighting Gold

AROUND THE BASES:

• Northwest 1A Player of the Year (2022)
• NCHSAA Softball 1A Champion (2022)
• Hit .554 with a .647 on-base percentage behind 36 hits, 44 RBIs and 32 runs scored (2023)
• Three-time All-Conference
• All-District
• All-State
• Also played volleyball and wrestling

PERSONAL:

• Daughter of Derek and Brooke Hutchison
• Has one brother, Trey
• Plans to major in exercise science with goal of becoming a personal trainer

Hutchison On Choosing Rutgers: "I chose Rutgers because it felt like home when I stepped on campus and I knew I would be in great hands with my education and athletics. Another reason is that my absolute best friend, Stephanie Kraska, is also at Rutgers!"

Head Coach Kristen Butler on Hutchison: "Jayden will add depth and experience as a catcher. She is an awesome teammate and a strong hitter from the right side. We are excited to have Jayden here at Rutgers University!"
 

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RILEY HWANG
5-5 | Infield | R/R
Aldie, Virginia/Lightridge HS
Club: EC Bullets Cornett

AROUND THE BASES:

• 2024 Extra Elite Top 100
• Hit . 429 with a .529 on-base percentage with six home runs
• Female Athlete of the Year
• All-District
• All-Region
• Softball MVP
• Basketball MVP

PERSONAL:

• Daughter of Ukyong and Renae Hwang
• Has two sisters, Reese and Reagan
• National Honor Society
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• Plans to major in finance

Hwang On Choosing Rutgers: "I chose Rutgers because everything about the school and the softball program checks off every box on my list. I love how I am able to get a great education at a prestigious school while also getting to play softball at a very high level in a Power 5 conference. I am very excited for the new opportunities that Rutgers has to offer!"
 
Head Coach Kristen Butler on Hwang:  "Riley is an infielder who will add depth to multiple positions for us. Riley is a multifaceted player both in the field and at the plate. We look forward to watching Riley grow and compete here! Welcome to the Scarlet Knight family!"

 

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DEZARIA JOHNSON
5-9 | Pitcher | R/R
Covington, Georgia/Eastside
Club: Virginia Unity

AROUND THE BASES:

• Ranked No. 20 in 2024 Extra Elite 100
• Region Pitcher of the Year (2022)
• Pitcher of the Year (2023 & 2022)
• Two-time Team 8AAAAAAll-Region (2023 & 2022)
• Newcomer of the Year (2022)

PERSONAL:

• Daughter of Brandy Johnson
• Cousin Eric Stokes played for the Green Bay Packers
• Honor Roll
• Planning to major in pre-PT

Johnson On Choosing Rutgers: "I chose Rutgers because when I visited, it immediately felt like home."
 
Head Coach Kristen Butler on Johnson:  "Dezaria is a fierce competitor in the circle and at the plate. She brings the excitement on the field and we can't wait to watch her in the Scarlet Knights uniform! Welcome to Rutgers!!"
 

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ADDIE OSBORNE
5-4 | Infield | R/R
Erie, Colorado/Erie HS
Club: Colorado Stars Gold

 

AROUND THE BASES:

• 5A State Player of the Year (2023)
• First Team 5A All-State (2023)
• Conference Player of the Year (2023)
• Erie Offensive Player of the Year (2023)
• All-State Honorable Mention (2022)
• State runner-up (2023)
• Three-time Regional Champion (2023, 2022 & 2021)
• First Team All-Conference (2023 & 2022)
• Erie MVP (2023)
• First Team All-Region (2022)
• State semifinalist (2022)
• League Champion (2022)
• State quarterfinalist (2021)
• Honorable Mention All-Conference (2021)
• Erie Most Improved (2021)
• During scholastic career hit .452 with 134 runs, 131 hits, 160 RBIs , 38 home runs, .993 slugging percentage and 1.509 OPS
• HIt .400 with 19 hits, 14 RBIs and three home runs as freshman
• Batted .440 with 37 runs, 40 hits, 58 RBIs, nine home runs and 1.000 slugging percentage her sophomore season
• As a junior hit .418 with 37 runs, 33 hits, 34 RBIs and seven home runs
• Hit .518 as a senior behind 41 runs, 44 hits, 58 RBIs and 19 home run, 1.305 slugging percentage and 1.890 OPS
• Tennis state qualifier 
• First Team All-Academic

PERSONAL:

• Daughter of Gary and Angie Osbourne
• Has two sisters, Emma and Chloe
• Grandmother played softball, basketball and volleyball at UCLA
• Grandfather played football at San Jose State
• Principal's List
• Dean's List
• Planning to major in journalism and media studies/sports journalism with a goal to go into sports broadcasting

Osborne On Choosing Rutgers: "The Coaching staff are some of the greatest people and I can't think of many other people I would want to play for. Campus is beautiful and there are so many academic opportunities to set me up for the rest of my life."
 
Head Coach Kristen Butler on Osborne: "Addie is a fiery competitor in the infield who hits for power and has a cannon of an arm. She will add a lot of versatility to the infield. We are excited to have Addie 'On The Banks'!"

 

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