RENO, Nev. - Coming off back-to-back WAC Championships, the University of Nevada softball team has signed four high school standouts to National Letters of Intent, second-year coach Matt Meuchel announced today.
"We are excited about the 2010 class, each of them individually as well as collectively," Meuchel said. "We have continued to be able to add athleticism to our roster with this group. Every player in this class has the ability to play multiple positions for us here at Nevada. Maybe the biggest statement about the athleticism of this class is the fact that the only pitcher we signed can play several other defensive positions and hit in the middle of our lineup. One of the other things that we love about this class is that each of the players will bring a blue-collar work ethic and pride themselves in outworking the competition."
The class consists of: Bailey Brewer, a pitcher/utility player from Sedro Woolley High School in Mt. Vernon, Wash.; Caylin Campbell, a second baseman from Westlake High School in Westlake Village, Calif.; Karley Hopkins, a second baseman/outfielder from Spanish Springs High School in Sparks, Nev.; and Wendy Tamayo, a catcher/utility player from Mater Dei Catholic High School in Chula Vista, Calif.
Coach Meuchel on Bailey Brewer:
"Not very often do you find players that can contribute on both sides of the ball as much as Bailey," Meuchel said. "We expect her to have a great career for us on the mound and win many ball games in her Nevada career. She also brings the ability to play an integral role in our offense. She has great power on the mound and at the plate. Her being able to hit will provide a lot of flexibility to our lineup and will certainly make our offense better."
Coach Meuchel on Caylin Campbell:
"We feel that Caylin is one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the 2010 class," Meuchel said. "Caylin presents so many different ways to beat teams at the plate and on the base paths. She will be a huge catalyst for our offense during her career at Nevada as Caylin will provide an energy for our team, both offensively and defensively, that every team needs to be successful."
Coach Meuchel on Karley Hopkins:
"Karley is a great player who steadily goes about making plays every time she is on the field, both at the plate and in the field," Meuchel said. "Karley brings a ton of versatility to our lineup, both in her ability to play multiple defensive positions and in her ability to slap, bunt, and hit from the left side. She has grown up loving Nevada softball and attending every home game. To see her live out her dream of playing at Nevada is a special opportunity."
Coach Meuchel on Wendy Tamayo:
"Wendy is a great athlete who can play multiple positions besides being a catcher," Meuchel said. "Wendy is a hard-nosed player who will do whatever it takes to win ball games and we look forward to having her behind the plate with that competitive desire. She has a wealth of big-game experience and is a clutch player who always wants to be at the plate when the game is on the line. We are looking forward to her contribution to our program."
The Wolf Pack went 40-19 overall in 2009 and claimed a share of its second straight Western Athletic Conference title with a 15-5 league record. Nevada received an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament, where it competed at the Palo Alto (Calif.) regional. Nevada returns 10 letterwinners from the 2009 team, including four All-WAC selections led by Pitcher of the Year Katie Holverson. Nevada, led by four seniors, will open the 2010 season in February at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.
