The University of Maine softball team has two Californians among the four recruits that will join the program next fall.
Izzy Nieblas is a first baseman from Bakersfield, California, and Jasmine Gray is an infielder from Whittier, California, who can play a variety of positions. They both play for the OC Batbusters travel team.
They will be joined by outfielder-infielder Mariah Pearson from Mooresville, North Carolina, and pitcher Caitlyn Fallon from Warwick, Rhode Island.
“They will fit in nicely with what will be brought in this year,” said Maine coach Mike Coutts, who has a 10-member freshman class this season.
Nieblas helped lead Stockdale High School to a 45-0 record and three league championships while earning first team all-conference honors. The left-handed-hitting Nieblas was named to the 2018 All-State Underclassmen team.
“What attracted us to Izzy was her bat speed. She’s a real good hitter, and she’s also a good fielder. And she has good speed,” Coutts said.
Gray has hit .350 through her first three seasons at La Serna High School, and ia s two-time all-league first teamer and the 2018 Offensive Player of the Year.
“Jasmine swings a good bat, too, and she can play shortstop and third base,” Coutts said.
Pearson is a career .438 hitter at Mooresville High School and a two-time All-Conference, All-District and All-State choice. Coutts said he learned about her from former Brewer High standout pitcher Ronnie Hewes, whose daughter plays on the same travel team as Pearson.
“She’s a good hitter with good speed. She’s also a great competitor and a hard worker,” Coutts said.
Fallon had an ERA under 2.00 throughout her first three seasons of high school, and she has earned three All-Division and two All-State honors.
“She throws hard, and she also has a really good changeup. She can also hit. She’s a two-way player. She has a huge upside,” Coutts said.