Indiana Softball Announces 2021 Signing Class
11/16/2020 9:16:00 AM | Softball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana Softball announced its 2021 signing class last week, as three high school seniors from Indiana, and one from Alabama have signed their National Letters of Intent to join the program.
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"We continue to attract the best and brightest homegrown Hoosiers having eight of our nine signees over the past two recruiting classes hail from our great state of Indiana. We were able to secure two power hitting pitchers and two talented, athletic outfielders. All four of these athletes have played at a high level with reputable organizations. In addition, these young women have the competitive spirit and discipline to succeed at the next level. We have enjoyed getting to know their supportive families and are proud to welcome them to the Indiana Softball family."
Brianna Copeland
P/IF | Pelham, Ala. | Pelham High School
Brianna Copeland will join Indiana upon graduation from Pelham High School in Alabama in the spring. In varsity ball she has posted a 2.71 career ERA, 155 K's, 11 wins and has been awarded Defensive Player of the Year. In travel ball with the EC Bullets – Thrash she won the 2020 Scenic City Championship. Copeland is ranked No. 88 in the Extra Inning Softball 2021 Class.
The daughter of Carol and Terry, Copeland plans to major in Architecture at Indiana University.
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"One quick look at Brianna and you see her power and versatility. She is a hard throwing pitcher, and an athletic shortstop with a strong arm. Bri can swing it at the plate and plays the game hard. Her toughness on the field and strong mindset will make it fun to watch her compete."
Heather Johnson
P/IF | Lafayette, Ind. | McCutcheon High School
A left hander from Lafayette, Indiana, Heather Johnson will join the team upon graduating from McCutcheon High School in spring. In her 2019 varsity season, she posted a .559 batting average and 32 RBI's while in the circle collecting 93 K's, 10 wins and a no-hitter. She was named Frist Team All-Conference and Big-School All-Area for 2019 and 2018 after leading her squad in batting average, on-base percentage and strikeouts in the circle for both seasons. In her 2020 travel ball season with Indiana Magic Gold, Johnson posted a 2.60 ERA, 98 K's and a 1.1 WHIP over 102 innings pitched. This while averaging .352 at the plate collecting 31 RBI's. Johnson is ranked in the top 75 by Extra Inning's Softball.
Off the field, Johnson became part of the National Honor Society in 2020, has been part of the AB Honor Roll since 2017 and is an Academic Hall of Famer.
The daughter of Sue and Bill Johnson, she has one brother, Jacob. Johnson plans to major in Kinesiology at Indiana.
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"Heather has great size and is that coveted lefty pitcher, lefty hitter combo. She swings a big bat and will do damage in the heart of the line-up. She is a consistent performer on both side's of the ball. Her drive and maturity on the mound are strong indicators of her ability to elevate her game.
Kinsey Mitchell
OF | New Palestine, Ind. | New Palestine High School
A native of New Palestine, Indiana, Kinsey Mitchell will join the team upon graduation in spring. In 2018, she led her varsity roster in steals and posted a .350 batting average while leading New Palestine to the state and conference championship. She also won the state title as a freshman with the squad. In travel ball with the Beverly Bandits Demarini 18U – Moran, Mitchell's team won the PGF King of the Hill and the PGF Top Gun Select Invite in 2020. This season she batted .475 with an OBP of .512. Extra Innings Softball ranked Mitchell 79th in the 2021 class and 20th in 2019 for outfielders.
Off the field, Mitchell has been a member of the National Honor Society since 2019.
The daughter of Kelly White and Todd Mitchell, she has one brother, Ty. Mitchell plans to major in Business at Indiana University.
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"Kinsey committed prior to the rule change, and we have enjoyed watching her with eager anticipation of the signing date. She will be a true triple threat and playmaker within our system. She is a fast, dynamic athlete with great range and a strong softball IQ. Love her competitiveness and passion for the game.
Taylor Minnick
OF | Bloomington, Ind. | Edgewood High School
Taylor Minnick will join IU Softball upon graduation from Edgewood High School here in Bloomington where she holds the single season school records in batting average (.538), hits (51) and doubles (15) from her 2018 season. Leading her team to a 2018 sectional championship, she has also been named All-Conference, HT All-Area and team MVP. In travel ball with the Beverly Bandits, Minnick led her team to a PGF 16U Premier Championship in 2019, and was named to the PGF All-American Team. She is ranked 50th nationally in the 2021 class by Extra Innings Softball.
The daughter of Angela and Todd Minnick, she has one brother, Zach. Her grandfather is an alumnus of IU. Minnick plans to major in Kinesiology at Indiana University.
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"Taylor has had big moments on the travel ball scene and now she will have the opportunity to shine in her own backyard; we are glad she decided to stay home. She is a powerful lefty and clutch performer. Her confidence and proven success will contribute to her growth as an impact player.
For all the latest on Indiana University Softball, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaSB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"We continue to attract the best and brightest homegrown Hoosiers having eight of our nine signees over the past two recruiting classes hail from our great state of Indiana. We were able to secure two power hitting pitchers and two talented, athletic outfielders. All four of these athletes have played at a high level with reputable organizations. In addition, these young women have the competitive spirit and discipline to succeed at the next level. We have enjoyed getting to know their supportive families and are proud to welcome them to the Indiana Softball family."
Brianna Copeland
P/IF | Pelham, Ala. | Pelham High School
??Introducing a pitcher and infielder from Pelham, Alabama, Brianna Copeland!#IUSoftball | #GoIU ???? pic.twitter.com/MXoaRsPXWu
— Indiana Softball (@IndianaSB) November 12, 2020
Brianna Copeland will join Indiana upon graduation from Pelham High School in Alabama in the spring. In varsity ball she has posted a 2.71 career ERA, 155 K's, 11 wins and has been awarded Defensive Player of the Year. In travel ball with the EC Bullets – Thrash she won the 2020 Scenic City Championship. Copeland is ranked No. 88 in the Extra Inning Softball 2021 Class.
The daughter of Carol and Terry, Copeland plans to major in Architecture at Indiana University.
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"One quick look at Brianna and you see her power and versatility. She is a hard throwing pitcher, and an athletic shortstop with a strong arm. Bri can swing it at the plate and plays the game hard. Her toughness on the field and strong mindset will make it fun to watch her compete."
Heather Johnson
P/IF | Lafayette, Ind. | McCutcheon High School
??Introducing a pitcher and infielder from Lafayette, Indiana, Heather Johnson! #IUSoftball | #GoIU ???? pic.twitter.com/So89NBeGNI
— Indiana Softball (@IndianaSB) November 12, 2020
A left hander from Lafayette, Indiana, Heather Johnson will join the team upon graduating from McCutcheon High School in spring. In her 2019 varsity season, she posted a .559 batting average and 32 RBI's while in the circle collecting 93 K's, 10 wins and a no-hitter. She was named Frist Team All-Conference and Big-School All-Area for 2019 and 2018 after leading her squad in batting average, on-base percentage and strikeouts in the circle for both seasons. In her 2020 travel ball season with Indiana Magic Gold, Johnson posted a 2.60 ERA, 98 K's and a 1.1 WHIP over 102 innings pitched. This while averaging .352 at the plate collecting 31 RBI's. Johnson is ranked in the top 75 by Extra Inning's Softball.
Off the field, Johnson became part of the National Honor Society in 2020, has been part of the AB Honor Roll since 2017 and is an Academic Hall of Famer.
The daughter of Sue and Bill Johnson, she has one brother, Jacob. Johnson plans to major in Kinesiology at Indiana.
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"Heather has great size and is that coveted lefty pitcher, lefty hitter combo. She swings a big bat and will do damage in the heart of the line-up. She is a consistent performer on both side's of the ball. Her drive and maturity on the mound are strong indicators of her ability to elevate her game.
Kinsey Mitchell
OF | New Palestine, Ind. | New Palestine High School
??It's official! So excited to welcome our Signing Class for 2021! Introducing an outfielder from New Palestine, Indiana, Kinsey Mitchell! #IUSoftball | #GoIU ???? pic.twitter.com/w3Dmea0gBJ
— Indiana Softball (@IndianaSB) November 12, 2020
A native of New Palestine, Indiana, Kinsey Mitchell will join the team upon graduation in spring. In 2018, she led her varsity roster in steals and posted a .350 batting average while leading New Palestine to the state and conference championship. She also won the state title as a freshman with the squad. In travel ball with the Beverly Bandits Demarini 18U – Moran, Mitchell's team won the PGF King of the Hill and the PGF Top Gun Select Invite in 2020. This season she batted .475 with an OBP of .512. Extra Innings Softball ranked Mitchell 79th in the 2021 class and 20th in 2019 for outfielders.
Off the field, Mitchell has been a member of the National Honor Society since 2019.
The daughter of Kelly White and Todd Mitchell, she has one brother, Ty. Mitchell plans to major in Business at Indiana University.
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"Kinsey committed prior to the rule change, and we have enjoyed watching her with eager anticipation of the signing date. She will be a true triple threat and playmaker within our system. She is a fast, dynamic athlete with great range and a strong softball IQ. Love her competitiveness and passion for the game.
Taylor Minnick
OF | Bloomington, Ind. | Edgewood High School
??Introducing an outfielder from right here in Bloomington, Indiana, Taylor Minnick! #IUSoftball | #GoIU ???? pic.twitter.com/OJxN5c8hpq
— Indiana Softball (@IndianaSB) November 12, 2020
Taylor Minnick will join IU Softball upon graduation from Edgewood High School here in Bloomington where she holds the single season school records in batting average (.538), hits (51) and doubles (15) from her 2018 season. Leading her team to a 2018 sectional championship, she has also been named All-Conference, HT All-Area and team MVP. In travel ball with the Beverly Bandits, Minnick led her team to a PGF 16U Premier Championship in 2019, and was named to the PGF All-American Team. She is ranked 50th nationally in the 2021 class by Extra Innings Softball.
The daughter of Angela and Todd Minnick, she has one brother, Zach. Her grandfather is an alumnus of IU. Minnick plans to major in Kinesiology at Indiana University.
From Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"Taylor has had big moments on the travel ball scene and now she will have the opportunity to shine in her own backyard; we are glad she decided to stay home. She is a powerful lefty and clutch performer. Her confidence and proven success will contribute to her growth as an impact player.
For all the latest on Indiana University Softball, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaSB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
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